Wahoos Get Walk-off 9-8 Win Over Biloxi
June 4, 2022
Troy Johnston stayed red-hot at the plate, hitting a game-tying homer in the seventh and a walk-off single in the ninth to lead the Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a 9-8 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday night.
Johnston went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in, raising his average to .545 (24-for-44) through the first ten games of Pensacola’s homestand. He now has multi-hit efforts in 8 of his last 9 games.
Biloxi jumped ahead early with four first-inning runs against Bryan Mitchell, who was making his Blue Wahoos debut. A two-run double from Jakson Reetz and RBI single from Thomas Dillard highlighted the frame, which came to an abrupt end when center fielder Victor Victor Mesa threw out Tristen Lutz at the plate for the third out of the inning.
Pensacola chipped away at the deficit in the third against Victor Castañeda, as Griffin Conine hit an RBI single and Luis Aviles Jr. hit an RBI double. Mitchell also settled down, pitching hitless baseball through his final three innings to keep the game within reach.
Aviles doubled again in the fifth to shrink Biloxi’s lead to 4-3, but the Shuckers answered back in the sixth with a Cam Devanney homer against Josh Simpson. Johnston’s game-tying two-run homer in the seventh was just the start of a five-run frame that saw the Blue Wahoos take an 8-5 lead, as Conine doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly and J.D. Osborne launched a two-run homer of his own.
Dylan Bice worked a pair of scoreless innings in relief, but the Shuckers ambushed Eli Villalobos (W, 2-1) in the ninth. After a single and a hit batsman, Villalobos allowed a three-run homer to Lutz to tie the game 8-8.
Against J.T. Hintzen (L, 3-3) in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos coaxed back-to-back walks before Johnston lined a single into right center to score the winning run. It was Pensacola’s third walk-off of the season, and their second of the series after a 10-inning win on Tuesday.
With the win, Pensacola’s lead in the South Division has grown to 1.5 games over the Shuckers with 20 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their homestand against the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday.
written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Shuckers Top Wahoos 10-7
June 3, 2022
Despite a strong offensive performance, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t hold a pair of early leads in a 10-7 loss to the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday night.
Troy Johnston went 4-for-5 with a homer and three runs batted in, improving his batting average to .538 (21-for-39) through the first nine games of Pensacola’s homestand. The first baseman now has multi-hit games in 7 of his last 8 games dating back to last Wednesday, and is batting .298 on the season.
Johnston homered in the bottom of the first to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead, but it didn’t last long as Biloxi’s Cam Devanney answered in the second against Zach McCambley (L, 2-4) with a solo homer of his own. A Terence Doston RBI single in the fourth gave the Shuckers a 2-1 lead.
Griffin Conine followed a Johnston single in the fifth with a two-run homer, his eighth of the year, giving the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 advantage. The Shuckers retaliated once again in the sixth with a four-run frame, as RBI singles from Yeison Coca and Doston were followed by a two-run double from Felix Valerio to give Biloxi the lead for good.
Shuckers starter T.J. Shook (W, 1-0) completed 6.0 innings for his longest Double-A start, and Pensacola’s bullpen struggles enabled Biloxi to extend their advantage. Noah Campbell hit an RBI triple in the seventh against George Soriano, and Thomas Dillard and Tristen Lutz hit back-to-back homers against Colton Hock in the eighth before Doston capped the scoring with an RBI double in the ninth.
Johnston added a two-run double in the eighth and Luis Aviles hit a two-run double in the ninth, but it wasn’t enough for the Blue Wahoos as they dropped their first game of the series.
With the loss, Pensacola’s lead in the South Division has shrunk to 0.5 games over the Shuckers with 21 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their homestand against the Biloxi Shuckers on Friday.
written by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Tate Softball Presents $31,000 From ‘Strike Out Cancer Game’ To American Cancer Society
June 2, 2022
The Tate Lady Aggies softball team has presented $31,000 in proceeds from this year’s Strike Out Cancer game to the local chapter American Cancer Society.
