Neptune Leads Tate As The Aggies Roll Over Gulf Breeze 41-0
August 31, 2024
The Tate Aggies added another to the win column with a decisive 41-0 victory over the Gulf Breeze Dolphins on Friday night. The dominant performance showcased the Aggies’ offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.
Christian Neptune led the way for Tate, showcasing his versatility with big plays both on the ground and through the air. Early in the game, Tate quarterback Taite Davis threw between the defensive back’s hands to find Neptune to put the Aggies up 7-0.
Demorian Clay scored from two yards out to extend the Aggie lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter.
Neptune wasn’t done, racking up yardage on seven straight runs after halftime in Gulf Breeze. On a screen pass, the senior broke free for a 53-yard touchdown on a screen pass. The Aggies converted the two-point conversion, giving them a comfortable 21-0 advantage with just under eight minutes on the clock in the third.
But wait…there was one more TD from Neptune when he had a long reception from 44 yards out and another score.
Tate recovered the ensuing kickoff and Taite Davis connected with Elijah West from seven yards out for another score that put it 34-0 after three.
The Aggies’ defense was equally impressive, shutting down the Dolphins’ offense throughout the game. Their ability to limit Gulf Breeze’s offensive opportunities was a key factor in the victory.
After back-to-back shutouts, the Aggies improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2017.
Next week, the Aggies will wrap up a three-game road series at the Pensacola High Tigers.
Northview Chiefs Drop Road Game To Opp
August 31, 2024
The Northview Chiefs suffered a 34-7 defeat at the hands of the Opp Bobcats on Friday night in Opp, Alabama.
The lone bright spot for the Chiefs came in the third quarter, when junior quarterback Dane King connected with sophomore JJ Jacobs for a touchdown (pictured top).
Northview, now 1-1 on the season, will look to regroup and bounce back next week. They will travel to Freeport to take on the Bulldogs, who are coming off a 34-0 shutout loss to the Jay Royals Thursday night.
The Chiefs will return home to Bratt for their Senior Night game against Central on September 13.
Photos by www.joeleeimages.com (sports photographer for the Opp Bobcats) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
August 31, 2024
Here are this week’s North Escambia area football scores from Thursday and Friday night action.
FLORIDA
- Tate 41, Gulf Breeze 0 [Game recap]
- Opp 34, Northview 7 [Photos, story]
- West Florida 34 Washington 33 (OT)
- Niceville 42, Escambia 21
- Pensacola Catholic 34, Pace 20
- J.U. Blacksher 44. Central 6
- Daphne 34 Pine Forest 7
- Choctaw 35, Navarre 0
- Jay 34, Freeport 6 (Thursday)
- Pensacola 16, Milton 7 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 43,Chickasaw 0
- T.R. Miller 40, Straughn 7
- Excel 29, W.S. Neal 28 (Thursday)
- Jackson Academy 27, Escambia Academy 20
- Escambia County 33, Monroe County 8
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Miss On Chances As M-Braves Even Series
August 31, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
A night after a memorable comeback win, the Blue Wahoos again had a sixth-inning chance at a go-ahead rally.
This time it fizzled. And then loomed large the rest of the way.
The Mississippi Braves broke through with a pair of late-inning, solo homers and their bullpen – led by former Pensacola State College star Patrick Halligan – did the rest in a 4-2 win Friday to even the series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 4,089 watched a battle of the bullpens in the final four innings.
With the game tied in the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with one out. M-Braves lefthanded reliever Drew Parrish dug in.
Parrish, a Merritt Island native who pitched at Florida State, located a 3-2 fastball that froze Graham Pauley on a called strikeout. He then threw a cutter to strike out Joe Mack swinging to end the inning. The Blue Wahoos finished the game 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos only managed one hit. Halligan pitched in the seventh and eighth innings, giving up one hit, a walk and three strikeouts to earn his sixth win. He is now 5-1 with a 2.16 earned run average and has allowed just two runs in his last nine appearances.
Halligan, 24, a Vienna, Virginia native, was drafted out of PSC in 2021 as a 13th round pick by the Kansas City Royals. He was acquired by the Atlanta Braves as a minor league free agent before the 2023 season. Halligan earned a hold in the M-Braves’ win Wednesday against the Blue Wahoos.
