Charleston RiverDogs fall to Columbia Fireflies in extra innings

In-state rivals battle in a back-and-forth affair that ends 7-6 for the Fireflies

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:05am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game in sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of navy blue, orange, royal blue, and yellow, representing the intense rivalry between the Charleston RiverDogs and Columbia Fireflies.An abstract artistic interpretation of the heated battle between the Charleston RiverDogs and Columbia Fireflies, two South Carolina minor league rivals fighting for position in the Carolina League.Charleston Today

The Charleston RiverDogs lost a close 7-6 game to the Columbia Fireflies in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park. The game featured multiple lead changes and strong offensive performances from both teams, with Cooper Flemming going 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the RiverDogs.

Why it matters

This was the first of a six-game series between the two in-state minor league rivals, setting the stage for an intense battle between the South Carolina clubs as they compete for position in the Carolina League standings.

The details

The Fireflies jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the RiverDogs responded with three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 advantage. The two teams traded runs throughout the game, with the score tied 6-6 after nine innings. In the top of the 10th, the Fireflies scored the go-ahead run to win 7-6.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The RiverDogs and Fireflies will play five more games in this series over the next week.

The players

Cooper Flemming

A RiverDogs outfielder who had a strong offensive performance, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs.

Caden Bodine

A RiverDogs infielder who extended his hitting streak to a Carolina League-high eight games.

Jose Gutierrez

The Fireflies pitcher who fumbled a throw at first base, allowing two runs to score for the RiverDogs.

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What they’re saying

“It was a tough loss, but we showed a lot of fight against a good in-state rival. We'll regroup and come back ready to even the series tomorrow.”

— Caden Bodine, RiverDogs Infielder

What’s next

The RiverDogs and Fireflies will play the second game of their six-game series on Wednesday, April 16 at 7:05 PM.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth battle between the two South Carolina minor league clubs highlights the intensity of their rivalry and the competitive nature of the Carolina League. Both teams will look to gain an advantage in the series as they vie for playoff positioning.