Wahoos Beat M-Braves 7-3
August 7, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos picked up right where they left off on Tuesday night, following last week’s offensive outburst in Chattanooga with a 7-3 win over the Mississippi Braves in the opener of a six-game series.
Braves knuckleballer David Fletcher (L, 1-4) wasn’t fooling anyone in his fourth start against the Blue Wahoos in the span of two months. The converted position player surrendered 14 hits and six runs over 5.0 innings while striking out only one batter.
14 of Pensacola’s 16 hits on the night were singles. One notable exception was Jacob Berry’s two-run homer in the second inning, giving the Blue Wahoos a quick 3-0 lead.
Additional RBI singles from Graham Pauley, Cody Morissette and Joe Mack helped provide cushion for Patrick Monteverde (W, 2-2), who allowed three runs, two earned, over 5.1 innings while striking out eight batters.
Mississippi’s only damage came in the second, as an infield error opened the door for an RBI double from Keshawn Ogans and two-run single from Bryson Horne. Monteverde ran into more trouble in the sixth, but Adam Laskey stranded two runners and contributed 2.2 scoreless innings of relief before Matt Pushard shut the door in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos kept pace behind the first-place Biloxi Shuckers, who won 6-3 in Montgomery to maintain a 3.0-game lead in the South Division with 35 games remaining in the regular season.
The series in Mississippi continues on Wednesday. First pitch from Trustmark Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT
NWE Football Needs More Players Ages 5 Or 6; Registration Is Free
August 6, 2024
NWE Football in Walnut Hill needs a few more football players ages 5 or 6.
NWE is offering free registration for the five who want to play.
For more information, contact NWE Football on Facebook.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Sweep Sunday Pair At Chattanooga
August 5, 2024
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (56-44) finished off a rain-marred week in Chattanooga versus the Lookouts (31-69) with a pair of wins on Sunday to close out an abbreviated five-game series.
In the day’s first game, the Wahoos completed a victory in a game that began Friday, continued Saturday, and concluded on Sunday. The action picked up with two outs in the top of the fifth and the Wahoos leading 6-4. Three combined fifth-inning RBIs from center fielder Andrew Pintar and first baseman Nathan Martorella (collected before Saturday’s weather postponement) proved to be the difference in the game. On Sunday, neither team scored throughout the game’s remaining innings. Pensacola lefthander Justin King (W, 2-0) pitched the fifth and sixth en route to a winning decision, while lefthander Dale Stanavich (SV, 1) finished out the ninth for his first professional Double-A save in a 6-4 Wahoos win.
Game 2 proved to be similarly hard-fought. New Pensacola lefthander Robby Snelling took the mound for his Blue Wahoos debut following his recent arrival via trade and impressed (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 7 K), but ultimately took a no-decision. The Wahoos broke through in the second inning on a solo home run from designated hitter Nathan Martorella, but the Lookouts tied the game 1-1 in the third on an RBI infield single from designated hitter Francisco Urbaez that deflected off of Snelling.
The game stayed tied 1-1 into the sixth when Pensacola jumped back ahead. With the bases loaded and two outs, left fielder Jakob Marsee hit a check-swing ground ball that snuck into left field for a base hit, scoring center fielder Andrew Pintar and Martorella. In the bottom of the sixth, the Lookouts struck back against Wahoos lefthander Chandler Jozwiak, who allowed a two-run, game-tying home run to Chattanooga third baseman Nick Northcut.
Neither team scored in the seventh, sending the game to extra innings. In the top of the eighth and two outs, Pensacola shortstop Jared Serna stood in against Lookouts righthander Patrick Weigel (L, 0-1) with a runner at second and capped an extraordinary first week in Double-A (10-for-21, .476 AVG, five doubles, eight RBIs) with an RBI go-ahead double that put the Wahoos ahead 4-3. In the bottom of the eighth, righthander Tyler Eckberg (SV, 1) closed out the game and series without issue, notching his first career Double-A save. Recently-promoted Pensacola righthander Nigel Belgrave (W, 1-0) earned the victory after a scoreless seventh inning. The win gave the Wahoos four victories in five games over Chattanooga on the week.
The Wahoos continue their two-week road trip when they travel to Pearl, Mississippi to begin a six-game set against the Mississippi Braves. First pitch on Tuesday, August 6 from Trustmark Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT.
Wahoos Game Suspended Again by More Chattanooga Rain
August 4, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
Saturday’s plans to finish two games between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Chattanooga Lookouts were foiled by rain once again, as Friday’s suspended game was halted after just four at-bats.
After rain and wet grounds forced Friday’s contest to be suspended with the Blue Wahoos trailing 4-2 in the top of the fifth, the game resumed Saturday afternoon under cloudy skies. In the span of four batters, the Blue Wahoos collected RBI singles from Andrew Pintar and Nathan Martorella to claim a 6-4 lead before rain began once more.
The game, not yet official, will be picked up again on Sunday afternoon at 12:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. CT. A seven-inning contest will follow to conclude the series. As the Blue Wahoos and Lookouts have no more meetings in the 2024 season, one game in the weeklong set will be canceled.
