Wahoos Stun M-Braves For Seventh Straight Win
July 1, 2018
The Blue Wahoos rallied from behind with two runs in the eighth inning to beat the Mississippi Braves 2-1 for their seventh straight win in front of a capacity crowd Saturday night and Blue Wahoos Stadium. It was the second consecutive game the Wahoos scored the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth inning or later.
With the Wahoos trailing 1-0 in the eighth, Brian O’Grady hit a game-tying pinch-hit home run off Kelvin Vazquez (L, 3-1) to tie the game at 1-1. T.J. Friedl followed with a single, and after a stolen base came around to score on Mitch Nay’s double to left-center. Alex Powers (S, 
entered the ninth and after a leadoff single from Alay Lago, the Wahoos closer carved up the next three M-Braves to secure Pensacola’s seventh consecutive victory.
Saturday’s game was a pitching masterclass headlined by Touki Toussaint and Blue Wahoos starter Seth Varner. Toussaint was perfect through four innings before plunking Mitch Nay with a curveball to open the fifth inning. Two batters later Narciso Crook notched the Wahoos first hit with a single to right field to put runners at first and second with only one out. However, Crook was picked off by the catcher Alex Jackson and Taylor Sparks flew out to the warning track in center to end the threat. The Wahoos other threat against Toussaint came in the sixth when Pensacola loaded the bases thanks to three Toussaint walks. Nay came to the plate with two outs and Toussaint struck him out for his 11th strikeout of the night, which tied his career high.
Varner, though not as good as Toussaint, was still brilliant on the mound. The southpaw scattered one run and five hits over his six innings. He ran into trouble in the second inning when Alex Jackson led off the frame with a double and scored on Alay Lago’s RBI single. Varner kept his composure and retired the next three M-Braves in order to keep the score at 1-0. The Cincinnati-native allowed two hits over his final four innings and struck out eight, which was one shy of his season high.
Carlos Navas (W, 3-0) replaced Varner in the seventh and after allowing a leadoff single to Brandon Downes struck out the side in order. The eighth was the exact same as Navas struck out the side after a leadoff double, this time from Luis Valenzuela.
The series rolls along Sunday when RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (4-8, 5.33) duels against RHP Enderson Franco (2-5, 3.68). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
Wahoos Walk Off To Sixth Straight Win
June 30, 2018
It hasn’t taken long for Pensacola fans to see what kind of impact Jose Siri can make on a game. The highly touted prospect hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning off Corbin Clouse (L, 2-1) to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 walk-off win Friday night.
With the Wahoos trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning and Chad Sobotka on the mound, Mitch Nay started the two-out rally with a swinging bunt single up the third base line. Gavin LaValley followed with a single to left before Aristides Aquino legged out an infield single, which allowed Nay to score from third. In the ninth inning, Chris Okey doubled off Clouse to open the inning. Jody Davis called upon Keury Mella to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but the Wahoos starter struck out after bunting the two-strike pitch foul. T.J. Friedl bested the M-Braves defensive shift with an infield single, which moved Okey to third base. That brought up Siri who lifted Clouse’s 1-1 pitch to left field, deep enough to score the winning run.
While neither starting pitcher factored in the final decision, both were tremendous Friday night. Wyatt Strahan tied his longest outing of the season with seven innings of two-run ball. The University of Southern California product struck out eight and walked only two. His lone mistake was in the second inning when Travis Demeritte launched a solo home run to put the M-Braves up 1-0. He allowed one more run in the sixth courtesy of Tyler Neslony’s RBI single.
Bruce Zimmerman made his Double-A debut for the M-Braves and was equally strong in his start. His only mistake was a solo home run to Nay to open the Wahoos bottom of the second inning, which tied the game at 1-1. The 23-year old struck out 10 Wahoos and walked only three while holding Pensacola to four hits.
Alejandro Chacin (W, 1-1) replaced Strahan and pitched the final two innings for the Blue Wahoos in scoreless fashion. The win of the second walk-off win of the season for the fish and they have now won a season-best six straight games this season.
The Wahoos will try and make it seven straight wins tomorrow night when LHP Seth Varner (4-0, 2.61). He will face one of the best pitching prospects in all of Minor League baseball in RHP Touki Toussaint (4-6, 3.19) toes the rubber for the hosts.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Double Up On The M-Braves 10-5
June 29, 2018
The Blue Wahoos had to fend off an hour rain delay and several Mississippi comeback attempts but ultimately won Thursday’s series opener by a 10-5 final.
The Wahoos struck early with a pair of runs in the first two innings of the game. Shed Long unloaded an opposite field two-run shot off Bryse Wilson to make it 2-0. After Mississippi tied it up with two runs of their own, the Wahoos took the lead again after Taylor Sparks tripled home Aristides Aquino and then Chris Okey singled home Sparks.
