Blue Wahoos Drop Slugfest To Biscuits 10-8
July 2, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Montgomery Biscuits in 12 of the last 14 games at Blue Wahoos Stadium dating back to the 2014 season.
However, Montgomery finally got a W on the Blue Wahoos home field Saturday, 10-8, in a seesaw slugfest in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038. Pensacola had won the first three games of the six-game series.
Has Pensacola manager Pat Kelly seen a game with that much offense in the Southern League?
“Not in this league,” Kelly said. “That was a Pacific Coast League game right there.”
Blue Wahoos right fielder Aristides Aquino doubled to start the fifth inning and scored when catcher Chad Tromp hit a sizzling grounder down the line into right field, putting Pensacola ahead, 7-6. Left fielder Tyler Goeddel then hit a line drive off the left field wall on one hop for the third double of the inning, which scored Tromp for an, 8-6, lead.
However, Montgomery came right back in the sixth inning with two runs to tie it, 8-8, when second baseman Riley Unroe hit a line drive single into right field to drive in catcher Nick Ciuffo. Biscuits third baseman Grant Kaye then clobbered a single to center field to drive in shortstop Andrew Valezquez.
Montgomery first baseman Dalton Kelly then scored what would be the game-winning run in the seventh inning when he reached first base on a perfect bunt down the third base line and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by DH Mac James that put the Biscuits on top, 9-8.
Kelly is playing in his first Double-A series after being called up Tuesday from High-A Charlotte Stone Crabs where he was hitting .305. The 22-year-old was 5-5 Saturday with his first Double-A home run, a two-run shot that he crushed to left field. He also had two doubles and scored three times.
Kelly has torn up Pensacola pitching, so far, going 10-17 (.588) with four doubles, four runs scored, one home run and four RBIs.
The game had four lead changes, a combined 18 runs and 28 hits, including 11 extra-base hits and five home runs. The teams have identical 4-5 records in the second half of the Southern League season.
Pensacola center fielder Gabriel Guerrero led the hit parade for the Blue Wahoos, going 3-6 with a run scored. This season, the 23-year-old has had 25 multi-hit games, including five three-hit games.
Despite the loss, Guerrero said he has enjoyed seeing the Pensacola lineup produce 22 runs over the past three games. Defense and pitching were the keys to the Blue Wahoos first half crown in the South Division, as the team hit a paltry .228.
“It’s fun with everybody hitting,” Guerrero said. “That’s good. Hopefully, we will win more games.”
Aquino, the Cincinnati Reds No. 6 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, was 2-4 with two runs scored, a double and hit his ninth homer of the season to lead the ball club. Second baseman Josh VanMeter blasted his second homer in two games and now has three on the season.
Blue Wahoos fans also got to see the return of reliever Zack Weiss, who saved 25 games for the club in 2015. However, one of the Reds top pitching prospects missed the entire 2016 season with a pitching elbow injury that he finally had surgery on earlier this year.
Weiss pitched one inning, allowed one run on two hits and struck out one. Previously, he made 10 appearances for the High-A Daytona Tortugas where he was 2-1 with a 2.08 ERA and allowed opponents a .178 batting average.
“It’s nice to see him back,” Kelly said. “He had a great season here two years ago.”
Wahoos Win 2-1; Rain Suspends Second Game
June 30, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Deck McGuire struck out a season-high 10 in six innings of work Thursday in a game resumed after rain suspended Wednesday’s game after the first five outs of the game.
Behind McGuire, who hasn’t allowed a run in his last 14 innings, Pensacola won the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader with Montgomery, 2-1, at Blue Wahoos Stadium. McGuire, threw his third shutout in his past four appearances.
Over all four games — three of those starts — the 2010 first round pick, has allowed just two earned runs in 25 innings pitched.
Montgomery led Pensacola 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning when rain-delayed the second game 77 minutes Thursday before it was suspended. The Blue Wahoos had one out with runners on first and second. The seven-inning game will resume at 5 p.m. Friday and will be followed by a second nine inning game.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly liked what he saw from McGuire, who improved to 7-5 on the year with a 2.98 ERA.
“That was outstanding,” Kelly said. “He had 10 punch outs in six innings. His breaking ball was very effective.”
In the first game, Pensacola scored two runs in the second inning off of Montgomery right-handed pitcher Benton Moss to go ahead, 2-0.
