Bleday And Encarnacion Homer, McCambley Shines In Wahoos Win
August 13, 2021
Zach McCambley (W, 1-4) threw five no-hit innings against the Montgomery Biscuits while JJ Bleday and Jerar Encarnacion each homered in Pensacola’s 5-2 win.
McCambley—who had been struggling through most of July—turned his best performance in Double-A. The right-hander allowed only two baserunners and recorded a season-high eight strikeouts. McCambley retired 11 of 12 to open his start and struck out seven of those eleven. At no point throughout his outing did the Biscuits have a runner in scoring position.
Offensively, the Blue Wahoos got started right from the get-go. Bleday opened the first with a double off the top of the right field wall before Encarnacion crushed a two-run homer off Jack Labosky (L, 0-3) over the batter’s eye in center.
The Wahoos added to their 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, when it was Bleday’s turn to unleash his 11th home run of the season. After Connor Justus doubled, Bleday sent Labsoky’s 1-0 offering well over the right field wall to put Pensacola ahead 4-0. Bleday finished the night 2-for-2 with a walk and three RBI. Both home runs for the Wahoos came with two outs in the inning.
Pensacola’s bullpen had only one blemish. Alberto Guerrero surrendered a two-run home run to Ford Proctor, which cut into the Wahoos lead, 5-2. Outside of the night, the pitching was flawless. Colton Hock recorded his league-leading 13th save of the year with a perfect top of the ninth inning.
LHP Jake Eder (3-5, 1.86) will get the Friday night start for the Blue Wahoos. He will be opposed by RHP Jayden Murray (1-1, 3.12)
Wahoos Hit Five Homers; Trounce Biscuits 7-2
August 12, 2021
On a record setting night in more ways than one, the Blue Wahoos clubbed five home runs against the Biscuits while donning their much-anticipated “Crabzilla” uniforms in their 7-2 win on Wednesday.
The game was meant to be a pitching showcase as Max Meyer (W, 6-1), one of the Marlins top pitching prospects, went head-to-head with Brendan McKay (L, 0-2), a former first-round pick who is working himself back to full strength after tearing his labrum in 2020.
Instead, Meyer shined while McKay struggled.
Pensacola’s starter went six innings and allowed two runs on four hits. What stood out from his performance, however, was his command. The right-hander struck out nine Biscuits while issuing zero walks. It’s the first time in his career he did not issue a walk. His nine strikeouts tie his career high, which he has achieved for the third time this year.
McKay was ambushed in his second rehab outing with Montgomery. The Blue Wahoos smashed three home runs in the bottom of the first, one from Griffin Conine, another from Lazaro Alonso, and a third from Peyton Burdick, which tied Aristides Aquino’s 20 homers back in 2018. Leading 3-0 in the bottom of the third, JJ Bleday crushed his 10th home run of the season to make it 4-0.
Mckay finished his night having allowed four runs (all earned) in 2.2 innings. He finished his outing having thrown 44 pitches (22 strikes).
Pensacola erupted for another big inning in the bottom of the sixth. Jerar Encarnacion led off the frame with a solo home run off Mikey York to make it 5-2. It was Encarnacion’s first since returning to the lineup after sustaining an injury on July 7th and his eighth of the season. After another single from Alonso, Brian Navarreto and Demetrius Sims hit back-to-back RBI doubles to put the Wahoos ahead 7-2.
The bullpen responded admirably after a difficult showing yesterday. Two Wahoo relievers pitched the final three innings in scoreless fashion, including a perfect ninth inning from Dylan Bice to close out the game.
A Big Lead Evaporates, Rain Suspends Blue Wahoos And Biscuits
August 11, 2021
The game was rolling smoothing in the Blue Wahoos favor Tuesday against the Montgomery Biscuits.
But the night ended badly.
Leading 7-2 in the ninth inning, the Blue Wahoos surrendered five runs, then were unable to answer with a quick turn at the plate before a massive thunderstorm struck Blue Wahoos Stadium, turning the field into a mess and postponing completion of the game until Wednesday.
The game will be resumed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, tied 7-7 and Montgomery batting in the top of the 10th with a runner on second base. The scheduled game Wednesday will be played 30-45 minutes following completion of the suspended game and will be the designated “Festival of Crabzilla” night with the Blue Wahoos changing into orange-colored uniforms.
But Tuesday seemed a formality after the Blue Wahoos led 6-0 in the sixth, 7-2 through eight innings.
They exploded with a six-run rally in the fifth inning and received strong pitching from starter Kyle Nicolas.