Pauley drove in the Blue Wahoos’ first run in the first inning on a single that scored Nathan Martorella, who had hit a one-out double.
The M-Braves took a 2-1 lead on Cody Milligan’s two-run single against Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller in the fifth inning. Miller had another strong start. He did not allow a hit in the first four innings and finished with two hits allowed and three strikeouts in five innings pitched.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game in their half of the fifth. Paul McIntosh’s two-out single scored Pauley, who had reached on a single.
The M-Braves’ Cal Conley hit a two-out homer off Justin King in the eighth. Yolbert Sanchez homered off Dale Stanavich in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will try to take a lead in the series with Saturday’s game in the second-to-final fireworks night of the season. Robby Snelling will be on the mound for the Blue Wahoos against the M-Braves’ Lucas Braun.
$90 Million Proposed For Indoor Sports Facility At Ashton Brosnaham Park And Bay Center Upgrades
August 30, 2024
An indoor sports facility costing up to $60 million could be coming to Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park, and the Pensacola Bay Center could see a $30 million upgrade funding with tourism tax dollars.
Those ideas were pitched to the Tourist Development Council Thursday afternoon, but decisive action was not taken on either item.
Ashton Brosnaham Indoor Sports Facility
A proposal for an indoor sports facility at the county-owned Ashton Brosnaham Park calls for a building that’s 100,000 square foot, including 73,000 square feet of open floor space that would be large enough to host eight basketball courts that could be converted into 16 volleyball courts with support space, or it could be used as large exhibition hall for other types of events.
Other key takeaways on the proposed facility:
- 14 acres of the park is flat, open, undeveloped and already zone for recreation
- 700+ paved parking spaces in the current design
- Primary support for hardwood sports and related events
- Open common areas would include meeting spaces, viewing areas, vendor space, concessions, retail space
- Second floor walking track and viewing area
- Open to the public for recreation, will also host tournaments and events
- Collaboration with Escambia County Public Schools on access and utilization
- Community use of facility on non-tournament dates
- Projected operating deficit offset by ~$37 million in economic impact per year
- Projected new tax revenues of ~$2.7 million per year
- Total project cost range: $48 – $61 million
“It’s a tried and proven location; it doesn’t get any better than the SEC,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said The Park has hosted the 2024 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament and will host it again this year on November 3-10. “We are willing to grow that, and we want to grow that and make that (Ashton Brosnaham Park) the true sports destination in Escambia County. Which we feel it’s already one its way.”
Rhodes said the school district has expressed a willingness to provide property for second roadway into the facility that would also benefit current soccer programs that have 700-800 youth players annually.
“It’s in a growing area in our community,” Rhodes added as he touted Ashton Brosnaham of 10 Mile Road as the perfect location. “This project can be a win-win for everybody…and this is something that will stand the test of time.”
A feasibility study funded by Pensacola Sports came in at 155 pages, but TDC members only saw a 12-page presentation Thursday.
Pensacola Bay Center
A plan to spend $43 million, with $30 million coming from a bond issue by the TDT, was also presented.
The upgrades would modernize the aging facility and add more seating for events like concerts.
What’s next?
TDC member Jim Reeves made motion to approve a $90 million bond issue for the sports facility and Bay Center, but no vote was taken. A substitute motion by council members Mitesh Patel called for special meeting on both proposals.
The Escambia County Tourist Development Council makes recommendations for final decisions by the Board of County Commissioners.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphics, click to enlarge.
Mack’s Blast Ignites Blue Wahoos Rally, Comeback Win
August 30, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
It’s been a while since the Blue Wahoos had an inning, or a home rally, quite like they staged Thursday.
And it’s only fitting that catcher Joe Mack was the centerpiece of the production.
Mack attacked the first pitch he saw in the sixth inning from knuckleball thrower David Fletcher, blasting a 3-run homer that tied the game, lit up the crowd, energized the home dugout and led to Pensacola’s 8-7 victory Thursday against the Mississippi Braves at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“He’s got the knuckleball and that’s pretty much the only pitch he’s going to throw,” said Mack, who has now hit 22 homers this season, second-most in the Southern League.
