COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Fredericksburg Nationals (18-14, 48-49) split their Saturday doubleheader against the Columbia Fireflies (11-23, 47-53) at Segra Park, avoiding a sweep with a dramatic comeback victory in the second game.
The first contest, a continuation of Friday’s rainout, was a tough outing for the Fredericksburg Nationals. They were shut out 2-0 while managing only two hits—one of which occurred during the paused second inning on Friday. This marked the Fredericksburg Nationals’ tenth shutout loss of the 2025 season, and the team showed little resistance in the defeat.
Game two, a seven-inning affair, appeared headed for a similar outcome early on. Entering the top of the seventh trailing 1-0 and having recorded only one hit by recently activated Wyatt Henseler, the first player from the Nationals’ 2025 draft class to join the team—the Fredericksburg Nationals rallied dramatically.
Luke Dickerson kicked off the rally with a single off first baseman Aldrin Lucas. Kevin Bazzell grounded to third, where Stone Russell’s errant throw to second allowed both runners to reach safely and advance an extra base. With one out, Henseler hit a grounder to first base. Though Aldrin Lucas fielded it cleanly, his throw to the plate was off-target, permitting two runs to score and giving the Fredericksburg Nationals a 2-1 lead—their first runs of the day.
Coming into the bottom of the seventh, energized, Johan Otanez shut down the Fireflies with a dominant scoreless inning. Xander Meckley (5-6) earned the win after six innings of strong pitching, Otanez secured the save (3), and Columbia’s Augusto Mendieta (3-3) took the loss.
With the series now at 3-2 in favor of Columbia, the Fredericksburg Nationals will look to even the series in tomorrow’s game. Bryan Polanco is scheduled to start for the Fredericksburg Nationals at 5:05 p.m. at Segra Park.