*North Augusta, SC* – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) got positive debuts from recently added players, but fell to the Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals) 9-3 on Wednesday night. Columbia (16-16, 51-46) used a three-run fifth and four-run seventh to secure the result, while Augusta (14-17, 45-51) once again was profligate with men in scoring position.
Before the game, Augusta announced comprehensive changes to their roster, promoting Ronaldo Alesandro, Bryson Worrell, and Andrew Keck to High-A Rome and adding eight new signees. Four of the new arrivals – Jace Grady, Kade Kern, Drew Compton, and Cam Magee – made debuts in Wednesday’s contest.
The Fireflies scored early against Augusta starter Jhancarlos Lara, getting a leadoff double before an eventual sacrifice fly brought the opening run home. Augusta loaded up the bases with one out in the bottom of the first, but Columbia starter Shane Panzini wriggled out of trouble to keep the Jackets scoreless. Columbia got a solo shot from Roger Leyton in the second to double their advantage, before Tyler Collins brought home Cody Acton with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to make it 2-1.
The Fireflies scored three runs in the top of the fifth to chase Jhancarlos Lara, with Brett Squires doubling in a pair and then scoring on a double steal to push it to 5-1. Augusta got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth, once Panzini had departed, as Collins again contributed a sacrifice fly after Dawson Dimon plated a run to close the deficit to 5-3. However, the Fireflies got four runs right back in the seventh, scoring three off of Nolan Martinez and once off of Giomar Diaz to put the game out of reach at 9-3.
Augusta did get solid debut performances from Drew Compton, who walked twice and went 2-3 with a double, and Kade Kern, who singled twice and recorded two outfield assists. Giomar Diaz struck out the final five men he faced in relief.
Augusta remains home this week for four more action-filled games with the Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals)! Braves 2023 1st Round Pick Hurston Waldrep will make his debut on Saturday! Don’t miss out on giveaways, fireworks, and more! To purchase tickets and learn more about the week’s homestand, visit https://www.milb.com/augusta/fans/gj-homestand-preview.).