“So, I was just trying to put myself in a good spot to hit that pitch and hit (the ball) on the barrel and whatever happens, happens.
“And I was ready for it. And (the pitch) looked good for me and I just went and I ended up tying the game. Going around those bases it was awesome hearing the crowd cheer and I wanted to help my team win as much as possible and do anything I could.”
Pensacola trailed 5-1 entering the sixth inning. The M-Braves had built their lead against starter Evan Fitterer, who yielded nine hits and four earned runs in five innings.
The mood was glum.
And then more Mullet Magic happened.
This comeback win when taking on the team’s alternate identity on Thursdays as the Pensacola Mullets pushed the team’s record to 9-2 when wearing the Mullet uniforms. It’s the difference in the Blue Wahoos having a winning record at home, now 32-28.
The latest one kept the Blue Wahoos (64-57 overall, 26-27 in second half) continuing a push in the three-team battle for the second-half playoff spot in the Southern League’s South Division. They’re now 3.0 games behind Biloxi, who lost to Montgomery, with 15 games to play.
“This win is big and finishing this week and the upcoming week… these games are very important and we’ve got to do our best to put ourselves in a spot to succeed,” Mack said.
Nathan Martorella led off the sixth inning with a power shot over the right-center wall to cut the score to 5-2. Graham Pauley singled and Jared Serna walked with none out to set the table for Mack.
After his homer, Johnny Olmstead hit a two-out single to keep the inning alive. Cody Morissette followed with a run-scoring double.
The Blue Wahoos then tacked on two more runs in the seventh on Serna’s RBI double and a bases-loaded walk to Olmstead.
“I am really proud of these guys for not giving in during these games and just going with their best,” Mack said. “We did a great job hanging in there, locking in and getting the job done,” he said.
The M-Braves got a run back in the eighth inning, then had the tying run on second base when Blue Wahoos reliever Woo-Suk Go got a ground out against Geraldo Quintero to end the game.
It was Go’s second solid appearance this week and continued his own comeback. He lost a three-run lead and the game in a previous homestand against Montgomery, but has found success in the last two weeks.
“Woo is a great pitcher and he just needed to find some things that would give him a little cue here or there,” said Mack, who was behind the plate when the game ended. “He’s got really, really good stuff and we got with him and started working with him more and more and developed a plan for him that we use to help him do his absolute best.”
Blue Wahoos reliever Adam Laskey, who followed Fitterer, picked up the win with two scoreless innings. Tyler Eckberg got his first hold.
The series continues Friday with the Blue Wahoos sending righthander Jacob Miller on the mound against the M-Braves’ Ian Mejia.
College Football Week 1: Here’s How To Watch All The Games
August 29, 2024
Here is this week’s college football schedule and where to watch the games.
All times are Central.
Week 1
Thursday, Aug. 29
Howard at Rutgers | 5 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Youngstown State at Villanova | 5 p.m. | FloSports
Central State (Ohio) at Morehead State | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Reinhardt at Carson-Newman | 5 p.m. | FloSports
Minnesota Duluth at Northern Michigan | 5 p.m. | FloSports
North Carolina A&T at Wake Forest | 6 p.m. | ESPN+/ACCNX
New Hampshire at UCF | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Western Carolina at No. 24 NC State | 6 p.m. | ACC Network
Jackson State at UL Monroe | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Lafayette at Buffalo | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Fordham at Bowling Green | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Central Connecticut at Central Michigan | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Bryant at Delaware | 6 p.m. | FloSports
VMI at William & Mary | 6 p.m. | FloSports
Presbyterian at Mercer | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Wofford at Gardner-Webb | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Delta State at Mars Hill | 6 p.m. | FloSports
West Texas A&M at Sul Ross State | 6 p.m. | FloSports
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Arkansas | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
Duquesne at Toledo | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Quincy at Drake | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
North Carolina at Minnesota | 7 p.m. | FOX
Murray State at No. 11 Missouri | 7 p.m. | SEC Network
North Dakota State at Colorado | 7 p.m. | ESPN
No. 22 Kansas vs. Lindenwood (in Kansas City, Kansas) | 7 p.m. | Big 12/ESPN+
Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville State | 7 p.m. | CBSSN
Alcorn State at UAB | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
