Bermúdez Brilliant As Blue Wahoos Start Extended Homestand In Memorable Style
April 17, 2024
The Blue Wahoos began their longest homestand of the season in a special way.
Jonathan Bermúdez helped make sure of it.
With one of the best starts of his professional career, Bermúdez dazzled with five no-hit innings, pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth, then watched three scoreless innings by three relievers as the Blue Wahoos beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas 1-0 before a crowd of 3,008 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“It was fun to be on the mound (Tuesday), I’ll tell you that,” said Bermúdez, a left-hander who joined the Blue Wahoos in May last season after being released from the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento.
After losing five of six road games last week at Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos continued their amazing success against Rocket City, the Los Angeles Angels affiliate. The Blue Wahoos are now 17-2 against the Trash Pandas in Pensacola, 27-6 overall against them.
This game was played in just two hours, 15 minutes. It began a stretch of 12 games in 13 days at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“It’s good to be home,” said Bermúdez, a Puerto Rico native who can speak English and Spanish fluently. “After a tough week, it’s good to start like this. “I think this team is really good. We showed it (Tuesday). The bats are going to get going. I trust our bats.
“Our bullpen is our forte. This week is going to be fun. We started it the right way.”
The game’s only run was produced with one blast. Designated hitter Zach Zubia led off the fourth inning with a no-doubter home run over the left field wall off a fastball that exited his bat at 112 mph.
But from that point, Rocket City starter Caden Dana, a 20-year-old from Warwick, New York, who is the No. 2 rated prospect in the LA Angels minor league system. Rocket City (5-5) has all four of the Angels’ top-rated prospects on this team.
Bermúdez wowed through five innings, facing only the minimum 15 batters with seven strikeouts and only one ball hit to the outfield on a flyout to centerfield.
Amazingly, the only baserunner he allowed in that span was the game’s first batter.
He plunked centerfielder Nelson Rada on his second pitch. Rada, an 18-year-old Venezuela native, is the Los Angeles Angels’ No. 1 prospect. Bermúdez then erased him on a pickoff. And from that point, it was perfection through the fifth inning.
With one out in the sixth inning, the Trash Pandas’ first hit was produced by a former Blue Wahoos player. Catcher Caleb Hamilton, 29, who played in Pensacola during the 2019 season as a Minnesota Twins prospect, laced a no-doubt single through into center field to break up the no-hitter.
And then it got dicey.
The next batter, Arol Vera, doubled down the third base line to put runners on second and third. Bermúdez then walked Rada on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases.
Bermúdez dug in and stuck out shortstop Kyren Paris, the LA Angels’ No. 3 rated prospect, on a swing-and-miss fastball. He threw a slider to get Sam Brown to fly out to center and end the inning.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos bullpen shined. Josan Méndez, newcomer Raffi Vizcaíno, who joined the team Tuesday and was hitting near 100-mph with his fastball, along with closer Austin Roberts combined for three shutout innings. They combined for six strikeouts, no hits, no walks.
Vizcaíno and Roberts struck out all six batters they faced in a dominating end to the game.
GAME NOTABLES
The National Anthem was brilliantly performed Tuesday by Jessica Voigt, a Blue Wahoos group sales intern and UWF senior, who filled in when the scheduled singer could not make it.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
Gilman Throws Northview Softball Shut Out Of Baker; Northview Baseball Beats Neal
April 16, 2024
SOFTBALL
Northview 12, Baker 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs shut out Baker 12-0 Monday night in Baker.
In a game that ended at five innings under the mercy rule, Jamison Gilman earned the win for Northview, giving up no hits and no runs while striking out six and walking two.
K Langham went 2-2 with one RBI for the Lady Chiefs while Avery Stuckey was 1-4 with three RBIs. Gilman was 2-3 with an RBI, and Chloe Ragsdale went 2-4.
Next, Northview will host Jay at 6 p.m. Thursday and Crestview on Friday.
BASEBALL
Northview 8, W.S. Neal 1
The Northview Chiefs beat W.S. Neal 9-1 Monday night in East Brewton.
Jackson Bridges earned the win for the Northview Chiefs, giving up one hit and one run in four innings, walking one and striking out two. Jase Portwood threw three innings with no runs in relief. Portwood surrendered one hit, striking out six and walking two.
Brady Smith went 2-4 at the plate for the Chiefs with three RBIs. Grayden Sheffield was 2-4 with one RBI, and Wyatt Scruggs was 3-4 with an RBI. Jayden White, Portwood and Bridges also added hits.
Northview will travel to L.E.A.D. Academy in Pace at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Molino 8U Softball Sweeps Both Brackets At GCGSA Mid-Season Tournament
April 16, 2024
Two Molino 8U softball teams swept both brackets at the GCGSA Mid-Season Tournament championship in Pace.
Coach Weaver and his 8U Molino Marlins went undefeated to win their bracket, while Coach Cutler and his 8U Sassy Sluggers went undefeated to win their bracket this past weekend.
Pictured top: Tournament champions Molino 8U Sassy Sluggers (above) and the 8U Molino Marlins (below). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century 10U Lady Legends Win Mid-Season Tourney; 12U Takes Second
April 15, 2024
The Century 10U Lady Legends went 5-1 and won the GCGSA Mid-Season Tournament championship in Pace.
The team lost their first 10U “A” bracket game Thursday night before a five-game winning streak, including topping Molino Dirt Road Divas twice for the title.
The Century 12U Lady Legends took second in the tournament as they prepare for the second half of the season.
Pictured top: Century 10U Lady Legends. Pictured below: Century 12U Lady Legends Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos End Montgomery Road Trip With Victory, Snap Losing Streak
April 15, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos completed their six-game series versus the Montgomery Biscuits with a 4-2 win on Sunday.
