FLORENCE - The Columbia Blowfish like these doubleheaders.
For the third time this season, Columbia played two games in one day. And, for the third time, they won the second game in exciting fashion.
Branfry Arias (Tusculum) drove in both Blowfish runs, as Columbia somehow squeaked past the Florence Red Wolves 2-1 Friday night despite getting out-hit and out-pitched at Legion Field.
Columbia's Matt Williams (Liberty) doubled to start off the game in the first inning and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler McBride (Winthrop). Williams then scored on Arias's groundout to shortstop, giving Columbia an early 1-0 lead.
Florence tied it up in the fourth after Steven Neff (South Carolina) doubled, then came around on Barrett Kleinknecht's (Francis Marion) double to even the score 1-1.
The Blowfish took the lead again in the sixth. McBride doubled to right center with one out. Arias then picked up his second RBI of the night with a single to left, scoring McBride to help Columbia retake the lead 2-1.
Florence had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the inning, but came away empty. Myckie Lugbauer (Maine) led off the inning with a walk and Sam DiMatteo (California, Pa) entered the game as a pinch runner. Patrick Dolan (Charleston Southern) then doubled off the wall in right field, moving DiMatteo to third with no outs. Columbia pitcher John Long (Liberty) was then replaced by Brandon McCreery (Armstrong Atlantic), who retired the next three batters in order to escape the situation.
Long (2-2) picked up the win after coming in for starter Stew Brase (Charleston Southern) in the fifth. He gave up two hits and two walks in one inning, but did not allow any runs. Florence's Stephen McCray (Tennessee 5-2) got the hard-luck loss after giving up two runs on just three hits in seven innings. McCray also struck out nine. Drew Mahaffey (Citadel) picked up his fourth save of the season after retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh.
Brase had a solid, although brief, start. In four innings, he gave up just one run on three hits.
In the first game, the Red Wolves hit two home runs, including a grand slam by Brad Raj (Grand Valley St), as Florence whipped Columbia 13-3. Columbia starter Patrick Sullivan (South Carolina 0-4) gave up six runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings to get the loss. Florence's David Haselden (Clemson 4-3) picked up the win with three runs on six hits in six innings.
Notes: It was game two of a doubleheader... Columbia made their final trip to Legion Field. They finish with a 2-4 record in Florence... Arias now has 16 RBIs, second on the team... McBride was 3-for-5 in the doubleheader...The Blowfish will travel to Gastonia Saturday to take on the Grizzlies at 7:05 pm. It will be the only meeting of the season between the clubs.