SE Louisiana at Tulane | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Northwestern State at Tulsa | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Northern State at South Dakota | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
North American University at Stephen F. Austin | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Colorado Mesa at Texas A&M-Kingsville | 7 p.m. | LSC Digital Network
Missouri Southern State at Midwestern State | 7 p.m. | FloSports/LSC Digital Network
Southern Utah at No. 12 Utah | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Eastern Illinois at Illinois | 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Monmouth at Eastern Washington | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Sacramento State at San Jose State | 9 p.m. | truTV
Friday, Aug. 30
Lehigh at Army | 5 p.m. | CBSSN
Temple at No. 16 Oklahoma | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Florida Atlantic at Michigan State | 6 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Colgate at Maine | 6 p.m. | FloSports
Elon at Duke | 7 p.m. | ACC Network
Western Michigan at Wisconsin | 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network
TCU at Stanford | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
Saturday, Aug. 31
No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia (in Atlanta, Georgia) | 11 a.m. | ABC
Virginia Tech vs. Vanderbilt (in Nashville, Tennessee) | 11 a.m. | ESPN
Illinois State at No. 25 Iowa | 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network
Austin Peay at Louisville | 11 a.m. | ACC Network
Indiana State at Purdue | 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network
Kent State at Pitt | 11 a.m. | ESPNU
Bucknell at Navy | 11 a.m. | CBSSN
UConn at Maryland | 11 a.m. | FS1
No. 8 Penn State at West Virginia | 11 a.m. | FOX
Davidson at Georgetown | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Chattanooga at No. 15 Tennessee | 12:45 p.m. | SEC Network
Upper Iowa at Butler | 12 p.m. | FloSports
Glenville State at Emory & Henry College | 12 p.m. | FloSports
South Dakota State at No. 17 Oklahoma State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Towson at Cincinnati | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Portland State at Washington State | 2 p.m. | CW Network
Edward Waters at Morehouse College | 2 p.m. | ESPN+
No. 19 Miami (Fla.) at Florida | 2:30 p.m. | ABC
Colorado State at No. 4 Texas | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
Eastern Michigan at UMass | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Florida International at Indiana | 2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
East Tennessee State at Appalachian State | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
North Dakota at Iowa State | 2:30 p.m. | FS1
Ohio at Syracuse | 2:30 p.m. | ACC Network
Kennesaw State at UTSA | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Merrimack at Air Force | 2:30 p.m. | CBSSN
UTEP at Nebraska | 2:30 p.m. | FOX
Western Illinois at Northern Illinois | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Akron at No. 2 Ohio State | 2:30 p.m. | CBS
Miami (Ohio) at Northwestern | 2:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Boise State at Georgia Southern | 3 p.m. | ESPNU
Lincoln (CA) at Northern Arizona | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Old Dominion at South Carolina | 3:15 p.m. | SEC Network
Stony Brook at Marshall | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
UC Davis at Cal | 4 p.m. | ESPN+/ACCNX
North Texas at South Alabama | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Valparaiso at UNI | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State | 5 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
Campbell at Liberty | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Richmond at Virginia | 5 p.m. | ESPN+/ACCNX
Norfolk State at East Carolina | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Samford at West Georgia | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
South Carolina State at Florida A&M | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Delaware State at Sacred Heart | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Mississippi Valley State at Tennessee State | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
The Citadel at Charleston Southern | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Ave Maria University at Stetson | 5 p.m. | ESPN+
Idaho State at Oregon State | 5:30 p.m. | CW Network
Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama | 6 p.m. | ESPN
Furman at No. 6 Ole Miss | 6 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
Central Arkansas at Arkansas State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Bethune-Cookman at South Florida | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Tarleton State at Baylor | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
UNLV at Houston | 6 p.m. | FS1