Daniel Wright cruised through the first four innings of the game allowing one hit and two runs (zero earned runs). In the bottom of the fourth, the rains came down and the tarp was put on the field. After a 1:18 delay, play was resumed with both starting pitchers lifted from the game.
Robinson Leyer (W, 4-2) took the mound for the Wahoos. The Southern League All-Star struggled over his two innings by allowing three runs including a two-run go-ahead home run to Luis Marte in the sixth. However, Pensacola responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to regain the lead. After back-to-back singles to open the inning, Sparks delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 5-5. Okay followed with another RBI single before Brian O’Grady’s pinch-hit single made it 7-5.
In the end, there was simply no slowing down Pensacola’s offense. For the third time this week, the Wahoos scored at least 10 runs and tonight the club finished with 14 hits. Every Wahoo in the starting lineup-with the exception of the starting pitcher-recorded at least one base hit. With the lead safely intact, Jesus Reyes and Rafael De Paula closed out the final three innings in scoreless fashion to preserve the 10-5 final score.
The series continues tomorrow night when RHP Wyatt Strahan (5-7, 6.75) toes the rubber for the hosts against RHP Bruce Zimmerman, who will be making his Double-A debut.
Register Now For The Tate Aggies Softball Camp
June 27, 2018
The Tate Summer Softball Camp will be held on Thursday, July 12.
The cost is $40 for a softball and hitting skills clinic from 9 a.m. until noon, plus $10 additional for a pitching clinic from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. at the Tate softball field.
The clinic will be presented by the Tate Aggies coaching staff assisted by current and former Aggie players.
Click here for a registration form for ages 7 through the eighth grade. The form can be returned with payment to any board member or on the day of camp from 8:30 until 9:00 a.m.
For more information, call Brian at (850) 393-6587
Wahoos Beat Jackson 11-6
June 26, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored 10 runs over the first four innings on their way to an 11-6 win over the Jackson Generals on Monday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. Brian O’Grady helped pace the offense with a three-hit game and three RBI. Taylor Sparks also collected three hits in the win. The Wahoos third baseman is 7-for-15 (.467) with five extra base hits since the all-star break.
The Blue Wahoos started hot and scored three runs when Aristides Aquino cleared the bases with a triple in the top of the first. Jose Siri hit his third home run in as many games with a man on in the second. Later in the inning, Brian O’Grady tripled home two, giving the Wahoos a 7-0 lead. Pensacola stretched it to 9-0 when starting pitcher Keury Mella doubled home two more in the third inning.
The Generals scored their six runs over two innings. Their first rally was in the bottom of the third against Mella. He walked three batters in the game, but two were in that inning. The Generals also used a pair of singles do put a dent in the Blue Wahoos lead.
Outside of the one inning, Mella was outstanding. He was charged with three runs on five hits with five strikeouts in his third straight win. He got it done at the plate also with a 2-for-4 game. He scored a run and drove in two others. The starter was one of five Wahoos hitters with a multi-hit game.
The Wahoos early attack knocked Jackson starter Ryan Atkinson from the game after 2+ innings. He was charged with a season-high nine runs (seven earned) in the loss. The Generals hung three more runs (one earned) against Wahoos reliever Jesus Reyes in the seventh inning. Rafael De Paula came in and struck out two of the last three batters to leave the bases loaded and end the threat.
Pensacola will go for the series win on Tuesday afternoon. Pensacola will start LHP Victor Payano (0-1, 3.51) against Generals RHP Justin Donatella (3-3, 3.30).
Blue Wahoos Make It Two Straight Over Generals
June 25, 2018
The Blue Wahoos won their second straight over the Jackson Generals Sunday night at The Ballpark at Jackson, 4-2. Jose Siri belted his second home run since joining the Wahoos to break a scoreless tie in the third inning, and Pensacola never looked back.
Following Siri’s homer, the Blue Wahoos scored single runs in the next three innings. Taylor Sparks stayed hot with an RBI triple driving home Aristides Aquino in the fourth inning. TJ Friedl led off the fifth with a single and came home on Shed Long’s one-out base hit to make it a 3-0 lead. Luis Gonzalez doubled to start the sixth inning and scored on a Sparks sacrifice fly to put the Blue Wahoos up 4-0.
Vladimir Gutierrez (W, 4-8) was solid on the mound for the Wahoos. He allowed his only run in the sixth. Domingo Leyba was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then scored on an RBI single from Jamie Westbrook. Gutierrez was lifted for Victor Payano with two outs in the inning. Payano got the final out and combined with Robinson Leyer and Alex Powers (S, 6) to preserve the win the rest of the way.
Gutierrez earned the win after allowing just the one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 5.2 innings. The Wahoos did all of their damage against Generals starter Taylor Widener (L, 4-4). He allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out five against one walk. Powers pitched a perfect ninth inning for his team-best sixth save.