During the game in late March, Tate defeated West Florida 2-1 in a long 11 innings..
For a photo gallery from the game, click or tap here.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Two License-Free Fishing Weekends This Month In Florida
June 2, 2022
There are two license-free fishing weekends coming up this month in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has set license-free weekends of June 4-5 for saltwater and June 11-12 for freshwater.
License-free fishing days provide a fun opportunity for new anglers to try fishing for the first time or experienced anglers to introduce a friend or family member to a new hobby. The fishing license requirements are waived for all recreational anglers during these dates but all other rules including seasons, bag and size limits still apply.
Wahoos Get 3-2 Win Over Biloxi Shuckers
June 2, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos protected an early lead throughout the late innings on Wednesday night, scratching out a nail-biting 3-2 win over the Biloxi Shuckers for their second win in a row.
Eury Pérez struck out six batters over 4.0 innings, and the Pensacola bullpen allowed only one hit over 5.0 scoreless frames.
Biloxi’s Jakson Reetz took Pérez deep with a solo blast in the first inning, putting the Shuckers ahead 1-0. The Blue Wahoos left the bases loaded in the first against Justin Bullock (L, 0-1), but converted on a bases-loaded opportunity in the second with an RBI single from José Devers and sacrifice fly from Troy Johnston to take a 2-1 lead.
A Ray-Patrick Didder double and Victor Victor Mesa single in the third turned into another run thanks to a Cobie Fletcher-Vance sacrifice fly, but that would be all the offense the Blue Wahoos could muster on the night. Reetz homered again in the fourth, his 12th of the year to tie for the Southern League lead, but that too would mark the end of the scoring for his club.
Pérez was relieved by Anthony Maldonado (W, 2-2), who worked 2.0 scoreless innings and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth. Josh Simpson foiled a Biloxi rally in his scoreless seventh inning, as Brent Diaz was thrown out trying to take third on a comebacker for an unconventional double play.
Eli Villalobos (S, 4) allowed a pair of baserunners to begin the ninth, but got Diaz to line into a double play before striking out Yeison Coca to end the ballgame.
With the win and a M-Braves loss, the Blue Wahoos have pushed 1.5 games ahead of Biloxi and Mississippi in the South Division with 22 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their homestand against the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday.
Didder, Blue Wahoos Walk Off Shuckers, Reclaim First Place
June 1, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos overcame an early deficit to defeat the Biloxi Shuckers 5-4 in 10 innings on Tuesday night, snapping a four-game skid and helping reclaim first place in the South Division.
Paul McIntosh hit a game-tying homer in the eighth, Griffin Conine tied the game again with a single in the bottom of the tenth, and Ray-Patrick Didder ended the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly.
The Shuckers took an early lead in the second inning against A.J. Ladwig, turning four consecutive hits into three runs. Tristen Lutz hit a two-run double and Gabe Holt added a sacrifice fly to put Biloxi ahead 3-0.
Jefry Yan, Dylan Bice and Andrew McInvale combined for 5.2 one-hit innings of scoreless relief to keep the game in reach, and the Blue Wahoos slowly chipped away at the deficit against the Biloxi bullpen. Conine hit a two-out RBI double in the third to get the Blue Wahoos on the board and José Devers circled the bases after a walk in the fifth before McIntosh’s game-tying homer in the eighth.
Colton Hock (W, 3-2) allowed a Lutz RBI single in the top of the tenth to score Biloxi’s automatic baserunner, but prevented further damage to keep the score 4-3. Troy Johnston led off the bottom of the tenth with his third hit of the night against reliever Nash Walters (L, 2-1), putting runners at the corners. McIntosh was retired, but Conine grounded an RBI single up the middle to tie the game and Didder lofted a fly ball to center that was deep enough to score Johnston for the winning run.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos have pushed 0.5 games ahead of Biloxi and Mississippi in the South Division with 23 to play in the first half.
The Blue Wahoos continue their homestand against the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Whaoos
Escambia Academy Head Football Coach, Headmaster Hugh Fountain Moves To Pike Liberal Arts
May 31, 2022
Monday, Escambia Academy Head Football Coach and Headmaster Hugh Fountain was named the new head football coach and athletic director at Pike Like Arts School in Troy, effective immediately.