UT Martin at No. 18 Kansas State | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Tennessee Tech at Middle Tennessee | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Sam Houston at Rice | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Nevada at Troy | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
North Alabama at Memphis | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Holy Cross at Rhode Island | 6 p.m. | FloSports
Northern Colorado at UIW | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M | 6 p.m. | ESPN+
Western New Mexico at UT Permian Basin | 6 p.m. | FloSports
Alabama A&M at Auburn | 7 p.m. | ESPN+/SECN+
No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M | 7 p.m. | ABC
Fresno State at No. 9 Michigan | 7 p.m. | NBC
Idaho at No. 3 Oregon | 7 p.m. | Big Ten Network
UCLA at Hawai’i | 7 p.m. | CBS
Abilene Christian at Texas Tech | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Southern Miss at Kentucky | 6:45 p.m. | SEC Network
Southern Illinois at BYU | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Georgia State at Georgia Tech | 7 p.m. | ACC Network
Houston Christian at SMU | 7 p.m. | ESPN+/ACCNX
Grambling at Louisiana | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Nicholls at Louisiana Tech | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
James Madison at Charlotte | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
Lamar at Texas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Texas A&M-Commerce at San Diego State | 7 p.m. | truTV
Southern at McNeese | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Southeast Missouri State at New Mexico State | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
Missouri State at Montana | 8 p.m. | ESPN+
New Mexico at No. 21 Arizona | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
Montana State at Utah Tech | 9 p.m. | ESPN+
Wyoming at Arizona State | 9:30 p.m. | FS1
Weber State at Washington | 10 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Sunday, September 1
North Carolina Central vs. Alabama State (in Miami Gardens, Fla.) | 2 p.m. | ESPN
Benedict College vs. Virginia State (in Canton, Ohio) | 3 p.m. | NFL Network
Tuskegee vs. Johnson C Smith (in Montgomery, Alabama) | 6 p.m. | ESPNU
No. 23 USC vs. No. 13 LSU (in Las Vegas, Nevada) | 6:30 p.m. | ABC
Monday, September 2
Boston College at No. 10 Florida State | 6:30 p.m. | ESPN
M-Braves Take 2-1 Win Over Blue Wahoos
August 29, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Led by Luis Palacios, who produced his best start in a month, the Blue Wahoos wove together another strong performance on Wednesday from their pitching staff.
But this time, scoring one run wasn’t enough.
The Mississippi Braves produced two fifth-inning runs on four singles, all after two outs, then made that stand for a 2-1 victory against the Blue Wahoos to even the series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Palacios followed Tuesday’s masterful outing by Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde with a strong one of his own. In six innings pitched, he didn’t allow a walk and faced just one batter above the minimum in the first four innings. The fifth inning was heading that same direction until four consecutive M-Braves batters produced two-out singles.
That became the difference in a game that had 15 hits, but only two of those for extra bases. Palacios (8-7) had given up a combined 22 hits and 16 runs in three prior August starts, which had raised his earned run average to 4.81 coming into Wednesday’s game.
He found a good rhythm Tuesday and had the Blue Wahoos in good position to take a lead.
That appeared to be the path in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jared Serna led off with a single and Nathan Martorella and Graham Pauley both followed with singles that scored the Blue Wahoos’ lone run.
But with runners on the corners with one out, M-Braves reliever Rolddy Muñoz struck out Joe Mack and Andrew Pintar to end the inning in a game-decisive sequence.
The Blue Wahoos didn’t get two runners on base the rest of the game. Three M-Braves relievers followed with shutout innings, including former Pensacola State College star Patrick Halligan, who earned his sixth hold by pitching a hitless eighth inning.
Serna finished 2-for-4 as the Blue Wahoos’ lone multi-hit batter in their lineup. In the ninth, M-Braves closer Elison Joseph made quick work of three batters to end the game.
The third game of the series will be Thursday at 6:05 p.m. with the Blue Wahoos’ Evan Fitterer (6-5, 4.06) going against M-Braves converted knuckleball pitcher David Fletcher (3-5, 5.85), who was formerly a Los Angeles Angels starting infielder.
Fletcher is trying to make a career comeback and become a two-way player like his former teammate, Shohei Ohtani.
The Wahoos will take on the Mississippi Graves at 6:05 p.m.Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Flomaton Sweeps Northview In Straight Sets (With Gallery)
August 28, 2024
The Flomaton Hurricanes dominated the Northview Chiefs in a volleyball match on Tuesday night, winning in three straight sets.
