Blue Wahoos Sunk By Pair Of Two-Run Homers In Series-Opening Loss To Lookouts
June 19, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
If there’s one element in which the Chattanooga Lookouts have excelled amid a dismal record, it’s hitting home runs.
They did again Tuesday night, putting a damaging dent into the Blue Wahoos’ hopes for another first half divisional win.
A pair of two-run homers in consecutive innings were decisive in Chattanooga’s 4-2 victory, beginning the final week of the first half schedule in a glum way for the Blue Wahoos.
A crowd of 4,034 on a Doggone Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which included the Pace High School state champion softball team, watched the Blue Wahoos (35-28) get few scoring chances against the Lookouts (18-47), who by far have the worst record in the Southern League.
The Blue Wahoos’ loss, coupled by the Montgomery Biscuits’ 6-5 win Tuesday against the Birmingham Barons, dropped the Blue Wahoos 1.5 games behind in the South Division race with just five games left. The Barons hit into a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in their game.
This all followed, of course, the Blue Wahoos winning four of six games last week in Birmingham to get into contention for a third consecutive first half divisional win and automatic playoff berth.
Tuesday’s game started well for Pensacola. Joe Mack homered just inside the right field foul pole for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
The lead was flipped by one swing in the fourth inning. Lookouts third base Nick Northcut, a Cincinnati native playing for the Reds’ Double-A affiliate, hit a two-run homer on a two-out pitch by Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer.
A repeat scenario happened in the sixth inning when Quincy McAfee had a two-run homer, ending Fitterer’s night. The Lookouts tagged him for seven hits in the game.
It gave the Lookouts a total of 51 homers – second-most in the league behind the Tennessee Smokies.
The Blue Wahoos missed chances with two runners on base in the fifth and sixth inning, then had Paul McIntosh thrown out on a double-steal attempt in the eighth. A wild pitch led to a run, but the Lookouts’ Braxton Roxby earned his first save with a clean ninth inning.
The series continues Wednesday.
The game will start at 6:05 p.m. and will be followed by the largest fireworks show of the season.
GAME NOTABLES
Pace High’s prep All-American third baseman Shelby McKenzie, who is heading to join Florida State’s softball team, threw out a first pitch, along with senior teammate Mallory Baker, who was the Patriots’ No. 2 pitcher and outfielder. Baker threw a baseball, then went underhand with the softball in a double first pitch to the Blue Wahoos’ Tanner Allen in pregame ceremonies.
The Patriots finished ranked No. 4 nationally by MaxPreps – the highest ranked softball team in Florida – following their 2-0 win against Bartow in the Class 6A state title game on May 23.
It was a special moment for the Patriots who went to the state final four in all four seasons for the seniors, led by pitching star Jayden Heavener, who was attending an orientation session at LSU, where she will play next season.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
The Chosen 12U Wins Montgomery Tournament
June 18, 2024
The Chosen 12U softball team went undefeated to take first place in a weekend tournament in Montgomery. The victories included a nail-biting squeeze bunt in extra innings for the semi-final victory and a 3-2 thriller in the championship game. The Chosen 12U softball team is home-based in Century with players from Century and the surrounding area. The Chosen team was founded last year in support of one of the player’s mother battling breast cancer. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Gulf Coast Recreation Classic Is This Week At John R. Jones Ballpark
June 17, 2024
Escambia County Parks and Recreation is hosting the 2024 Gulf Coast Recreation Classic this week at the John R. Jones Ballpark on Nine Mile Road.
The first games are on Monday and will continue through Saturday.
Game times Monday through Friday are 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:15 p.m. Saturday games will begin at 9:30 a.m. Roger Scott Athletic Complex will host the 10U division games June 17-18 at 5:30 and 7:15 p.
There will 67 recreation-based all-star teams participating in the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Teams consist of youth baseball players ages 7-15. The tournament is open to the public at no charge. All spectators are welcome support the recreation all-stars.
Escambia County teams include players from Northwest Escambia Baseball, NEP Baseball, the Molino Recreation Association, and Perdido Baseball.
“We’re excited to host the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic for the third year in a row,” Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said. “I’m really proud of our staff for their hard work to make this event happen for our teams. I’d also like to thank our players and their families for their dedication to youth sports. This is a wonderful event for our community, and we look forward to welcoming everyone.”
