Rortvedt, Davis Each Homer Twice In Wahoos 6-4 Loss To Mississippi
May 31, 2019
It had been over a full calendar year since the last time a Blue Wahoo hit two home runs in a game. Thursday night, a pair of Wahoo sluggers went deep twice, but the Blue Wahoos still fell 6-4 to the Mississippi Braves.
In game three of a five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium, the M-Braves took an early 2-0 lead over Pensacola in the first inning against opener Williams Ramirez. With two outs, Tyler Neslony tripled to right, barely beating a rapid relay from the outfield and sliding under the tag at third. The next batter, Ryan Casteel launched a two-run home run.
The score stayed locked at 2-0 until the fourth inning when Pensacola cut the lead in half with a towering home run off the bat of Ben Rortvedt.
The Braves answered immediately in the top of the fifth, stringing together singles by Christian Pache and Drew Waters with two outs before Neslony drilled a three-run shot off Jorge Alcala, his second home run in as many days against the Wahoos.
Prior to the fifth, Alcala had pitched strong in relief of Ramirez, throwing 3.0 scoreless innings on just two hits. He finished the night with a line of 5.0 innings pitched, five hits and three runs allowed, two walks, and six strikeouts. For Alcala, it was his third straight outing following an opener, a role in which he holds a 6.59 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings pitched.
Trailing 5-1, Jaylin Davis lofted a no-doubt solo shot in the sixth inning for Pensacola to keep the Wahoos in the ballgame.
Davis would strike again in his next at-bat, lining another solo shot over the left field wall in the eighth.
The Braves also added a run in the eighth on back-to-back doubles by Riley Unroe and Luis Valenzuela off reliever Sam Clay, who struck out six over 3.0 innings of relief.
The Wahoos made it interesting in the ninth. With one out, Rortvedt knocked an opposite field solo home run, his second of the night. With the score now 6-4, Caleb Hamilton followed with a single up the middle.
With the tying run at the plate, the Braves turned to Jeremy Walker in relief to try and close out the game for the second straight night. For the second straight night, he delivered, retiring the next two batters to preserve the win for Mississippi.
Over in Biloxi, Brewers prospect Trey Supak came within one out of a no-hitter in a 3-0 win for the Shuckers over the Tennessee Smokies. With the Wahoos loss and Biloxi’s win Thursday, Pensacola’s lead in the Southern League South Division is down to just 1.0 game.
The Wahoos and Braves will play again Friday night wiith righty Andro Cutura (0-2, 6.87 ERA) on the mound for Pensacola against Braves #2 pitching prospect Ian Anderson (2-3, 3.38 ERA).
Five Home Runs Power Blue Wahoos To 7-0 Win
May 29, 2019
The Blue Wahoos launched five home runs into Tuesday’s thick, humid air during a season-high home run show in a 7-0 victory against the Mississippi Braves to start an extended homestand at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
There was plenty of entertainment at the ballpark Tuesday on the Summer Kickoff and Out of School Fireworks Night game theme.
No team in nine years had hit five home runs against the M-Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, which has been an organization full of talented arms. The last time it happened was April 10, 2010.
“Home runs definitely come and go. They are contagious, I can tell you that,” said Blue Wahoos catcher Caleb Hamilton, whose two-run blast in the second inning became all the offense needed. He finished 2-for-4 while catching the Blue Wahoos tenth shutout win this season.”Other than the one Travis (Blankenhorn) hit Sunday, we haven’t hit a bunch recently, so it was nice to kinda explode out.”
No team in all levels of baseball has thrown more shutout wins than the Blue Wahoos. Tonight’s shutout came after a week of roster moves that left the Blue Wahoos without four of the five starting pitchers that comprised their rotation just a week ago.
Another former Wahoos starting pitcher, Devin Smeltzer, wowed Tuesday in his major league debut with the Minnesota Twins, throwing six scoreless innings in the Twins eventual 5-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.
“I am so happy for him,” said Hamilton. “I love that kid to death.”
Four Pensacola pitchers combined Tuesday to rack up 15 strikeouts against the M-Braves, led by new starter Bryan Sammons, who had eight in four innings of work.
Sammons, 23, a left-hander elevated Monday from the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins’ Advance-A affiliate, struck out the side in the first and second innings – mixed around three walks – but his pitch count (80) for innings prevented a longer night.
“It is always fun when you get moved up and make that first start for a new team,” said Sammons, a Western Carolina University grad and eighth round pick by the Twins in 2017. He pitched one game last year in Double-A for then affiliate Chattanooga.
