Blue Wahoos Open Season With 8-6 Win Over M-Braves
April 6, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
In a perfect match to the setting, Tanner Allen dazzled on opening night for the Blue Wahoos.
Allen, a former Mobile prep star who became an All-American in 2021 while helping Mississippi State win the College World Series, went 3-for-4 and drove in four runs as the Blue Wahoos outslugged the Mississippi Braves 8-6 Friday before an overflow, sellout crowd of 5,000-plus at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“It is a true blessing. It was an unbelievable night,” said Allen, who joined the Blue Wahoos in mid-August last year. “I mean, Pensacola showed out tonight. We had a packed house. Fans brought the energy and we kinda fed off it the whole game.
It was a great game and really made me look forward to (Saturday),” said Allen, a fourth-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2021. “Every time you come to the ballpark on opening day you have those opening day jitters and for me I almost can’t even sit still. So, I was doing stuff all day to try and keep my mind occupied.
“I don’t care if you’re playing in front of a hundred thousand or five people, your knees are going to be shaking and for me, when you see that first pitch go by, it’s like, hey it’s the same game I’ve played my entire life. It’s time to go.”
The game began Friday, backlit by a postcard-perfect, blue sky, the shimmering beauty of Pensacola Bay and a buzz throughout the stadium with fans even covering the outfield berm in right center.
After the M-Braves scored in the first inning, Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer then pitched out of a bases-loaded jam with no outs. He struck out the next two batters and got an infield grounder to end the inning.
That proved pivotal.
The Blue Wahoos’ Jacob Berry, the Marlins top draft pick in 2022, blasted a shot over that right-center berm and out of the ballpark to tie the game.
The M-Braves then took a 3-1 lead in the second. But Allen changed that with his two-run double that followed Cody Morrisette’s RBI single.
It was also big game for Morissette, who had three hits, including a solo homer in fourth inning to put the Blue Wahoos ahead 4-3. The second baseman also helped turned a pair of double plays that thwarted M-Braves’ scoring chances.
There were 12 runs scored and 20 hits after the first five innings with the Blue Wahoos taking a 7-5 lead. Allen’s two-run single was part of that. The teams finishes with 24 hits combined (13 for the Blue Wahoos). Each team also used five pitchers apiece.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen that followed Fitterer was outstanding. Angel Macuare, Chandler Jozwiak, Zach McCambley and closer Austin Roberts combined to throw 4.2 innings, give up just three hits, one run and struck out eight batters.
With a sizeable portion of the crowd on its feet, Roberts threw a perfect changeup to strike out Justin Dean with the tying run on base to end the game and bring a roar from the stadium.
“It may have been the best crowd I have ever played in front of as a professional,” said Allen, who played high school baseball in Mobile at UMS-Wright School.
GAME NOTABLES.
This was the first game, too, with a new start time (6:05 p.m.) for all night games this season. Seven new food items at the storefronts.
It was also the first game in team history with fans going through security metal detectors at all three entrances to Blue Wahoos Stadium. This is something that Major League Baseball has in all 30 stadiums nationwide and has urged its minor league affiliates to follow suit.
On a Giveaway Friday, the first 1,000 fans receiving a blue denim, adjustable baseball hat, sponsored by LandrumHR. The company also filled the Winn-Dixie party deck with a group of 300 in right field.
Fans were treated to a Navy jet flyover that occurred seconds after the National Anthem.
Three fighter jets, VT-86 Saberhawks from Naval Air Station-Pensacola roared over the stadium. The jets began their journey with a turn 12 miles off the coast of Pensacola and reached the stadium in 90 seconds.
ON DECK
WHAT: Blue Wahoos Season-Opening Weekend
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Tate Boys Tennis Defeats Navarre
April 6, 2024
The Tate Aggies tennis boys defeated Navarre 7-0 this week. With the win, the Aggies improved to 10-1 on the season. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Come From Behind To Beat The Jay Royals
April 5, 2024
The Northview Lady Chiefs battled back from a four-run deficit defeat the Jay Royals 6-4 Thursday night in Royal territory.
