Wahoos Drop Slugfest To Shuckers, 9-6
July 29, 2018
Pensacola dropped its series opener to the Biloxi Shuckers, 9-6, in front of a capacity crowd Saturday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The two teams combined to hit seven home runs, with the Southern League leaders-Biloxi-belting four of them.
With the Shuckers already leading, 1-0, Aristides Aquino and Gavin LaValley each launched solo home runs in the bottom of the second to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 lead. Biloxi rallied over the fourth and fifth innings to score five runs, using a pair of home runs to do it. Luis Aviles Jr. belted his fourth with a man on in the fourth inning. Troy Stokes Jr. hit the first of his two solo home runs on the night to spark a three-run rally in the fifth.
Trailing 6-2 in the fifth, Taylor Featherston’s RBI single cut the deficit back to 6-3. It was his second of four hits in the game. The back and forth continued throughout the night. Despite opportunities to tie or take the lead, Pensacola couldn’t get over the hump. The Wahoos finished 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position and stranded 13 runners on base.
Seth Varner (L, 5-2) started for the Wahoos. Since moving to the rotation on May 25th Varner has been dominant, but that was not the case on Saturday. Varner’s night ended early after four innings. The southpaw surrendered five earned runs on 10 hits, and three walks.
The Wahoos attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. Nate Griep (S, 27) walked Aristides Aquino, and Chris Okey delivered a pinch-hit single before a two-out walk to Mitch Nay loaded the bases. Griep struck out Jose Siri to end the threat and game.
The Wahoos will look to even the series Sunday evening. Vladimir Gutierrez (8-8 4.27) will start for the Wahoos and Luis Ortiz (2-4, 3.92) will take the hill for the Shucker
Wahoos Blanked In Series Finale
July 28, 2018
Chattanooga earned a consolation prize in the series finale with a 5-0 win Friday night at AT&T Field.
Rookie Davis’s (L, 1-1) fourth rehab start got off to a bumpy start when the second batter of the game, Brent Rooker, unloaded his 20th home run of the season to give the visitors a 1-0. Davis rebounded nicely, posting zeroes in the second and third inning. Trouble was lurking in the fourth when Chattanooga scored four runs in the fourth inning. With the Lookouts already up 2-0, Alex Perez’s two-run double was a hammer blow to the Wahoos.
After Davis, both Nick Howard and Wyatt Strahan had encouraging scoreless appearances for the Wahoos by keeping Chattanooga off the board for the rest of the night.
Australian-native Lewis Thorpe (W, 6-4) was brilliant in his second outing since participating in the Sirius XM All-Star Futures game. The southpaw dealt seven shutout innings and allowed two hits while striking out seven.
Pensacola’s offense—who had been on a tear over the past week—was held in check in the series finale. On a positive note, TJ Friedl extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single in the ninth inning. However, he was quickly erased on Mitch Nay’s double-play grounder.
Despite the loss, Pensacola won the series, winning three games against the Minnesota Twins Double-A affiliate. Pensacola remains undefeated in their last 10 series, having won eight and splitting two.
Pensacola will open their final 10-game homestand, beginning with five games against the Biloxi Shuckers. LHP Seth Varner (5-1, 2.40) will start the opener for the Wahoos and will be opposed by Biloxi’s RHP Trey Supak (1-6, 6.93).
Wahoos Hold Off Lookouts, Win Second Straight 5-4
July 26, 2018
The Blue Wahoos held off a ninth inning rally by the Lookouts to hold on for a 5-4 win Wednesday afternoon at AT&T Field in Chattanooga.
The game got off to an eventful start when Wahoos manager Jody Davis was ejected during Jose Siri’s at bat to begin the game. Siri was subsequently ejected a couple pitches later after objecting to a called third strike. Pensacola cashed in on TJ Friedl’s one-out double to claim an early 1-0 lead later in the inning.
With a 1-0 lead, the Wahoos opened up a 4-0 advantage with three runs in the second inning. Luis Gonzalez tripled home Gavin LaValley and Narciso Crook to make it 3-0. Gonzalez scored a batter later on a Cassidy Brown single before the next three batters were retired to end the inning. TJ Friedl reached on an error to start the fifth inning and scored when Shed Long singled him home putting the Wahoos up 5-0.
Tony Santillan (W, 3-0) was strong through five scoreless innings but ran into trouble in the sixth. The Lookouts loaded the bases with nobody out before Jaylin Davis doubled home all three runs to cut the Wahoos lead to 5-3. Santillan retired the next two batters before getting lifted for Joel Bender who finished the inning stranding Davis at third.
The Lookouts rallied again in the ninth inning scoring a run and loading the bases with two outs before Carlos Navas (S, 4) struck out Davis to end the game, securing Pensacola’s second straight win, 5-4.