Blue Wahoos left fielder Josh VanMeter scored the first run of the game when Montgomery catcher Nick Ciuffo made a bad throw with the bases loaded trying to pick VanMeter off. Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson then hit a bouncer to third that brought right fielder Aristides Aquino home for the second score.
Montgomery’s only run came in the eighth inning when Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzalez threw a two-out wild pitch that allowed Biscuits DH Justin O’Conner to score from third base.
In the second seven-inning game Thursday, Pensacola righty Alex Powers made the start, even though, he had never pitched more than 3.1 innings. He was making his first start in 145 appearances in his five-year professional career and first start in 174 pro and college appearances at Southern New Hampshire University.
He didn’t do so bad filling in while Pensacola seeks a fifth starter to complete its rotation. The 25-year-old Powers got four of the first six outs on Ks. Powers ended up throwing a career-high four innings and held Montgomery scoreless. Plus, he struck out a career-high six, while giving up two hits and a walk.
“He’s thrown well all year in all kinds of roles,” Kelly said. “I was hoping to get three innings out of him and he gave us four.”
That’s a far cry from his last outing Monday, Powers gave up four earned runs on six hits in three innings of relief against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
However, Powers was relieved by Geoff Broussard who blew Pensacola’s 2-0 lead. He gave up four runs, three earned, allowing Montgomery to take a 4-2 lead.
Broussard gave up one run in the fifth inning and gave up three more runs to the Biscuits in the sixth, failing to get an out against the first four batters he faced before being chased from the game.
The Blue Wahoos, which feature four new players from High-A Daytona Tortugas in the Southern League second half, have struggled at the plate. The first half champions have scored more than two runs just once in its first seven games after the All-Star break.
Plus, the team has had one game postponed on the road against the Chattanooga Lookouts and now two home games suspended in a row because of rain against the Montgomery Biscuits.
Rain, rain go away, said Kelly. “Baseball is a game of routine. It’s tough to get into any kind of rhythm,” he said.
Tate Aggies Attend Southeastern Line Camp
June 28, 2017
The Tate High School linemen took part in the Southeastern Line Camp this week to develop their offensive and defensive skills. The Tate Aggies will open play on August 18 at Pine Forest and August 25 at home against Pensacola High School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggie Cheerleaders Earn Top Awards At Camp
June 27, 2017
The Tate High School Cheerleaders attended the the UCA Camp held June 23-26 at Florida State University.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Awards:
Each individual team was awarded Spirit Sticks throughout the weekend and all teams earned multiple Superior ribbons during evaluations.
The Team Program won:
Overall Game Day Traditions
Top Banana Award for team Spirit
3 Pin-it Forward Winners
5 All- American Cheerleader Winners
Freshman:
Overall GameDay Champion Freshman Division
Overall Extreme Routine Champion Freshman Divison
JV:
Award for earning Superior evaluations all weekend
Award for Most Improved
Varsity:
Overall Champion Game Day Elite Co-ed
2nd Place for Extreme Routine Elite Co-ed
“I am so proud of the efforts, strength and resiliency of each athlete in this program. Tate High School has always held a special place in my heart and it’s exciting to be part of such a great program. We have some amazing athletes and I’m so excited to show the Aggie Nation what we have learned this weekend at UCA Camp,” Head Coach Morgan White said. White serves as the varsity coach, while Karen Potter is freshman coach and Annie Wiggens is junior varsity coach.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Snaps Losing Streak To Chattanooga
June 27, 2017
In his first game back with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, right-hander Austin Ross picked up right where he left off.
Ross allowed one run in six innings on six hits and three walks while striking out six to help Pensacola snap a nine-game losing streak to the Chattanooga Lookouts with a, 6-1, victory Monday at AT&T Field.
Not only that but the Blue Wahoos snapped a seven-game losing streak with Ross’ strong outing. Ross struck out five hitters in the first four innings. His record remained a perfect 6-0 with Pensacola and he owns a 1.23 ERA.
The 28-year-old was called up May 30 to the Triple-A Louisville Bats where he started four of five games, going 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA.
Chattanooga loaded the bases in the first inning but scored only one run when DH Jon Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to score shortstop Nick Gordon, putting the Lookouts ahead, 1-0.
But the Blue Wahoos fought back to tie the game, 1-1, in the fifth inning when right fielder Aristides Aquino singled in left fielder Josh VanMeter, who smacked a leadoff triple.