“I didn’t necessarily have the control I wanted, but overall I will take the outing and look forward to improving from here on out,” said Sammons. It was probably a little extra jitters, but after the first batter you get back to playing baseball again. I felt I was pitching better as the game went on.”
Like the Twins have done this season, the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday displayed a diverse power show.
Outfielder Jimmy Kerrigan returned from being sidelined a month to hit a homer, his third this season. Alex Kirilloff, a top-10 overall prospect in the game, blasted his first Double-A homer in the eighth inning, following a first-inning double.
Shortstop Jordan Gore hit his first home run this season with a solo shot in the seventh that followed Mitchell Kranson’s two-run bomb three batters earlier.
“Kirilloff had his first one, Jordan had his first one, Jimmy hit one. That was very good to see,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego.
The win pushed the Blue Wahoos’ league-best record to 31-20 and kept two-games ahead of surging Biloxi, the Brewers’ affiliate, in the Southern League South Division, setting up a two-team race for the first half, division title between the Gulf Coast rivals.
After allowing 31 runs against the Tennessee Smokies, the Blue Wahoos staff settled back into a season-long groove Tuesday. Relievers Adam Bray, Tom Hackimer, and Sam Clay followed Sammons with a combined five innings, allowing just one hit, no walks and getting seven strikeouts.
“It’s great to see Sammons in his debut,” Borrego said. “He gave us a solid outing. He ran a little bit out of gas because of the pitches he threw, but he was able to battle through four innings.”
The Wahoos and M-Braves will square off again Wednesday night in game two of Pensacola’s 10 game home stand.
NWE 14U Team Receives Tournament Rings
May 28, 2019
The Northwest Escambia 14U baseball team recently received their runner-up rings for finishing second of seven teams from the PARA Park Baseball League. Picture are (front, L-R) Luke Bridges, Caden Mills, Aron Chavira, Braeden McGhee, Josh Diamond, Josh Landis, Drake Allen Driskell, Trent Knighten, J. P. Gilman, (back) Team Manager Allen Driskell, Coach Eric Jefferson, Judson Lee, Jamarkus Jefferson, Coach Justin Mills and Coach Philip Gilman. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blankenhorn Caps Wild Wahoos Comeback Win With Ninth Inning Homer
May 27, 2019
In maybe their most memorable win this season, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos pulled off their biggest comeback twice in a wild, stunning 11-10 road win Sunday against the Tennessee Smokies.
Trailing 4-0 early in the game, then 10-4 after six innings, the Blue Wahoos scored seven runs in the final three innings at Smokies Stadium to take the series finale off their five game road series in Tennessee.
While the Smokies took the series 3-2, the Blue Wahoos win Sunday provided a jolt of good vibe for a 500-plus mile trip back to Pensacola. It also kept the Blue Wahoos (30-20) two games ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers, who won Sunday, in the Southern League South Division standings.
After tying the game in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded walk to Caleb Hamilton and RBI sacrifice fly by Ernie De La Trinidad, the Blue Wahoos scored the go-ahead run on Travis Blankenhorn’s leadoff home run in the ninth.
It was Blankenhorn’s eighth homer this season and he continued his torrid pace at the plate, going 4-for-6 with four RBI. Since he was promoted to Pensacola on April 26, Blankenhorn leads the Southern League in home runs, slugging (563) and total bases (67).
On the mound, facing a starting pitching shortage, the Blue Wahoos turned to Andro Cutura for his second spot start of the series. Two of Pensacola’s starters, Randy Dobnak and Sean Poppen, have been promoted to AAA over the past two days and two more (Brusdar Graterol and Griffin Jax) have recently gone on the injured list.
Cutura allowed four runs on seven hits, only pitching into the second inning. With two outs in the second, Pensacola turned to Jeff Ames, who stranded two inherited runners and threw 2.0 scoreless.
Cody Stashak and Ryan Mason, who have been strong in relief this season, struggled in succession after replacing Jeff Ames in the fourth inning, combining to allow six runs over 2.1 innings.
Tyler Jay followed with 1.1 scoreless, setting up Williams Ramirez to earn the win with 1.2 hitless innings of relief as the Blue Wahoos bats came alive late.
The Blue Wahoos turned the game’s direction in the seventh while trailing 10-4 when Ben Rortvedthit a two-run homer, then Blankenhorn followed with a two-out, two run, bases-loaded single to score Hamilton and Mark Contreras, who both walked, cutting Tennessee’s lead to 10-8.
