Jerry Del Priore
The Columbia Fireflies (5-3) used some extra inning magic from second baseman Edgardo Fermin to upend the Ashville Tourists, 7-5, in a South Atlantic League (SAL) game Thursday night at McCormick Field.
With a runner on second, placed there as per the new minor league extra inning rule, Fermin, a Cyclone in 2017, bashed a double that scored shortstop Gio Alfonzo to put the team ahead, 6-5, over in the top of the tenth frame.
Two hitters later, outfielder Matt Winaker, another former Cyclone, singled to right to plate Fermin to give the Fireflies a 7-5 advantage over the Tourists (1-7).
Reliever Stephen Villines, who played for Brooklyn last season as well, shut the door on the opposition in the bottom of the 10th for the victory. Villines (1-1) tossed three innings of scoreless baseball for the win.
In addition to his game-winning hit, Fermin went 2-6 with a double, triple, four RBI and two runs scored. Centerfielder Quinn Brody, an ex-Cyclone and the New York Mets 2017 third round draft pick, enjoyed an impressive 3-5 day with an RBI.