But the bullpen and fielders could not hold it.
The Biscuits got runs in the sixth and seventh. In the ninth, reliever Andrew McInvale, the fourth reliever Pensacola used, was unable to close the game. He gave up a leadoff single, a walk, then an RBI single for the first Biscuits run. Then a ground ball was botched by second baseman Zack Kone to load the bases.
On a 3-2 pitch, McInvale gave up a two-run single to Austin Shenton. The Blue Wahoos then summoned Colton Hock, who was formerly their top closer. He gave up a sacrifice fly to score another run, then a two-run double to tie the game.
With lightning popping nearby and the wind howling, the umpires made a decision to play the bottom of the night. Montgomery got three quick outs when the skies unloaded at 10:10 to halt the game.
It became another no-decision for Nicolas despite throwing five shutout innings.
Making his third Double-A start for the Blue Wahoos, Nicolas allowed just one hit – a bloop single – by Jake Palomaki to lead off the fifth inning. But he struck out the final two batters to end the inning to complete his stellar night.
Nicolas has allowed just two earned runs since being promoted July 27 from the Beloit Snappers, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate in Beloit, Wisconsin. He entered the season ranked as the Marlins’ No. 17 prospect by Baseball America.
J.J. Bleday reached base all five time at the plate on four walks and a single. He drove in a run on bases-load walk in the sixth and later scored in that inning.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
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Big Day For Burdick, But Blue Wahoos Drop Series Finale
August 9, 2021
Biloxi took advantage of some Blue Wahoos miscues in the sixth inning to break open a scoreless game and followed with a 5-2 win Sunday in the series finale between the teams.
The outcome earned the Shuckers (32-52) a split in the six games at MGM Park in Biloxi, Miss. The Blue Wahoos (42-42) dropped back to .500 and extended their struggles to win a series since taking five games from Biloxi during the Fourth of July weekend in Pensacola.
Following the game, the Blue Wahoos returned home and will begin a 12-game homestand on Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium with the first six games against the Montgomery Biscuits. The Biscuits (47-36) are a half-game behind the Mississippi Braves atop their division in the Double-A South.
The Biscuits’ series will feature a special “Social Media Night” on Tuesday, followed by the much-anticipated “Crabzilla Festival” on Wednesday. In that game, the Blue Wahoos will wear custom-made, orange colored uniforms for the Crabzilla promotion in celebration of the popular, monster crab sandwich sold at the ballpark.
In addition, there will be a Giveaway Friday promotion and the standard Saturday fireworks show during the homestand. The Blue Wahoos will then host the Shuckers for a series which begins Aug. 17.
Sunday’s game in Biloxi began with outstanding pitching on both sides. Blue Wahoos starter Jeff Lindgren (3-8, 4.77 ERA) produced one of his finest outings of the season before running into trouble in the sixth.
The Shuckers began their rally with a leadoff double by Ryan Aguilar – only the fourth hit allowed by Lindgren – then followed by scoring three runs without another hit.
A throwing error by Blue Wahoos catcher Santiago Chavez on a sacrifice bunt allowed the first run to score. Then a wild pitch and a one-out walk by Lindgren led to a pitching change. Lindgren left with 5.1 innings pitched four hits, one earned run and walked just one batter in a solid outing.
Reliever Jefry Yan replaced Lindgren and struggled. He threw a wild pitch, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly, then hit a batter and walked the next two to force in a third run.
The Shuckers added two more runs in the seventh inning on an error, plus solo home run off reliever Matt Pobereyko.
The Blue Wahoos got their first run in the eighth inning after Peyton Burdick led off with a walk and eventually scored on Chris Chinea’s one-out single.
It was another big game for Burdick, who went 3-for-4 and drove in a ninth-inning run. He will enter the homestand needing one home run to match the Blue Wahoos’ franchise record (20) set by the Cincinnati Reds’ Aristides Aquino during his tenure in Pensacola.
Chinea had two hits in the game, along with a walk to boost his average to .278.
In the first six innings, the Blue Wahoos had just two hits, both by Burdick, and only four baserunners. The Shuckers first three pitchers combined to record seven strikeouts and just two walks.
Up next, the Blue Wahoos will host the Montgomery Biscuits August 10-15. Games Tuesday through Friday start at 6:35 p.m., then 6:05 p.m. on Saturday and 4:05 p.m. on Sunday.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos senior writer
Wahoos Rebound From Friday’s Loss With Shutout Win Over Biloxi
August 8, 2021
Behind a brilliant performance from Will Stewart (W, 5-5) the Blue Wahoos shut out the Shuckers 4-0 on Saturday night at MGM Park.