In the eighth inning, Mitchell Kranson singled, then Jaylin Davis and Rortvedt were both hit by pitches to load the bases. With the bases jammed, Caleb Hamilton worked a walk to bring home a run and pull Pensacola within one. Ernie De La Trinidad then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 10-10.
Blankenhorn homered leading off the 10th to give Pensacola their first lead of the game at 11-10 and Ramirez retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to seal the win.
All-in-all, the two teams combined for 31 hits in the game. Pensacola allowed a season-high 19 while knocking 12 themselves.
Kranson finished 3-for-5, joining Blankenhorn as the other Blue Wahoos batter with multiple hits.
After an off-day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos will begin a 10-game homestand on Tuesday as they take on the Mississippi Braves.
Wahoos Fall By 5-1 Score For Second Straight Night
May 26, 2019
Travis Blankenhorn led off the game with a home run, but it was the only offense Pensacola would muster as their struggles against Tennessee continued on Saturday night.
The Smokies jumped on Pensacola starter Melvi Acosta, who made his Double-A debut, for eight hits and five runs early in Saturday’s game en route to a 5-1 victory before a crowd of 6,202 at Smokies Stadium.
The win clinched the series for Tennessee (25-23) and became the Blue Wahoos (29-20) sixth loss in the past nine games and their second series loss of the season.
In his first appearance with Pensacola, Acosta got through the first two innings without problem before Vimael Machin hit a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Smokies the lead. The Smokies scored three more runs in the fifth inning after three consecutive hits and a fielding error.
For Pensacola, Alex Kirilloff went 2-for-4, his third multii-hit effort in his last four games, and Ernie De La Trinidad went 2-for-3.
Beyond Blankenhorn’s home run, it was another frustrating game for the team at the plate. The Blue Wahoos had the leadoff batter on base in the fifth through the eighth innings, either by a base hit or an error. Each time, they couldn’t use the opportunity to build a rally.
The Blue Wahoos and Smokies will close out the holiday series on Sunday. After the game, the Blue Wahoos will travel back to Pensacola.
All Southern League teams have Memorial Day Monday off. The Blue Wahoos will then begin a 10-game, two team homestand, beginning on Tuesday against the Mississippi Braves.
Four-Run Sixth Inning Downs Pensacola Against Tennessee
May 25, 2019
A night after setting a career high for hits, the Blue Wahoos managed just five in a 5-1 loss to Tennessee on Friday evening.
After scoring the game’s first run in the third inning, the Blue Wahoos (29-19) missed opportunities with leadoff baserunners in the middle innings, then had their last nine batters retired in order to end the game.
The win pushed Tennessee (24-23) back above .500 and gave the Smokies a 2-1 series edge heading into Saturday night’s fourth game.
Pensacola scored their only run in the third. Travis Blankenhorn singled, then stole second. Alex Kirilloff followed with an RBI single.
The Smokies tied the game with a run in the fourth against Pensacola’s Jorge Alcala, who entered in the third inning after Sam Clayworked two scoreless innings in an opener role.
The sixth inning changed the game. After giving up a leadoff walk and single, Alcala committed a throwing error on a fielder’s choice play that loaded the bases. He then gave up consecutive singles that scored three runs. After intentionally loading the bases again, a one-out sacrifice fly scored the fourth run of the inning.
Alcala (5-2) absorbed the loss, his first since April 26 when he allowed six runs against Jacksonville in a three-inning outing that was his shortest this season.
The Blue Wahoos missed a chance to get back into the game when the first two batters in the sixth inning reached on walks. But Mitchell Kranson was picked off first base, then reliever P.J. Higgins got a pair of ground outs to end the inning.
In the seventh, Ben Rortvedt led off with a walk, but Higgins retired the next three batters. The Blue Wahoos were retired in order in the eighth and ninth.
Northview’s Venable Signs With Enterprise State
May 24, 2019
Northview High School’s Nicholas Venable has signed to play at Enterprise State Community College.
He accepted a full baseball scholarship and will utilized as an infielder. At Northview, Venable led the state in 1A baseball in steals with 31. His batting average was .550, with 10 doubles and three triples. His only strikeout of his senior year was his final at bat against Bozeman in the state tournament.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Set Season High In Hits In 10-5 Victory
May 24, 2019
Much like Wednesday night, the Blue Wahoos fell behind early on Thursday evening in Tennessee against the Smokies.
But this time, they hit back in the biggest way.
