Catfish Drop Game, Series To Charleston

For the first time this season, the Columbus Catfish lost more games than they won in a series. The Charleston RiverDogs (Yankees) beat the Catfish 5-2 Friday night, taking the series 3 games to 1.

Charleston 3B Mitch Hilligoss extended his SAL record hitting streak to 38 games.

The 21-year-old leadoff hitter lined a double to left field in the seventh inning after reliever Ryan Reid replaced starter Heath Rollins, who is second in the Minor Leagues with a 1.09 ERA. It was the only hit in five at-bats for Hilligoss, who came around to score on a grand slam by Christopher Malec.

"I was just trying to get on base and get something going," said Hilligoss. "I was able to put a ball in play down the left-field line and get on, then we put together three solid at-bats. [Malec's] grand slam was really clutch."

Hilligoss is batting .368 (60-for-163) with four doubles, a triple, a homer, 30 runs scored and 17 RBIs during the streak. He continues to climb the ladder of longest streaks in Minor League history, tying Hubert Mason's mark set with Binghamton in 1925. Next up is the 40-game run of Frosty Kennedy of Plainview in 1953.

Starter Heath Rollins left the game after 6 innings with a 2-1 lead, but reliever Ryan Reid was touched up for 4 runs on a grand slam. It was the last hit he allowed, but the damage was done.

The Catfish return home tonight, opening a series with Rome.