Columbia’s season closes with loss to Rome

The 2017 season came to an end at State Mutual Stadium on Monday. Luis Carpio finished with a pair of hits and pair of RBIs in the finale, but Rome upended the Fireflies, 4-2. Columbia finishes the season with a 68-70 overall mark (40-28 first half – 28-42 second half).

Rome (73-65) jumped ahead in the first inning. Isranel Wilson walked and buzzed to third base on Jordan Rodgers’ single. Two hitters later, Lucas Herbert bashed a single that scored Wilson.

The home team built its lead to 3-0 in the fifth. First, Kevin Josephina scored from third on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Wilson singled and the came all the way on Rodgers’ base hit to left field.

The Fireflies fell behind 4-0 in the seventh but cut the deficit in half the following half inning. Jay Jabs doubled to begin the frame and Oliver Pascual walked. The next batter, Arnaldo Berrios, struck out, but Herbert dropped the baseball. It kicked away from the catcher and both runners moved into scoring position. Carpio ripped a two-run single.