Despite the early offense, Chattanooga’s pitching retired the final 13 Blue Wahoos hitters. Aristides Aquino was held hitless to snap his hit streak at eight games. Santillan earned his third win in four starts going 5.2 inning with three runs allowed on three walks and three strikeouts. Navas allowed just the one ninth inning run over his two innings out of the bullpen to record the save. Paco Rodriguez (L, 3-1) was the opener for the Lookouts and suffered the loss after he was charged with three runs on two hits with two walks over one-plus inning of work. Taylor Poppen shouldered most of the load for Chattanooga with two runs allowed, one earned, over seven innings.
The series continues Thursday when the Wahoos look to lock up another series win, to keep their series unbeaten streak of nine alive.
Northview Cross Country Meeting Is Monday
July 25, 2018
There will be a Northview High School cross country meeting Monday, July 30 at 8 a.m. in the Northview library to discuss the upcoming season. Students interested in running cross country and parents are encouraged to attend. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Sparks Lifts Wahoos Past Lookouts, 10-8, In Extras
July 25, 2018
With two outs and a runner at second base in the 10th inning, Taylor Sparks blasted his 10th home run of the season to give the Blue Wahoos a 10-8 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts Tuesday night at AT&T Field.
The Lookouts ambushed Wahoos starter Vladimir Gutierrez with four first inning runs. Brent Rooker started the scoring for the second straight night with a home run, Tuesday’s was a two-run shot. The Lookouts would score two more while sending all nine batters to the plate in the inning.
Trailing 4-0 in the third inning, the Blue Wahoos rallied for six runs to take the lead. Aristides Aquino delivered the big hit with a three-run homer to put the Wahoos in front 6-4. The Blue Wahoos added two more in the fourth. Jose Siri tripled and scored on a TJ Friedl single. Friedl scored later in the inning on a two-out single from Shed Long.
Gutierrez settled down and didn’t allow a run over his final four innings. He was done after five innings with four runs allowed on nine hits with three walks and five strikeouts. It was the most runs he had allowed in a start since June 1.
The Lookouts rallied for four runs to tie the game in the seventh inning against Juan Martinez. With the Wahoos still leading 8-6, Rooker laced a two-run double to tie the game at 8-8. It stayed that way until Sparks belted his home run in the 10th to put the Blue Wahoos up 10-8. Alex Powers (S, 11) worked a scoreless bottom of the 10th to finish off the win. Rafael De Paula (W, 2-3) earned the win out of the bullpen with two scoreless innings in relief. Williams Ramirez (L, 2-6) allowed the two 10th inning runs to take the loss for the Lookouts.
Everybody in the Wahoos starting lineup got at least one hit with five players getting two hits. Sparks led the charge with a double and his home run. Chris Okey also had a pair of extra base hits, both doubles, as part of a 2-for-5 game. Aquino’s homer was his only hit, but it extended his hit streak to eight games.
The Blue Wahoos will continue the series Wednesday morning. RHP Tony Santillan (2-0, 1.50) will start for Pensacola against Lookouts RHP Sean Poppen (3-5, 4.32)
Wahoos Winning Streak Ends With Loss To Lookouts
July 24, 2018
After Pensacola had taken the lead in the top of the ninth inning, the Lookouts rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to top the Blue Wahoos, 4-3, Monday night at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. The loss snapped the Blue Wahoos winning streak at six games.
Pensacola took an early lead with a run in the top of the first when Mitch Nay singled home Jose Siri. The lead was short lived. In the bottom of the inning Brent Rooker socked his 18th home run of the season to tie the game.
The Blue Wahoos answered to reclaim the lead when Taylor Sparks scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the second inning. The game stayed 2-1 until Chattanooga tied the game in the fifth. Jaylen Davis singled on a line drive that hit off Wahoos pitcher Seth Varner and ricocheted in the hole between first and second base and allowed Jimmy Kerrigan to score.
With the game tied in the ninth, Luis Gonzalez drove home Mitch Nay with a one-out double to right field. Pensacola had a chance for more, but stranded two runners in scoring position. The Lookouts answered against Wahoos reliver Alejandro Chacin (L, 1-2). Mitchell Kranson led off the bottom of the ninth with a pinch-hit home run to tie the game. Then, with one out, Tanner English tripled to left field. With two outs, Chris Paul yanked a 1-2 pitch to left field for the game winning hit.
Pensacola wasn’t without opportunities in the game. The Blue Wahoos left 15 runners on base and were just 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
Despite a no-decision, Varner was solid. He allowed just two runs, one earned, over six innings with one walk and five strikeouts. Carlos Navas backed him up with two scoreless innings in relief. The blown save was the first of the season for Chacin. Ryne Harper (W, 1-2) picked up with win despite allowing a run (unearned) over 1.1 innings.
The Blue Wahoos will try to bounce back on Tuesday night with RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (8-8, 4.13) on the mound against RHP Omar Bencomo (6-4, 3.41).
More Teams Needed For Century Fire Coed Charity Softball Tourney
July 23, 2018
More teams are needed to make the First Annual Century Firefighter’s Coed Charity Softball Tournament happen. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 28 at Showalter Park in Century.
