Rain, Red Wolves, Hinder Blowfish 12-2

COLUMBIA- A forty minute rain delay was the least of the Columbia Blowfish's worries as they were smoked by the Florence Red Wolves 12-2 Saturday night before 1,093 fans at Capital City Stadium.

                                                       It was a frustrating day for Columbia

Things started off rough for the Blowfish (5-10) yet again as the Red Wolves' (9-7) Steven Neff (South Carolina) hit a grand slam in the top of the first inning to give Florence a 4-0 lead.

A three-run fourth inning ended the night for Blowfish starter Stew Brase (Charleston Southern, 0-3). The inning was capped off with a two-run double by Cody Briggs (Ozarks) to make it 7-0 Florence.

Jeremiah Meiners (Francis Marion) came in as a reliever in the fourth and pitched three shutout innings before a rain delay was issued in the top of the seventh. After a forty minute wait, Columbia coach Tim Medlin decided to stick with Meiners, who then gave up a three-run homer to Preston Shuey (Francis Marion) as Florence extended their lead 10-0.

Gabe Grammar (Presbyterian) allowed two additional earned runs, one earned, in the eighth as Florence made it 12-0. John Long (Liberty) finally put a run on the board for Columbia with a solo home run to left, his first of the season.

The Blowfish made it 12-2 in the ninth after pinch hitter Trent Still (Anderson) walked and scored on a passed ball.

Florence's David Haselden (Clemson) pitched six shutout innings, giving up only four hits and striking out five to earn the win in his first start. Brase suffered the loss, giving up seven runs, three earned, in 3+ innings.

Notes: It was Cancer Survivor Night at the game...Florence moved into a tie with Wilmington atop the South Division with the win... Trent Still now has six walks in only seven games, second on the team… Nick Chinners got his first start behind the plate for Columbia...Steven Neff was hitless before Saturday, but went 4-for-5 and was a triple short of the cycle... Florence leads the season series between the two teams 3-1… Columbia is off Sunday, but continues their homestand Monday against Wilson. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.