After failing to score in its Saturday doubleheader, Pensacola struck first in the top of the second inning on Sunday. After a double from right fielder Diego Infante and a single from first baseman Zach Zubia, shortstop Jonathan Guzmán belted a three-run home run to give the Wahoos a 3-0 lead against Montgomery starter Ben Peoples (L, 1-1).
The Wahoos ultimately held the lead the rest of the game thanks to strong pitching from starter Paul Campbell (W, 2-0) – who pitched 5.0 innings of one-run ball – and bullpen work from Chandler Jozwiak, Matt Pushard, and Austin Roberts (S, 2). The Biscuits collected eight hits in the game but stranded 13 runners on base in the contest. Pensacola third baseman Sean Roby’s solo home run in the top of the ninth inning gave Pensacola a 4-1 lead before the Wahoos eventually held on to close out the game.
Ice Flyers Season Ends With 6-1 Game Two Playoff Loss
April 14, 2024
The Pensacola Ice Flyers lost 6-1 the Peoria Rivermen in game two playoff action Saturday night in Peoria, Illinois.
Peoria moves on the second round as the season came to an end Saturday night for the Pensacola Ice Flyers.
The Ice Flyers have four previous Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) championships.
Wahoos Blanked By Biscuits In Twin Bill Sweep
April 14, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were swept in a doubleheader by the Montgomery Biscuits on Saturday, falling 2-0 in game one and 6-0 in game two.
The Blue Wahoos offense managed just seven hits, all singles, in the two games. With the sweep, Pensacola has lost five games in a row.
In game one, Evan Fitterer (L, 0-1) allowed an RBI double to Heriberto Hernandez in the second inning and an RBI single to Carson Williams in the third. The Pensacola starter lasted 4.2 innings with no more damage done, but was outdueled by Ian Seymour (W, 1-0) and his 5.0 scoreless, two-hit innings for Montgomery.
The Blue Wahoos threatened in the seventh and final inning with singles from Shane Sasaki and Bennett Hostetler, but Antonio Jimenez (S, 1) coaxed a deep flyout from Jonathan Guzmán to end the game.
In game two, the Biscuits jumped out to an early 2-0 lead against M.D. Johnson (L, 0-1) with an RBI double from Kenny Piper and sacrifice fly from Hernandez in the first inning. In the third, Montgomery scored four runs on only an infield single thanks to three walks and a pair of infield errors.
Brendan McKay was sharp through 3.0 innings in his start for the Biscuits, and relievers Jeff Belge (W, 1-0) and Keyshawn Askew completed the three-hit shutout.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series in Montgomery against the Biscuits on Sunday. First pitch from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 3:33.
Softball: Stuckey Homers Again As Milton Defeats Northview; Tate Over Niceville
April 13, 2024
Milton 5, Northview 3
A long winning streak came to an end for the Northview Chiefs as they fell to Milton 5-3 Friday night in Milton.
Northview’s Avery Stucky had two hits and three RBIs, including a home run to centerfield in the top of the sixth inning — her fifth homer of the season.
Chloe Ragsdale also had two hits for the Chiefs.
Jamison Gilman took the loss in the circle for the Chiefs. She went for four innings, giving up two runs and three hits while striking out four and walking one. Mikayla McAnally pitched two innings, allowing four hits and three runs, striking out two and walking one.
Up next, Northview will travel to Baker on Monday at 6 p.m.
Tate 3, Niceville 1
The Tate Lady Aggies beat Niceville 3-1 Friday night.
Jordan Smith recorded 21 outs as she earned the win for Tate as she pitched a complete game, giving up eight hits and one run, striking out four and walking one.
Lacy Wilson went 2-3 with one RBI for the Aggies, and Kara Wine was 1-3 with two RBIs.
The Tate Aggies will be at West Florida on Tuesday.
Pace Defeats Tate Aggies
April 13, 2024
Pace 10, Tate 0
The Pace Patriots shut out the Tate Aggies 10-0 Friday night in Pace.
Zane Warrington took the loss for the Aggies, giving up five runs and three hits, striking out two and walking four.
Bray Touchstone and Conner Hassell each had one hit for the Aggies.
Up next, Tate will host Washington on Tuesday.
Big Inning Not Enough As Wahoos Fall 10-6 In Montgomery
April 13, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos finally broke through offensively on Friday night, but a five-run third inning was quickly erased in a 10-6 loss to the Montgomery Biscuits.
The Biscuits pitching staff had allowed only five earned runs all season before Bennett Hostetler doubled off Logan Workman and Dalvy Rosario singled to give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 lead. Paul McIntosh followed with an RBI groundout and Zach Zubia blasted his first career Double-A homer to highlight what became a five-run third inning and a 5-0 Blue Wahoos lead.
Staked to an early lead in his Blue Wahoos debut, starter Valente Bellozo (L, 0-1) allowed RBI singles to Dominic Keegan and Tanner Murray before a two-run homer from Heriberto Hernandez tied the game 5-5 in the bottom half of the third inning.
Bob Seymour broke the 5-5 tie in the fourth with a two-run single off Jeff Lindgren. Javier Sanoja singled in the top of the fifth against reliever Sean Hunley (W, 1-0) to draw to within a run, but that was as close as the Blue Wahoos would get.
Montgomery added a run in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double from Dru Baker, his fourth hit of the night, and a homer from Keegan in the sixth for a 10-6 final.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series in Montgomery against the Biscuits on SaturEditday. First pitch of game one from Riverwalk Stadium is scheduled for 4:00.