The entry fee is $200 per team. Proceeds will benefit fire victims in the Century and Byrneville areas.
Concessions will be available.
For rules and entry information, call Kevin Bullard at (850) 324-8457 or Shaun Moye at (251) 236-1182
Wahoos Sweep Shrimp With 12-7 Win
July 23, 2018
Pensacola completed its first series sweep of the season against Jacksonville, 12-7, Sunday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Wahoos set the tone early against Jacksonville starter Kolton Mahoney (L, 3-5). With a 1-0 lead, TJ Friedl singled Taylor Sparks home to double the lead. With Mitch Nay batting, a wild pitch by Mahoney allowed Jose Siri to score, giving the Wahoos a 3-0 lead. By the time the second inning came to a close, the Wahoos were up big on the Jumbo Shrimp, leading 7-0.
Jacksonville went to their bullpen in hopes of stopping the onslaught. Reliever Reilly Hovis replaced Mahoney and wound up surrendering five more runs to the Blue Wahoos during his outing. Jacksonville used a total of four pitchers on Sunday and the bullpen allowed no more runs after the fifth inning.
Rookie Davis (W, 1-0) had an impressive first start in his rehab appearance for the Wahoos. Davis pitched six innings and allowed three runs on five hits, no walks, and four strikeouts. Davis contributed on the offensive side as well. In the bottom of the third inning, Davis launched a solo homer to right field to give the Wahoos a 10-3 lead at the time.
The Shrimp attempted to make a comeback in the ninth inning against Wyatt Strahan (S, 1). Sharif Othman singled to center field that scored Joe Dunand to cut Jacksonville’s deficit 12-6. Eric Jagielo then hit an RBI single to left field to plate home Justin Twine to make the score 12-7. With runners on the corner, Strahan was able to get out of the jam when Monte Harrison lined out to right field to Aristides Aquino to end the game.
The Wahoos head on the road to face the Chattanooga Lookouts. It will be a battle of the southpaws as Seth Varner (5-1, 2.48) will start for the Wahoos and Lewis Thorpe (4-4, 3.95) will take the hill for the Lookouts.
Wahoos Shutout Shrimp 3-0
July 21, 2018
After scoring 17 runs through the first two games of the series, the Blue Wahoos only needed one to clip past the Jumbo Shrimp, 3-0, on Friday. Tony Santillan (W, 2-0) turned in six shutout innings and TJ Friedl paced the offense with three hits in the Wahoos victory in front of a capacity crowd to capture their fourth straight win.
Despite not scoring many, the Wahoos offense got off to a quick start behind Santillan. After a one-out single by Friedl, he advanced to second on a wild pitch, and after moving to third on a groundout, he scored on Rodrigo Vigil’s eight passed ball of the season to make it 1-0.
On Friday, a one-run lead was plenty for Santillan. He retired eight of the first nine Jumbo Shrimp that came to the plate and only twice to did Jacksonville have runners in scoring position. For the first since joining the Wahoos, the 2015 second-round pick looked dominant as he struck out six without walking a batter on 80 pitches.
Pensacola doubled their lead thanks to a defensive miscue by the Shrimp. With Friedl on first, Mitch Nay hit into what looked like a double play ball to first. After Jagielo stepped on first base, his throw towards second sailed by the shortstop Joe Dunand and into left field. Shed Long followed with a single to right field, which brought home Friedl to give the Wahoos a 2-0 edge. Long would plate home a third run with a solo home run on the second pitch he saw from Miguel Del Pozo in the eighth inning.
Despite his starter having thrown only 80 pitches, Jody Davis turned the game over to his bullpen in the seventh inning. He wound up using three different relievers to secure the game’s last nine outs. Jacksonville’s best chance at a late comeback came in the ninth when Monte Harrison led off the inning and reached on Long’s 10th error of the season. However, Alex Powers (S, 10) remained unphased and retired the next three batters in order for the save.
Robert Dugger (L, 2-4) was strong for Jacksonville despite taking the loss. He allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits over his six innings of work. The right-hander walked two and tied his season-high with seven punchouts.
Having earned a series win, Pensacola will look to make it five wins in a row when they take on the Jumbo Shrimp Saturday night. RHP Daniel Wright (4-6, 4.20) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against RHP Merandy Gonzalez (1-4, 5.10).
Former NBA Coach To Lead Bratt Basketball Camp Next Week
July 20, 2018
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp next week with a former NBA, college and high school coach.
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 25-27 at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost is $45 per student with a limited number of scholarships available. The funds are used exclusively to purchase shoes and basketballs for needy children in other countries where Dutremble conducts camps.
The First Baptist Church of Bratt is located on Highway 4 just west of Northview High School.
All children participating in the camp will receive a certificate of completion and a t-shirt from Dutremble. For registration information, call (850) 327-6529, or stop by the church Monday through Wednesday mornings.
Pictured: Students that participated in a previous basketball camp at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. Inset: Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.