The Royals were first on the board with a 2 RBI Morgan Barrow homerun to right field. Jay increased their lead in the bottom of the third when Kaylee Gilbreath singled and Brooklyn Sorrells scored.
A Jamison Gilman double and a single rom Riley Brookes for Northview tied it up at 4-4 in the top of the seventh. With doubles in the top of the eighth from Avery Stukey and Mikayla McAnally, the Chies pulled head with a 6-4 lead.
Gilman led things off in the circle for the Lady Chiefs, giving up five hits and four runs in four and one-third innings while striking out one and walking three. McAnally went three and two-third innings in relief, surrendering one hit, walking one and striking out three.
Layna Lowery opened for Jay, giving up four hits and one run in six innings, walking one and striking out three. C Carroll finished, surrendering six hits and four runs while striking out one and walking none in two innings.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Escambia Gators Friday at 5:30 p.m. while Jay will host T.R. Miller on April 9.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
WFHS Slides Past Northview Varsity; JV Battles To A Tie
April 5, 2024
West Florida 5, Northview 1 (Varsity)
The West Florida Jaguars defeated the Northview Chiefs 5-1 in varsity action Thursday night in Bratt.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Grayson Phillips earned the win for the Jags, allowing two hits and one run while striking out seven and walking one over seven innings.
Jase Portwood took the loss for the Chiefs, going six innings while surrendering five runs and nine hits, walking two and striking out seven.
Phillips had two RBIs for WFHS. Jaxson Cramer, Dax Robbins, and Connor Powers each contributed two hits.
Brady Smith and Dane King had one hit each for the Chiefs.
Northview will host Pine Forest MOnday at 6:30 p.m. West Florida will travel to Crestview Saturday afternoon with first pitch at 2:30.
West Florida 4, Northview 4 (JV)
In junior varsity action, Northview and West Florida battled to a 4-4 tie after five innings Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
J Boutwell opened on the mound for the Chiefs, giving up four hits and four runs while walking four and striking out five over four and one-third innings. G Harrison closed, tossing two-thirds of the final inning giving up no hits and no runs while striking out two and walking one.
Ayden Crabtree, Brayden Gindl, Easten Odom and Nate Jones each had one hit for Northview.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Peacock Signs With Mount Mercer University
April 5, 2024
Gage Peacock of Beulah has signed with Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The Lighthouse Private Christian Academy senior received baseball and an academic scholarships. He will also bowling for the school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Defeats Northview In Flag Football (With Gallery)
April 4, 2024
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 21-0 in girls flag football Wednesday afternoon in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate quarterback Gabrielle Smart had 103 yards passing, completing 14 of 20 attempts. Smart also had 60 yards rushing and one touchdown on six carries. Hannah Pitman had 100 yards rushing on six carries for the Aggies. Ryan Clarke had 34 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Northview stats were not provided.
Wednesday was senior night for Northview with the team honoring seniors Carsyn Dortch, Kendal Beasley and Ava Gurganus before the game.
The Chiefs ended their season at 3-5 overall. The Tate Aggies, currently 5-5, will end their season Thursday against Gulf Breeze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NWE Hosting 8U, 10U Baseball Tourney With Free Entry
April 4, 2024
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park will host a recreational 8U and 10U baseball tournament on April 13 and 14 with a three-game guarantee.
Registration is free. Click here for a registration form.
Blue Wahoos Complete Entertaining Showcase Against Monterrey Sultanes Before Season-Opener
April 4, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The never-before series with the Blue Wahoos and the Mexican League’s Monterrey Sultanes ended Wednesday with both teams hugging, exchanging their jerseys, then gathering for a team photo.
Then, a countdown in Spanish began for a fireworks show, while a Latin band performed and had people dancing on the concourse well after the game ended.
It was this kind of memorable night in Blue Wahoos Stadium history.
The game was a show, too.
The Sultanes hit three home runs, one of them a sure-bet into the water beyond left field, en route to a 6-4 win against the home team, which again reverted to its alter identity as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in a nod to baseball’s Latino influence and Pensacola’s own Spanish history.
