Despite a dazzling performance from starting pitcher Logan Samuels, the Augusta GreenJackets dropped their second game of the season in a 3-1 loss to the Columbia Fireflies on Saturday night, April 5.
Samuels, making just his second professional start, was electric on the mound, according to a press release from the Augusta GreenJackets.
The 8th-round draft pick out of the University of Montevallo faced the minimum through five innings, allowing only one hit while striking out multiple batters with pinpoint command.
He retired the first 13 batters of the game and exited after reaching his 70-pitch limit, leaving with Augusta clinging to a slim 1-0 lead.
The GreenJackets’ offense struck early when leadoff hitter John Gil singled, stole second and third bases in a heads-up baserunning sequence, and scored on a Luis Guanipa groundout.
But Augusta’s bats went quiet from there, managing just two more hits for the rest of the game, according to a press release from the Augusta GreenJackets.
Fireflies starter Yunior Marte settled in after the first inning and kept Augusta at bay over 4.2 innings, allowing only one additional hit while striking out five.
Columbia’s bullpen was even more dominant, with Fraynel Nova, Yeri Perez, and Dennis Colleran combining for 4.1 shutout innings and allowing just one hit.
Augusta’s bullpen couldn’t hold the slim lead. Reliever Albert Rivas walked and gave up a single to the first two batters he faced in the sixth but escaped unscathed.
In the seventh, Columbia’s Ramon Ramirez doubled and scored on a clutch RBI single from Stone Russell to tie the game. An inning later, Ramirez struck again, driving in Milo Rushford with a deep shot off the right-center field wall to give Columbia the lead.
Russell would add insurance with a solo home run in the ninth, according to a press release from the Augusta GreenJackets.
Colleran slammed the door in his professional debut, striking out two and retiring all six batters for the save. Rivas was tagged with the loss, while Perez earned the win.
Augusta and Columbia wrap up opening weekend on Sunday with a 5:05 p.m. first pitch.
Brett Sears, a former Nebraska standout, is slated to make his pro debut for the GreenJackets, while Josh Hansell will start for the Fireflies.
