*North Augusta, SC* – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) fell to the Columbia Fireflies (Kansas City Royals) in a rain-shortened game on Saturday. Columbia (11-8) emerged victorious 5-2, as Augusta (7-11) celebrated Star Wars™ Night in front of a sold-out SRP Park.
The GreenJackets sent out JR Ritchie for the mound on Star Wars Night, as he entered the game to Duel of the Fates. His Phantom curveball was a Menace to batters all night long, as he struck out five batters on the day. The Fireflies scored twice in the top of the fourth inning off of a handful of errors, including a Rogue One that got away, but the GreenJackets equalized in the bottom of the fourth. It likely felt like an Attack of the Clones for the Fireflies, as last night’s hero E.J. Exposito delivered his second two-run home run against Columbia on the year to make it a 2-2 ballgame.
The Fireflies would get their Revenge (of the Sith) in the top of the next inning, though, as Columbia notched two Solo home runs off of Jorge Bautista (L, 1-1) in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. The imperious Columbia would Strike Back in the top of the seventh, adding one more run to make it 5-2.
After seven complete innings, the game advanced to the eighth, and in the bottom of the inning the GreenJackets were given A New Hope by Ethan Workinger and Justin Janas, who combined to score the third run of the game, making it 5-3. However, The Force of the rain Awakened, and with the potential tying runs on base and go-ahead run at the plate, the tarp came onto the field, and the game became official.
Fans in attendance were treated to a spectacular fireworks display after the game to cap off another sold-out evening at SRP Park. The Star Wars™ celebrations finally came to an end with the myriad references in this release.
The GreenJackets and Fireflies conclude the 8-game series tomorrow with a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 1:35 PM. The GreenJackets will be celebrating Latino culture, debuting their new Pavos Salvajes de Augusta look in Game 2. For tickets, visit the SRP Park box office or greenjacketsbaseball.com.