Stewart, who entered play today in sensational form—needed just 70 pitches to hurl six shutout innings against the Shuckers. He did so while surrendering only three hits and one walk while striking out three. The only blemishes on his night were a pair of errors, which ultimately had no impact on the game.
The first came in the top of the third when he failed to pick up a David Hamilton bunt attempt with his glove. However, Stewart struck out the next two batters to end the inning. In the fifth, his throw to first on a swinging bunt was low and skipped past Lazaro Alonso for a two-base throwing error. In that inning—and Biloxi’s best chance at scoring—the Shuckers literally ran themselves out of the inning with a bizarre double play.
With runners at second and third, Stewart fielded a comebacker to the mound that caused Cam Devanney to be in a rundown between third and home. The Wahoos ran Devanney back to third; however, the runner who started at second (Hamilton) was on third base as Devanney approached the bag. Devanney gave himself up as Santiago Chavez tagged him out; but at that same moment, Hamilton retreated to second base. The Wahoos then had Hamilton in a rundown and ultimately, he was tagged out to end the inning.
Since July 1st, Stewart has an ERA has a 2.43 ERA, which is the lowest in the Double-A South. He is also 1-0 over his previous two starts against Biloxi, with 12 shutout innings and only five hits allowed against the Brewers’s Double-A affiliate.
After Stewart’s six innings, Pensacola’s bullpen retired all nine batters they faced to end the game.
Offensively, Peyton Burdick led the way with a 2-for-3 night that included his 19th home run of the season. Tied at 0-0, Burdick turned the first pitch he saw from Carlos Luna (L, 1-2) around and drilled it to left to put Pensacola ahead 1-0. He later singled in the fifth and added two walks giving him 63 on the year (most in Double-A).
Pensacola doubled their lead in the top of the fifth when Griffin Conine knocked a two-out RBI single to right that scored Chavez. In the seventh, JJ Bleday snapped a 0-for-19 skid with a two-out two-run double to put the Wahoos ahead 4-0.
Pensacola looks to close out the series with a win in Sunday’s finale
Heavy Hitters Go Quiet In 4-0 Shutout Loss
August 7, 2021
Noah Zavolas (W, 4-6) pitched seven shutout innings as Pensacola came up short in a 4-0 loss to Biloxi Friday night at MGM Park.
Zavolas turned in one of his best outings of the year scattering five hits and three walks across his start while also striking out seven.
The Wahoos best chance to score may have come early in the game. In the top of the first the Wahoos loaded the bases via three Zavolas walks; however, Demetrius Sims flew out to right field with two outs to end the threat.
In an abbreviated outing for Pensacola, Jake Eder (L, 3-5) was handed a tough-luck loss as he yielded one unearned run in three innings of work. After Eder retired the leadoff hitter to begin the bottom of the first, Sims and Marcos Rivera botched back-to-back grounders to set up the Shuckers with first and second and only one out. Alexander Palma followed with an RBI single to put the Shuckers ahead 1-0. Eder remained composed and forced David Fry into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.
Eder finished the night having surrendered one hit and picked up three strikeouts in his three innings on Friday,
In the second inning, Santiago Chavez led off the road half of the inning with a lead-off double for the Wahoos. Zavolas, unphased, retired the next three batters to end the potential threat.
Pensacola’s top four hitters in the lineup (JJ Bleday, Peyton Burdick, Griffin Conine and Brian Navarreto) struggled against Biloxi’s starter. The four hitters finished the night a combined 0-for-14 with two walks and four strikeouts.
Most of Biloxi’s damage came late in the game. Eight of the Shuckers 10 hits came in the final three innings of the game. After Alberto Guerrero allowed a run in his 2.1 innings of work, Dylan Bice was tagged for a pair of runs, courtesy of a David Hamilton two-run homer in the seventh.
Trailing 4-0, Colton Hock made his return to the Blue Wahoos. He worked a scoreless eighth inning in his first appearance since July 4th, which was also against the Shuckers.
Northview’s Student Athletes Rank No. 6 Academically In Florida Class 1A
August 6, 2021
All of Northview High School’s student athletes were collectively ranked No. 6 academically in the state in Class 1A for the 2020-2021 school year, according to rankings from the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Northview High School students not only work hard athletically, but also in the classroom,” said Obreonne Smith, Northview athletic director. “This is a great accomplishment for the students, staff and school.”
