SPARTANBURG, S.C. — After an 11-run outburst Wednesday, Hub City and Jersey Shore played a low-scoring tight affair Thursday. The Spartanburgers (59-70, 25-38) took down the BlueClaws (46-81, 20-42) by a 2-1 final at Fifth Third Park.
Jormy Nivar made his first start at home and pitched a career-best six scoreless innings. The right-hander threw over 60% strikes and only walked one. He is the first Hub City starting pitcher to earn a win without striking out a batter. Nivar (W, 1-1) stranded seven runners on base during his time on the mound, partially thanks to three double plays — all started by Evan Morrison at shortstop.
Hub City’s offense picked up right where it left off in the bottom of the first. Paxton Kling walked and stole second against Ryan Dromboski (L, 2-9), then Antonis Macias drove Kling in.
In the fourth, the ‘Burgers doubled the lead. With two outs, Carter Garate reached second on a sizzling grounder underneath the glove of the first baseman, then Cal Stark looped an opposite-field single to plate Garate from second.
The bullpen took over in the seventh; Cole Roland retired the BlueClaws in order. Luimy Munoz worked around a dropped third strike and a hit batter to strand two runners in the eighth. Case Matter (S, 1) was the final ‘Burger bullpen arm. The right-hander allowed a pair of walks but battled back with a strikeout. With two men on base, Jersey Shore’s Brady Day cracked a sizzling ground ball to first. Macias laid out and made a diving stop, then tossed to Matter covering first to end the game.
Tomorrow, the final Fifth Third Firework Friday of 2026 takes place at 7:05 p.m. ET. The Spartanburgers and BlueClaws send former Iowa teammates to the mound. Ben DeTaeye (2-0, 7.77 ERA) and Cade Obermueller (0-2, 8.71 ERA) are the starting pitchers. .
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