Pensacola added two more runs in its next at bat in the sixth inning to go up, 3-1. Coming through again with two outs and runners in scoring position was — no surprise — VanMeter, who doubled to center to score third baseman Nick Senzel and first baseman Gavin LaValley. VanMeter is 13-31 (.419) in the situation and has 18 of his 31 RBIs on the season.
Blue Wahoos relievers Ismael Guillon and Carlos Gonzalez blanked Chattanooga over the last three innings.
LaValley hit a three-run homer on a blast to left field, putting Pensacola in control of the game in the eighth inning, 6-1.
The 22-year-old LaValley, who played his first five-game series in Double-A, shined. Called up from High-A Daytona Tortugas, the 6-foot-3 LaValley hit .353, going 6-17, with two doubles, two home runs and six RBIs.
Meanwhile, VanMeter, who was chosen to the Southern League All-Star game, went 3-4 with a double and triple, scored a run and knocked in two.
Northview Chiefs Attend Down and Dirty Lineman Camp
June 26, 2017
This past weekend, the linemen from the Northvew High School Chiefs competed at the Down and Dirty Lineman Camp, one of the most prestigious linemen camps in the country.
The athletes practiced seven times in three days at Webber International University in Lake Wales, FL. Over 300 athletes participated in the camp from over 30 Florida schools, ranging from 1A-8A.
Northview rising senior Justin Helton was named the Down and Dirty Lineman Camp MVP.
On the way to the linemen camp, the Chiefs stopped in Gainesville to visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, commonly known as “The Swamp”, the football stadium for the Florida Gators.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Football, Cheer To Host Registration Event Monday
June 26, 2017
NWE Football and Cheer will have a registration event on Monday, June 26th from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
Cheerleaders who need new uniforms will be fitted by our cheer uniform representative. Due to uniform turnaround time, this will be the last day to register for cheerleaders who need new uniforms.
Cheerleader registration plus new uniform package is $150. Cheerleader registration (if you have a uniform) is $25.
Football registration is $50. NWE provides helmet, shoulder pads and game uniforms. NWE Football Players can now also register online at www.nwechiefsfootball.com.
Wahoos Drop Doubleheader To Chattanooga
June 26, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost a doubleheader Sunday to the Chattanooga Lookouts and have yet to beat them this season.
The Blue Wahoos dropped both seven-inning games, 6-0, and are now 0-9 against the Lookouts in the teams’ two five-game series. The Blue Wahoos have now been blanked nine times this season, while the Chattanooga pitching staff has recorded nine shutout wins this year.
Pensacola dropped the first game of the seven-inning doubleheader to Chattanooga, 6-0, Sunday, thanks to 25-year-old Dereck Rodriguez, who was pitching in just his second Double-A game.
Rodriquez allowed just two hits and two walks over six scoreless innings, striking out six for his first win for Chattanooga. Rodriguez earned his first Double-A victory and is now 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA.
Meanwhile, Pensacola starter Jose Lopez gave up four runs on nine hits and four walks over five innings and struck out four. Lopez gave up a home run in the top of the second inning to Chattanooga left fielder Travis Harrison, his first of the season. He fell to 2-1 on the year with a 3.57 ERA for the Blue Wahoos.
Also leading the Chattanooga offense in game one of the doubleheader was center fielder LaMonte Wade, who was 2-3, scored and knocked in two runs, and Andy Wilkins, who hit 3-4, with a double, scored a run and drove in 2 RBIs.
Pensacola’s offense was less productive, managing just three hits in both games. The Blue Wahoos dropped the second game, 6-0, as well, with Fernando Romero tossing seven scoreless innings. He also gave up three walks and struck out six to improve to 7-5 with a 2.97 ERA. The 22-year-old Romero now has 76 Ks in 78.2 innings.
Pensacola starter Domingo Tapia gave up four runs on six hits and two walks in three innings of work to pick up the loss to drop to 2-3 with a 3.38 ERA.
Blue Wahoos first baseman Gavin LaValley was 1-3 in both games and now is 5-14 (.357) hitting in all four games since being called up from the High-A Daytona Tortugas Thursday. The 22-year-old was the only Pensacola batter to get hits in both games and now has two doubles a homerun and three RBIs against Chattanooga.
Pensacola, the Southern League first half South Division champion, will try to avoid being swept in the five-game series by Chattanooga, the first half North Division champion, for the second time this season at 6:15 p.m. Monday.
Pensacola Drops Game, 3-2, to Chattanooga
June 25, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos starter Deck McGuire threw eight scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out six.