Pictured: Northwest Escambia won the 10U 2023 championship the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic All-Star Tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Outlast Barons For Doubleheader Sweep, Series Win
June 17, 2024
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (35-27) swept a doubleheader from the Birmingham Barons (39-24) on Sunday and kept pace in the South Division with one week remaining in the Southern League’s first half.
In Game One, the Wahoos jumped out to a first-inning lead against Birmingham starter Noah Schultz (L, 0-1). Center fielder Jakob Marsee was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning before a single from catcher Paul McIntosh placed two runners in scoring position. With two outs in the inning, right fielder Jacob Berry singled to left to score both runners and give the Wahoos a 2-0 lead.
Blue Wahoos lefthander Luis Palacios (W, 4-4) made the early pair of runs stand up with another sparkling performance. Palacios tossed his second quality start of the week against the Barons with a 6.0-inning, one-run outing. Birmingham did not log a hit until left fielder Terrell Tatum singled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Barons eventually scored their lone run of the game in the sixth, but Pensacola righthander Austin Roberts (S, 10) locked down the seventh inning to preserve a 2-1 Blue Wahoos win.
After a low-scoring victory, the Wahoos’ pitching showed out again in Game Two. Pensacola used five different pitchers to get through seven innings, including left-handed starter Cade Gibson, who tossed three shutout innings in his Double-A debut. On the other side, Birmingham starter Ky Bush proved overpowering across seven shutout innings. At the end of seven, Pensacola and Birmingham headed to extra innings tied 0-0.
In the eighth, Pensacola finally broke through for its first run of the game. Right fielder Jacob Berry began the inning at second as the ‘ghost runner’, but promptly stole third base with nobody out. Third baseman Sean Roby then drove home Berry with a sacrifice fly to right field off Birmingham righthander Eric Adler (L, 0-1).
The Blue Wahoos did not score again, but righthander Raffi Vizcaíno (S, 6) handled a turbulent bottom of the eighth. After a strikeout to begin the frame, Birmingham second baseman Jacob Gonzalez hit a deep drive to left-center field. Pensacola left fielder Tanner Allen ran down the ball to make an impressive catch, then watched as the Blue Wahoos infield doubled up Birmingham third baseman Cristopher De Guzman, who was ruled to have tagged from second base too early on the flyout. The unusual 7-6-4 double play closed out the series and a 1-0 Pensacola victory. Lefthander Patrick Murphy (W, 1-2) received the win after pitching a scoreless seventh inning.
With the win, the Wahoos secured their ninth win in 12 games versus Birmingham on the season and return to Pensacola just 0.5 games behind the first-place Montgomery Biscuits in the first half South Division race.
The Blue Wahoos return home on Tuesday, June 18 to face the Chattanooga Lookouts. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
NWE 8U All-Stars Win District Tournament
June 16, 2024
The Northwest Escambia 8U All-Stars won the District 7 tournament on Saturday for the second straight year. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos, Barons Rained Out In Birmingham
June 16, 2024
Saturday’s game between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Birmingham Barons at Regions Field was postponed due to rain.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, June 16. The first pitch of game one will begin at 2:00 p.m. CT, with another game to follow approximately 30 minutes after the first game ends. Both contests will be seven innings.
The Blue Wahoos return home Tuesday for a six-game series against the Chattanooga Lookouts, Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
Blue Wahoos Fall 6-3 To Barons
June 15, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos slipped out of first place on Friday night, dropping game four of their series 6-3 to the Birmingham Barons.
After a 14-3 Montgomery Biscuits win over the Chattanooga Lookouts, the Blue Wahoos trail the Biscuits by 0.5 games in the first half South Division race with eight games to play.
M.D. Johnson (L, 2-4) allowed a season-high six runs over 5.0 innings, starting with a two-run homer to slugger Edgar Quero in the first inning. The Barons added four more in the third, highlighted by a two-run double from Tim Elko, to take an early 6-0 lead.