“I love Pensacola. I really love the people,” said Guillermo “Willie” Gonzalez, the Sultanes’ vice president, who began working for the team at 13-years-old as a baggage handler, then worked his way all the way into having management stake in the oldest franchise (81 years) in the Mexican League.
“The weather is amazing, the food, everything,” he said. “The last time we played in the (United) States was in 2011 (against the Arizona Diamondbacks). So many years ago. This was our brilliant idea. We are so excited… I had heard about the fireworks and we’re so happy.”
The two games, which are believed to be the first time a Mexican League team has played against an affiliated Major League Baseball team in the eastern side of the U.S.. brought a sizeable crowd on a perfect weather night Wednesday at the bayfront stadium.
The event came about when Monterrey’s lead owner, a golfer and fan of Pensacola’s pro star Bubba Watson, read the introspective book by the two-time Masters champion and 11-time PGA Tour winner and wanted to meet him. That led to a meeting and eventual decision by Monterrey to travel to Pensacola.
The two organizations have quickly connected and mentioned about continuing this kind of series in future years.
The two exhibition games served as a prelude the Blue Wahoos’ 2024 season, which officially begins on Friday against the Mississippi Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, and in their last year as the M-Braves before moving next season to Columbus, Ga.
Monterrey, managed by Roberto Kelly, a 14-year outfield veteran in MLB, including six seasons with the New York Yankees, begin their season next week.
“I think it’s been good, especially being in Monterrey and getting to play such a high-caliber team. I think it’s been good for the players to see different players, this kind of pitching and I think that will help us for our season.”
As for the game, the Blue Wahoos broke through first on a bases-clearing, 3-run double by Tanner Allen in the second inning, part of a good night at the plate for Allen, a Mobile-area native and former high school player.
But Monterrey’s big bats enabled them to get the lead on three home runs, including two on consecutive at-bats by first baseman Christian Villanueva, who played two seasons (2017-18) for the San Diego Padres. Both were big bombs, but the second one had the likelihood of bouncing quickly into the water beyond left field.
Romero Cuadrado, who has played nine seasons at various levels, had the Sultanes’ other homer.
The Blue Wahoos, as they hoped were able to use a half-dozen pitchers each game and get their likely starters some tasted of night games at the stadium.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios pitched out of a second-inning jam with runners on second and third and none out, before he was lifted in the fourth inning.
Jay Rains On Northview’s Senior Night 9-1
April 3, 2024
Jay rained on Northview’s senior night, with the Royals winning 9-1 during intermittent rain showers Tuesday in Bratt.
Landon Golden pitched six and two-thirds innings for the Royals, allowing no hits and one run while walking two and striking out eight. Kaden Strength closed with one-third of an inning with no hits, no runs and striking out one.
Jackson Bridges went four innings on the mound for the Chiefs, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out four and walking two. Brady Smith closed three innings, surrendering four hits and four runs while striking out six and walking one.
Nick Baxley, Ethan McDonald, and Jax Lowery each had two hits for Jay. Haydn Morris and Lowery both drove in two runs for Jay.
Grayden Sheffield led the Chiefs with one RBI.
Northview will host West Florida at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, and Jay will travel to Fort Walton Beach Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Robbie Bodiford, Wyatt Scruggs and Rylan Minor were honored before the Senior Night game.
Pictured: North baseball seniors Robbie Bodiford (#6) with parents Robert and Angie Bodiford; Wyatt Scruggs (#16) with parents Ray and Kim Bodiford; and Rylan Minor (#18) with parents Brandon and Brittany Minor. Photos for NorthEscmbia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Beat Crestview 12-7 In Eight Innings
April 3, 2024
The Northview Chiefs beat the Crestview Bulldogs 12-7 in eight innings Tuesday night in Crestview.
Jamison Gilman tossed the first one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and three runs while recording two strikeouts and walking four. Mikayla McAnnally was in the circle for six and one-third innings in relief for the Lady Chiefs, giving up seven hits and three runs while striking out eight and walking three.
Gilman and Avery Stuckey had two hits each for Northview.
Northview will host the Escambia Gators on Friday.
Pictured: Northview’s Mikayla McAnnally. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.