Fountain led the EA Cougars to six consecutive football championship games and two Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) state championships during his tenure. He spent 11 years as a football coach at Escambia Academy, compiling a 94-31 record.
Prior to his time at Escambia Academy, Fountain coached at Charles Henderson High School for 16 years, plus W.S. Neal and Evergreen high schools.
Pike Liberal Arts was a member of the AISA for over 50 years, but they transitioned to play under the Alabama High School Athletic Association this fall.
Blue Wahoos Drop Fourth Consecutive Game, Drop From First Place
May 30, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 7-2 to the Mississippi Braves in their series finale on Sunday afternoon, dropping their fourth game in a row and relinquishing control of first place in the South Division.
Griffin Conine homered for the second consecutive game and the seventh time this season, but his two-run blast was not nearly enough against Alan Rangel (W, 2-1) and the red-hot Braves.
Mississippi used three singles in the second inning to take the early 1-0 lead against Jeff Lindgren (L, 0-1), as Trey Harris brought home CJ Alexander with a two-out base hit. Conine’s homer in the bottom of the second gave the Blue Wahoos a brief 2-1 lead, but the M-Braves quickly evened things up in the third on a run-scoring double play off the bat of Yariel Gonzalez.
Jalen Miller’s RBI double in the fourth inning put Mississippi ahead 3-2, and two Lindgren walks in the fifth turned into a pair of insurance runs as Drew Lugbauer delivered an RBI single and Alexander lifted a sacrifice fly.
Josh Simpson struggled with his command in relief of Lindgren, issuing a walk, hit batsman and a pair of wild pitches before allowing a two-run double to Andrew Moritz in the sixth. That was more than enough support for Rangel and the M-Braves bullpen, who did not allow a hit after the fifth inning.
With the loss, the Blue Wahoos have fallen 0.5 games behind Mississippi in the South Division with 24 to play in the first half.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos continue their homestand against the Biloxi Shuckers on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
About Those Throwback Navy Uniforms On The Blue Wahoos
May 29, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have partnered with Naval Air Station Pensacola to honor the legacy of the Navy in the Pensacola community and the history of Navy baseball by wearing accurate replicas of World War II-era Navy baseball uniforms on Memorial Day weekend and Independence Day weekend.
The Navy baseball uniforms worn by the team are modeled after uniforms worn by the Navy’s baseball team during World War II. During the war, over 500 major league baseball players served in the military including Ted Williams, Bob Feller, Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, and Joe DiMaggio. Williams famously was stationed in Pensacola, playing for the Bronson Field baseball team while training to become a fighter pilot.
“We are very excited to share the history of Navy baseball in Pensacola with the Blue Wahoos and look forward to seeing Navy Baseball uniforms take the field,” Jason Boortz, Public Affairs Officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, said. “We’re grateful to the community for their constant support of the Navy, the Blue Wahoos for their support of the Navy-Marine Relief Society, and for the opportunity to share the history of Navy Baseball with fans in Pensacola.”
Bortz and NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Terrence Shashaty threw out the first pitches in the Navy uniforms on Saturday.
The Navy baseball jerseys will be worn again on-field by the Blue Wahoos on Sunday and on July 2. Following the July 2 game, the uniforms will be auctioned to benefit the Navy-Marine Relief Society, a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides financial assistance and additional programs and services to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps and their families.
Additionally, the team will be installing a Navy baseball display at Blue Wahoos Stadium, helping share the story of Navy baseball and Pensacola’s Bronson Field team with fans at the ballpark.
The Wahoos lost 9-1 to the Mississippi Braves Saturday night.
Central’s Mathews Signs With USA Track, Marking First D1 Signing For CHS
May 29, 2022
Morgan Mathews of Central School has signed to continue running hurdles and track and field at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. This marks the first time a Central School athlete has ever signed a letter of intent to continue a sport at a D1 level. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