Pictured: Class of 2021 members of the Northview High School Lady Chiefs softball team. Pictured below: Last year’s Chiefs baseball team celebrates a district win over Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Burdick And Conine Homer Again In Wahoos 10-2 Loss To The Shuckers
August 6, 2021
The Shuckers used a five-run sixth inning and hit a combined four homers in their 10-2 win over the Wahoos on Thursday at MGM Park.
Pensacola got off to the perfect start when Griffin Conine hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first off Justin Bullock (W, 2-0) to put the Wahoos up 1-0. For Conine it was his third homer in two days and his 29th of the season, which is the most in MiLB.
Unfortunately, Zach McCambley (L, 0-4) he was hit hard early and failed to make it past the fifth inning for the third time in five starts. David Hamilton and David Fry each homered off McCambley in the bottom of the first. In the second, Ryan Aguilar hit a two-run home run to put the Shuckers up 4-1.
After Peyton Burdick hit a solo home run in the top of the third, the Shuckers responded with a Mitch Longo home run to extend Biloxi’s lead up to 5-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, Biloxi sent 10 men to the plate and scored five times. After Tyler Stevens was lifted for Jefry Yan, Pensacola had a chance to escape the inning with no damage dealt. With the bases loaded and two outs, Yan induced a ground ball from Mitch Longo, however, the ball was misplayed by Demetrius Sims. Four more runs came home to score after the error, and when the dust settled, Biloxi led by eight.
Tevin Mitchell and Zack Kone each made their Double-A debuts, and both players tallied their first career Double-A hits. The loss snaps Pensacola’s three game-winning streak and is only the fourth loss in 15 tries against the Shuckers this year.
LHP Jake Eder (3-4, 1.95) gets the start for Pensacola in Friday’s contest against Biloxi. He will be opposed by RHP Noah Zavolas (3-6, 5.40).
Wahoos Slug Their Way To Third Win In A Row
August 5, 2021
The Blue Wahoos won their third game in a row thanks to a five-homer night in a 9-6 win over the Biloxi Shuckers on Wednesday night at MGM Park.
In the bottom of the first inning, Peyton Burdick and Griffin Conine hit back-to-back homers against Jesus Castillo (L, 3-6) to put the Wahoos up 2-0. After the Shuckers tacked an unearned run against Meyer in the bottom of the first, the Wahoos restored their two-run lead when Chris Chinea smoked an RBI double that scored Demetrius Sims.
The Wahoos soon put the game out of reach with a five-run fifth inning that extended the lead to 7-1. Galli Cribbs hit a two-run homer off Castillo in the inning for his first Double-A homer since August 24th, 2019. Later in the inning, Conine belted his second homer of the night off Castillo, his fifth with the Blue Wahoos and his 28th this season. After MJ Melendez hit three home runs tonight for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, both Conine and Melendez are tied for the MiLB lead in homers this year.
In the sixth, Burdick crushed his crushed his 17th homer of the year with a no-doubter to left. According to Trackman technology, the projected distance on Burdick’s home run was 457 feet and possessed an exit velocity of 114 mph. Burdick finished the evening with three hits and two RBI.
Other notable performances include Connor Justus, who finished the night 3-for-3. Justus has now hit safely in five straight games, and during that stretch is slashing .500/.545/.700. Chris Chinea also went 3-for-5 with two RBI for Pensacola.
The offensive explosion distracts from another fine outing from Max Meyer (W, 5-1) who now leads the team in wins. Meyer—who allowed baserunners in all five of his innings—demonstrated poise while neutralizing nearly every rally Biloxi attempted to orchestrate. With runners at first and third in the first inning, Meyer struck out Chad Spanberger to limit the damage to one unearned run. In the same scenario in the third, Meyer induced a Spanberger groundout to keep the Shuckers off the board. Ultimately, Meyer allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out six compared to one walk.
Despite a few late-inning runs from the Shuckers, the game was never seriously in threat for the Wahoos. Pensacola will attempt to make it four consecutive wins in Thursday’s contest against the Shuckers.
Photos: Jay High Day At The Blue Wahoos
August 4, 2021
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos held Jay Day on Monday, featuring the Jay High School Royals and a local state championship softball team.
The Jay High band performed the National Anthem, and the Jay Royals varsity and junior varsity cheerleading squads also performed.
New principal Benjie West, a Jay graduate who took over June 4, threw out the first pitch.
And the The Tri-County 8-10 Softball All-Star Team was honored for winning the Florida Little League state championship.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Photos courtesy Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