Escambia Commission Recognizes Historic Little League Team
June 24, 2018
The Escambia County Commission recently recognized the 1955 Pensacola Jaycees Baseball Team for their peaceful and heroic contribution to the civil rights movement. The group of 12-year-old boys and their families risked social, physical and economic repercussions for playing the first game of integrated Little League baseball in the south against the all-white team the Orlando Kiwanis. Shortstop Admiral LeRoy, second baseman Rev. Freddie Augustine and family representatives of Clyde Charley, Richard Morris and Phillip Stewart attended the commission meeting.
The Pensacola Jaycees became the Northwest Florida regional champions not just for their skill, but because the all-white teams in the area refused to play the Jaycees. By local teams forfeiting the regional games, the Pensacola Jaycees advanced to the state championship in Orlando. While the Orlando Kiwanis beat the Jaycees 5-0, the game when down in history for breaking barriers. The all-black team is the subject of a new documentary film, “Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story.”
Commissioner Robinson wrote the proclamations and Commissioner May made the presentations. Both commissioners attended a screening of the film held at Pensacola State College sponsored by the African-American Heritage Society and the Pensacola State College Black History/Multicultural Committee.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Power Past Generals 11-4
June 24, 2018
The Blue Wahoos launched four home runs on Saturday night in an 11-4 win over the Jackson Generals at the Ballpark at Jackson. Taylor Sparks led the charge with two of them, including an inside-the-park homer to the left-center field wall in the fifth inning.
Gavin LaValley got the Wahoos going with his sixth homer of the season leading off the second inning. In the third, Shed Long singled home TJ Friedl to make it 2-0. In the fifth, Sparks drove a pitch off the wall in left-center field that caromed past the center fielder Daniel Robertson, and Sparks circled the bases for his first of two home runs on the night.
Jackson rallied to take the lead with a four-run bottom of the fifth. Robertson delivered the big blow, a three-run shot to give Jackson a 4-3 advantage. Pensacola followed with more big hits to reclaim the lead. In the seventh, Taylor Sparks belted his second home run of the game, this time over the fence with a man on, to put the Blue Wahoos up for good.
Jose Siri hit his first home run as a Blue Wahoo with a man on in the seventh inning, and Pensacola blew the game open with four runs in the ninth inning. Friedl delivered the knock-out punch with a bases-clearing double and later scored on a sac fly from Luis Gonzalez.
Seth Varner (W, 4-0) retired the first eight batters he faced on the mound before surrendering a two-out double to Generals starter Bo Takahashi (L, 0-2). Varner was charged with four runs (two earned) over six innings. He allowed just five hits with one walk and one strikeout in the win. Takahashi suffered the loss after giving up five runs on six hits over seven innings. He struck out 10 Wahoos without issuing a walk.
The two teams continue the series Sunday night with RHP Vladimir Gutierrez (3-8, 5.63) starting for the Blue Wahoos opposite RHP Taylor Widener (4-3, 2.53).
Generals Sweep Doubleheader With The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
June 23, 2018
The Jackson Generals swept the Blue Wahoos in Friday’s doubleheader at The Ballpark at Jackson. The Generals took the first game 2-1 before edging the Wahoos 5-3 in game two. Jackson has now won all seven meetings between the two teams.
In game one Rudy Flores hit a two-run double over the first base bag to score Daniel Robertson and Domingo Leyba in the first inning. That proved to be enough. Pensacola got a run in the third when Luis Gonzalez doubled home TJ Friedl. The Wahoos got the tying run to third in the seventh but Taylor Sparks was stranded when Friedl flew out to center field.
Daniel Wright (L, 3-5) went the distance. He allowed just the two first inning runs over his six innings. He struck out four without a walk.
In game two the Generals struck first again. This time with a four-run second inning. The Blue Wahoos committed three errors in the inning behind starter Wyatt Strahan (L, 5-7). Jackson still used five hits in the inning, but all were singles.
Trailing 4-1 in the sixth, Pensacola rallied to pull within one. Narciso Crook was hit by a pitch to start the inning and advanced to third a batter later on Shed Long’s single. Gavin LaValley doubled them both home before Luis Gonzalez reached on an error. Yoan Lopez (S, 6) came in from the Generals bullpen with LaValley at third and Gonzalez at first and pitched out of the jam without allowing the tying run to score. Jackson added an insurance run on the bottom of the sixth to cap the win.
Strahan took the loss after pitching two innings and allowing four runs (two earned). He walked one and struck out three.
The Blue Wahoos and Generals continue the six-game series on Saturday. LHP Seth Varner (3-0, 2.55) will get the start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals RHP Bo Takahashi (0-1, 8.56).
NWE, Century 8U All-Stars Team Up To Advance To State Tournament
June 22, 2018
A combined Northwest Escambia and Century 8U All-Star team placed second in the recent Cal Ripken Baseball District 7 8U tournament. They now advance to the state 8U Tournament next week in Sylacauga, AL. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.