The final scores were 25-17, 25-20, and 25-21.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Flomaton victory comes on the heels of a 2-0 loss to Faith Academy on Monday. Northview, meanwhile, had defeated Pine Forest 3-1 Monday night.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Monteverde Magnificent As Blue Wahoos Win With One Hit Against M-Braves
August 28, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos ended their season-high losing streak in a special way.
They received an unparalleled outing Tuesday night from starting pitcher Patrick Monteverde, then a shutdown performance by relievers Woo-Suk Go and Dale Stanavich to get a 1-0 victory against the Mississippi Braves, thus beginning their week-long homestand with a new mark in franchise history.
In ending their six-game slide, it became the first time the Blue Wahoos won a game despite getting just one hit. All 11 previous times they were one-hit in club history resulted in losses.
Monteverde, 26, a lefthander who helped the Blue Wahoos win their 2022 Southern League championship and was stellar last season, which led to being elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville this season, reproduced his dominant form.
He allowed just two hits in seven innings, no walks and 10 strikeouts. Monteverde didn’t hesitate when asked if this was his best performance of 2024.
“Yeah… finally,” he said, smiling. “It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster this year, but it’s always good to get another shutout under your belt, more more importantly help the team get back in the win column.”
When he exited, Woo-Suk Go and Stanavich followed in the eighth and ninth by not allowing a baserunner. It was the Blue Wahoos’ best overall pitching sequence of the season, holding the M-Braves to just two hits, no walks and racking up 12 strikeouts.
And it happened in a pivotal time as the Blue Wahoos (63-56 overall, 25-26 in second half) hope to stay in playoff contention. They had lost 11 of their past 13 games before Tuesday’s win.
“This series, coming off last week (against Tennessee Smokies), obviously we got swept and to be honest with you, we didn’t think we were out-teamed, if that makes sense,” Monteverde said. “We knew we have a good club here and we know what we’re capable of.
“So going into this week, I made it clear…not that I needed to, everybody in the clubhouse knows, this was a big week coming up. These guys (M-Braves) past us in the standings and we need to get back on the right track and win a series at our place.”
Neither team had a hit through the first four innings Tuesday. M-Braves starter Jhancarlos Lara had yielded five walks in that stretch, including two to begin the second inning, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t take advantage.
The game’s first hit was a one-out single in the fifth inning by the M-Braves Adam Zabrowski – the first to reach base after Monteverde retired the first 13 batters he faced in order.
Monteverde then struck out the next two hitters and the Blue Wahoos manufactured a run in their half of the fifth inning.
Johnny Olmstead and Jakob Marsee had back-to-back walks with one out. On a double-steal attempt, Olmstead was throw out at third. But shortstop Jared Serna came through with a two out single after Olmstead got M-Braves shortstop Cal Conley to move out of position with aggressive baserunning.
From that point, the only M-Braves baserunner was thrown out on a steal attempt in the sixth inning. The rest of the way, the pitching was exceptional.
When it ended, Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack hugged Stanavich, then Mack gathered a water cooler bucket with Stanavich to dump on Monteverde while he was doing an on-field postgame interview.
“This clubhouse is great,” Monteverde said. “I look forward to coming to the ballpark every day. Nobody is pressing. We know we still have some time and can get rolling at any time.
“Sometimes, a game like this is when the offense (comes around). This wasn’t their best day, but they produced when they had to with timely hitting and (Tuesday) was one of those. Thankfully that was all it took. But the overall vibe and clubhouse atmosphere is great.”
This series brings some sentimentality. It is the final time the Blue Wahoos will play the Mississippi Braves in club history.
The M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Ga. in 2025 where they will play in remodeled stadium, Synovus Park (formerly Golden Park), located on the Chattahoochee River that separates the state line in Georgia-Alabama. A $50 million renovation is ongoing at the 98-year-old ballpark and the facility is on schedule to be ready for April 2025 when next season begins.
When the move happens, the Atlanta Braves will have all four of their top affiliates within the state of Georgia and all within a 2-hour plus drive of Atlanta with Gwinnett (Triple-A), Columbus, Rome, Ga. (High-A) and Augusta (Class A).
The second game of the series is set for Wednesday (6:05 p.m.) with the Blue Wahoos sending lefthander Luis Palacios on the mound against the M-Braves top pitcher Landon Harper (2-1, 1.46 ERA).