Every Blue Wahoos batter had at least one hit as Pensacola produced a season-high 15 hits in a 10-5 win at Smokies Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos (29-18) put up a trio of crooked innings, erasing an early 3-0 deficit by scoring four times in the second, twice in the fifth, and three times in the sixth. Four Wahoos had multiple hits, led by Travis Blankenhorn (3-5, 3 RBI, 3 R) and Jaylin Davis (3-4, HR, 2 R).
On the mound, Blue Wahoos starter Sean Poppen had his shortest outing of the season, exiting after giving up three runs on five singles in the first inning.
Williams Ramirez replaced him in the second and worked the next three innings, allowing just one hit to earn his first win in his second game with the Wahoos.
After falling behind 3-0, the offense immediately responded, scoring four runs in the second to take the lead. Taylor Grzelakowski led off with a walk. Caleb Hamilton singled. Mark Contreras followed with an RBI double. With two out, Travis Blankenhorn smashed a two-run double. Alex Kirilloff followed with a single to score Blankenhorn.
After the Blue Wahoos answered with those four runs in the second, the game stayed that way until the fifth inning.
In that frame, the Blue Wahoos padded their lead with two out. With Blankenhorn on second base after a leadoff single, Davis walked. Grzelakowski followed with a two run-double down the right field line to score both runners.
After the Smokies added a run in their half of the fifth, the Blue Wahoos answered with three more runs in the sixth inning. Jordon Gore’s one-out double scored Joe Cronin, who had hit a one out single. Blankenhorn then singled home Gore. Blankenhorn moved to second on Kirilloff’s walk, then scored on Mitchell Kranson’s single.
Relievers Ryan Mason and Cody Stashak continued their superb finishes by keeping the Smokies scoreless in the final three innings. The pair allowed just one hit.
With the series tied at 1-1, the Wahoos and Smokies will continue their five-game series tomorrow evening in Tennessee at 6:00 PM. Jorge Alcala (5-1, 4.09), the #18 prospect in the Twins system, is scheduled to start for Pensacola against Cubs #8 prospect Justin Steele (0-4, 9.33 ERA)
Wahoos Fall To The Smokies 9-3
May 23, 2019
The Blue Wahoos started their longest road trip Wednesday in a tough way.
Their league-best pitching took a hit, after the Tennessee Smokies jumped to a big league and cruised to a 9-3 victory against the Blue Wahoos in the series opener at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tenn.
Five relievers followed Blue Wahoos starter Andro Cutera, who faced only 11 batters and gave up six hits and three runs. In the fourth inning, Adam Bray was unable to get an out in the seven batters he faced as the Smokies extended a 3-1 lead into 8-1.
It was the second-most runs allowed by the Blue Wahoos this season. The Blue Wahoos (28-18) entered Wednesday with a 2.61 earned run average, the lowest among all 30 Double-A teams, and watched it jump 15 points tonight.
The Smokies (23-22), the Chicago Cubs affiliate, counter in this series with the Southern League’s best team batting average (.247) and they padded their league-best hit total Wednesday with 12 hits, all singles.
But with the Mobile BayBears beating Biloxi, the Blue Wahoos did not lose ground Wednesday atop the standings with a four game lead.
It was Cutura’s first start for the Blue Wahoos since April 19. He has been on the injured list since making his last appearance in a relief role on April 25.
The game followed the first off day for both teams in 20 days. The Blue Wahoos left at mid-day Tuesday for the 525 mile trip to Kodak, located just outside of Knoxville.
Tennessee shortstop Vimael Machin went 4-for-5 in the game and drove in three runs. First baseman Jared Young also had three RBI.
The Blue Wahoos briefly tied the game in the top of the second when Caleb Hamilton led off with a double, moved to third on Ben Rortvedt’s single and scored on Ernie De La Trinidad’s sacrifice fly.
But in the bottom of the second, after Cutura retired the first two batters, he gave up two singles, along with a wild pitch that led to the first run. He was lifted after the next two batters reached on a walk and single.
The Blue Wahoos got two runs in the fifth on RBI singles from Mitchell Kranson and Rortvedt, who went 3-for-4 in the game. Hamilton and Alex Kirilloff each had two hits.
The teams will play the second game of this series Thursday.
Northview’s Aubree Love Inks To Play Softball With Coastal Alabama
May 22, 2019
Northview High School’s Aubree Love committed Tuesday to play softball at Coastal Alabama Community College. Love, who graduated on Saturday, will be attending Coastal on an academic scholarship. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
