Late Walks Lead to Heartbreaking Loss in Ninth
GreenJackets Media Contact: Noah Adcock-Howeth (803) 349-9411 [email protected] Late Walks Lead to Heartbreaking Loss in Ninth GreenJackets End Win Streak in Series Opener with the Fireflies NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: On a night where the entirety of SRP Park was without internet for most of the evening, the GreenJacket bats were
GreenJackets Media Contact:
Noah Adcock-Howeth
(803) 349-9411
Late Walks Lead to Heartbreaking Loss in Ninth
GreenJackets End Win Streak in Series Opener with the Fireflies
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: On a night where the entirety of SRP Park was without internet for most of the evening, the GreenJacket bats were equally powerless, mustering just three singles as the Fireflies came back late for a 3-2 win.
Augusta’s offense was held in check by 18 year old David Shields, who has established himself as the premier arm in the Carolina League in his first professional season. Shields, facing the Jackets for the third time this summer, turned in his longest outing as a pro, lasting 5.1 innings with three hits against.
Ethan Bagwell was equally impressive for Augusta, scattering soft contact as he himself set a new career high in innings with 6.2 frames. Bagwell allowed seven hits without many barrels, but found himself trailing first after Columbia manufactured a run in the 5th. Yandel Ricardo led off the frame with a hustle double, and took third on a perfect sacrifice bunt from Hyungchan Um. Augusta brought its infield in, but a Baltimore chop off the bat of Stone Russell enabled Ricardo to score the game’s first run without a play.
Shields entered the day having thrown 25 straight innings without an earned run, and worked five scoreless to start the night as that impressive run continued. The Jackets finally cracked through in the bottom of the 6th, letting speed win out for a run-scoring chance. Eric Hartman beat out an infield single, and went first to third on an error from Ricardo at shortstop. With two on and one out, first-round pick Tate Southisene picked a fine time for his first pro hit, roping a two-run single off Shields’ glove to give the Jackets their first lead of the night.
Despite persistent threats from the Fireflies, the Jackets maintained a one-run lead through eight contentious innings. Bagwell’s 6.2 frames were followed by Owen Hackman, who navigated a choppy four outs to keep Augusta in front with three outs to go. Wynston Sawyer entrusted the 9th to Juan Sanchez, and the late-game specialist ran into trouble immediately.
Sanchez walked the first batter he faced, but induced back-to-back strikeouts to put the team on the cusp of its 9th straight win. However, Sanchez lost the plot entirely, ceding two straight walks to load the bases. With the tying run 90 feet away, Sanchez ran the count to 3-2 against Luke Nowak before bouncing a slider for ball four. Sanchez would be promptly removed from the game, but wildness was contagious, and Jhonly Taveras walked the first batter he faced to bring the go-ahead run home.
The GreenJackets mustered no threat in the bottom of the 9th, and watched their longest win streak in seven years come to a heartbreaking end. The Columbia bullpen retired the final 11 men faced, and picked up their fourth win in seven games at SRP Park. The Jackets try to bounce back tomorrow night against 17-year-old phenom Kendry Chourio, with top prospect Cam Caminiti on the mound in what should be another tightly contested pitchers’ duel.
About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. 2025 Augusta GreenJackets Full, Half and 20-game season seat memberships are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to lock in your seat to cheer on the Braves of tomorrow, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467).
For team merchandise or more information visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. Stay up to date on all things GreenJackets and Events at SRP Park by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and sign up for the ‘Jackets Buzz e-newsletter today by visiting https://atmilb.com/3yr4mrw
SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, “playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.
-GreenJackets -