But the Chattanooga Lookouts came back from a 2-0 deficit when catcher Dan Rohlfing was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for a walk-off win, 3-2, Saturday over Pensacola at AT&T Field.
Gavin LaValley appeared to have given the Blue Wahoos and All-Star McGuire a 2-0 win in the top of the eighth inning when he laced a double that scored shortstop Josh VanMeter and center fielder Gabriel Guerrero.
In his first two games since being called up from the High-A Daytona Tortugas Thursday, the 22-year-old LaValley has two doubles and a homer in eight at-bats.
Meanwhile, the 6-foot-6 McGuire has shutout his opponents in four of his 11 starts this season with Pensacola.
But Chattanooga came right back in the bottom of the ninth with three runs off Pensacola reliever Geoff Broussard, who gave up three walks, three singles and hit a batter and failed to get an out.
Chattanooga DH Jonathan Rodriguez smacked a single to left field that scored right fielder Edgar Corcino to cut Pensacola’s lead to 2-1. The game was knotted, 2-2, when first baseman Andy Wilkins then hit a line drive into right field that scored left fielder LaMonte Wade. The next two batters walked and then Broussard hit Rohlfing, which scored pinch runner Alex Perez with the game-winning run, 3-2.
Pensacola has lost the first two games of the series and plays a seven-inning doubleheader with Chattanooga at 3:15 p.m. Sunday to make up for Thursday’s rained out game. The five-game series matches the South and North divisions’ first half champions.
Besides LaValley, VanMeter went 2-5 with a run scored for Pensacola. Gabriel Guerrero earned his 24th multi-hit game with a 3-4 night and one run scored. Blue Wahoos third baseman Nick Senzel, the second overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds, was 2-4 for his first multi-hit game in Double-A.
Wahoos Finish First Half At 40-30
June 19, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos finished the first half with three straight losses to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. But more importantly the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds also finished with its fourth consecutive half season title in the Southern League.
The crown matches the Tennessee Smokies, who also won four consecutive halves from 2009 to 2011.
Pensacola fell, 3-2, in the first seven-inning game and, 1-0, in the second game Sunday on a walk-off single with the bases loaded and one out when Jacksonville left fielder Alex Glenn slapped a single to right field to score catcher Austin Nola at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Up until the seventh inning, Pensacola starter Luis Castillo was riding a three-game winning streak. Castillo has pitched 6.1 scoreless innings and given up just two hits before Glenn’s game-winning hit. He dropped to 4-4 with a 2.58 ERA on the season.
Although Pensacola hammered out eight hits, the lineup was 1-8 with runners in scoring position Sunday.
Jacksonville starter Chris Mazza and reliever Andy Beltre combined to shutout Pensacola on eight hits, one walk and five strikeouts over seven innings. It was the Blue Wahoos seventh shutout loss this season with two, 1-0, losses coming in this series with the Jumbo Shrimp.
In the first game, Blue Wahoos second baseman Alex Blandino put Pensacola on the board first, 1-0, when he crushed his sixth homer of the year over the left field fence.
But Jacksonville pushed two runs across in the third inning to take a 2-1 lead, when center fielder Yefri Perez, who leadoff the inning with a double, scored on a bunt by pitcher Omar Bencomo on a throwing error by Pensacola catcher Adrian Nieto. The second run came when Bencomo stored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder John Norwood.
Jacksonville catcher Cam Maron, who played with Pensacola, his a solo shot in the fourth to put the Jumbo Shrimp ahead, 3-1. Pensacola pulled within one run in the top of the seventh, 3-2, when Nieto singled to center to drive in first baseman Eric Jagielo, who leadoff the inning with a walk.
Pensacola starter Deck McGuire lasted four innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on four hits and a walk and striking out two. He picked up the loss and is 6-5 with a 3.50 ERA this year.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville used four pitchers over the seven-inning game, scattering five hits and two walks that led to Pensacola’s two runs, and striking out seven.
Blandino finished the year as one of the hottest hitters in the Pensacola lineup. He earned a hit in 13 of the the last 15 games and three homers, including two against Jacksonville. He batted .367 going 18-49 with 18 RBIs, including two 4-RBI games.
The Cincinnati first round pick in 2014 has 22 doubles in the first half this year, which is just three off his best season when he had 25 in 2015 between High-A Daytona Tortugas and Double-A Pensacola.