Birmingham starter Mason Adams (W, 5-3) stayed out of trouble until the fifth, when Cody Morissette hit a two-run homer and Paul McIntosh added an RBI single to cut the deficit to 6-3.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the sixth, but reliever Jake Palisch retired Harrison Spohn on a groundout as the potential go-ahead run to end the threat. Eric Adler (S, 3) served up loud contact in the ninth, but locked down the save to even up the six-game series at two games apiece.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Saturday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
McIntosh, Berry Lead Wahoos Into First Place With 7-1 Win
June 14, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Birmingham Barons 7-1 on Thursday night, moving into first place in the South Division of the Southern League with nine games to play in the first half.
Paul McIntosh broke a scoreless tie with a sixth-inning home run, his second in as many games, against former teammate Jake Eder (L, 2-3). Jacob Berry provided insurance with a three-run double in the eighth to support a four-man pitching effort that limited the Barons to just one run on three hits.
After a 6-1 win for the Chattanooga Lookouts over the Montgomery Biscuits, the Blue Wahoos lead the Biscuits by 0.5 games in the first half South Division race.
Making his first professional start since 2021, Pensacola’s Adam Laskey was outstanding with 4.2 innings of scoreless, two-hit ball. Eder matched him zero for zero, setting a new season high with 10 strikeouts until McIntosh put the Blue Wahoos ahead 1-0 with a line drive homer in the top of the sixth.
Reliever Chandler Jozwiak (W, 2-3) snuffed out a Birmingham rally in the sixth, and the Blue Wahoos added on in the eighth with an RBI single from Joe Mack and a three-run double from Berry. Jakob Marsee notched an RBI double of his own in the ninth, providing more cushion for Pensacola relievers Raffi Vizcaíno and Dale Stanavich to complete the three-hitter.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Friday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Late Rally Not Enough As Wahoos Fall 4-3 To Barons
June 13, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos saw their five-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday afternoon, falling 4-3 to the Birmingham Barons.
The Blue Wahoos didn’t manage a baserunner from the third inning until the ninth, as Barons starter Tyler Schweitzer (W, 1-0) was dominant in his Double-A debut. Paul McIntosh drew Pensacola to within a run with a ninth-inning two-run homer, but Jacob Berry’s double was left aboard as the late rally came up short.
Pending the results of Wednesday night’s game between the Montgomery Biscuits and Chattanooga Lookouts, the Blue Wahoos are tied with the Biscuits in the first half South Division race with 10 games to play.
The Blue Wahoos strung together singles from Berry and Nathan Martorella in the second inning to mount a rally. Though they didn’t cash in with a run-scoring hit, Berry crossed the plate on a wild pitch to take a 1-0 lead.
Evan Fitterer worked in and out of trouble in his start for the Blue Wahoos, tying a career high with nine strikeouts over 5.0 solid innings. The Barons left six men in scoring position against Fitterer, who allowed an RBI double to Jacob Gonzalez in the fifth and departed in a 1-1 tie game.
Zach McCambley (L, 0-1) worked a perfect sixth inning of relief, but ran into trouble in the seventh. Two leadoff walks started the inning, and a McIntosh passed ball allowed Alsander Womack to score the go-ahead run. RBI singles from Gonzalez and Brooks Baldwin gave Birmingham a 4-1 lead.
McIntosh homered in the ninth to mark Pensacola’s first hit since the second inning. Berry followed with a one-out double, but Eric Adler (S, 2) retired both Martorella and Cody Morissette with the tying run at second to finish off Birmingham’s 4-3 victory.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Barons on Thursday. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Tate Lady Aggies Present $25K From Strike Out Cancer Game, Surpassing $200,000 For The Fight Against Cancer
June 12, 2024
The Tate Lady Aggies softball team presented a check for over $25,000 to the American Cancer Society on Tuesday.
The Lady Aggies, along with the West Florida Lady Jaguars, raised the $25,185.28 during the 2024 Strike Out Cancer Game hosted by Tate last spring.
For a Strike Out Cancer photo gallery fro April 2024, click here.
The first year, they raised $2,550 and didn’t know if they would ever beat that mark.
Now 14 years later, the game has now raised over $200,000 for cancer awareness and research.
Also Tuesday, the Lady Aggies took on Navarre in summer softball action. Click here for more.
Submitted and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