Blue Wahoos, Lookouts Suspended By Rain In Chattanooga
August 3, 2024
Friday’s game between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Chattanooga Lookouts was suspended due to rain in the top of the fifth inning, with the Lookouts leading 4-2 and the Blue Wahoos at the plate.
In a battle of two young arms, Pensacola righty Jacob Miller was greeted rudely in the first inning of his Double-A debut with a two-run homer from Southern League home run leader Nick Northcut.
The Blue Wahoos answered back in the second against Chattanooga’s Chase Petty, stringing together four hits and tying the game 2-2 on an RBI single from Nathan Martorella followed by an RBI double from Cody Morissette.
The Lookouts reclaimed a 4-2 lead in the third with RBI singles from Ruben Ibarra and Austin Callahan. Pensacola began to threaten in the top of the fifth, putting two runners aboard with one out for Joe Mack, before rain arrived just shy of the game becoming official.
The game will be completed on Saturday, August 3 at 5:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. CT, with the regularly scheduled game to follow no earlier than 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT.
Lowder Quiets Wahoos In 2-1 Loss To Lookouts
August 2, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
One night after hammering out 36 runs in a doubleheader sweep, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos were kept largely quiet by the Chattanooga Lookouts in a 2-1 loss on Thursday night.
Rhett Lowder (W, 3-4), the reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week, worked 6.0 innings of three-hit, one-run ball to earn the win for Chattanooga. Pensacola’s lone run came on a solo homer from Cody Morissette in the fifth inning.
The Lookouts jumped ahead against Pensacola starter Jeff Lindgren (L, 1-3) in the second inning as Nick Northcut hit his league-leading 21st home run of the season. They added another run in the fourth on an RBI single from Jack Rogers.
Pensacola threatened in the seventh, but both Shane Sasaki and Morissette were thrown out attempting to steal after reaching base against reliever Luis Mey. Patrick Weigel (S, 4) worked around a two-out walk to lock down the save in the ninth.
The series in Chattanooga continues on Friday. First pitch from AT&T Field is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT,
Wahoos Rout Lookouts In Historic Doubleheader Sweep
August 1, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept the Chattanooga Lookouts in convincing fashion on Wednesday night, winning game one of their doubleheader 16-7 and setting a team record with a 19-run margin of victory in a 20-1 nightcap.
Making up Tuesday’s rainout with a twin bill, the Blue Wahoos were invigorated by the arrival of new players in the aftermath of the MLB trade deadline. In game one, Jared Serna, acquired over the weekend from the Yankees in a trade that sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to New York, burst onto the scene with a 4-for-5, 3 RBI game in his Double-A debut. Jakob Marsee tied a Blue Wahoos single-game record with 6 RBI in the first game, hitting the team’s first grand slam of the season as the Wahoos scored 16 runs on 18 hits.
Luis Palacios (W, 8-5) allowed only two earned runs over 5.2 innings, earning his team-leading 8th win of the season and moving into a tie for second place in team history with his 18th career win. He outdueled Kevin Abel (L, 4-5), who allowed six runs in 4.0 innings before the Chattanooga bullpen let things get out of hand.
Joe Mack capped the 17-run outburst with his team-leading 17th home run of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh inning to highlight a 4-RBI game for the Pensacola catcher.
In game two, Tristan Stevens (W, 2-1) worked 5.0 innings of one-run ball to earn the win for the Blue Wahoos. Pensacola scored two runs in the first inning without a hit against Jose Acuña (L, 0-2), setting the tone for a wild night.
The Blue Wahoos added to their lead in the third as Andrew Pintar executed a double steal of home, just the eighth in team history, followed by a two-out, two-run single from Cody Morissette. An opposite-field two-run homer from Paul McIntosh in the fourth extended the Pensacola advantage to 7-1.
The seventh inning saw the Lookouts wave the white flag, ultimately sending in position player Francisco Urbaez to serve up 10 Pensacola runs on five hits, six walks and a hit batsman. Serna added a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk for a 4-RBI game, McIntosh drove in his fourth run of the night with a bases-loaded walk, and Jacob Berry put the finishing touches on an historic night with an RBI single.
The 19-run margin of victory marked the most lopsided win in team history, surpassing a 22-6 win in Birmingham in May of 2023.
The Blue Wahoos pulled into a tie for second place with the Mississippi Braves with the pair of wins. Both teams are 2.0 games behind the Biloxi Shuckers in the second half South Division race.
The series in Chattanooga continues on Thursday. First pitch from AT&T Field is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET/6:15 p.m. CT.
Blue Wahoos, Lookouts Postponed in Chattanooga
July 31, 2024
Tuesday’s game between with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at the Chattanooga Lookouts was postponed due to rain at AT&T Field.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday, July 31, with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 5:15 p.m. ET/4:15 p.m. CT.
Florida Average Gas Prices Decline Slightly After Drop In Oil Prices
July 29, 2024
Florida gas prices rose 11 cents early last week reaching $3.55 per gallon. The state average then reversed course, declining 7 cents during the past four days. On Sunday, the state average was $3.40 per gallon. That’s about 3 cents more than a week ago.
“Gas prices could move even lower, after a big drop in oil prices last week,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Recent fuel reports show China’s crude oil imports are declining. This has driven prices lower, on concerns that global fuel demand is softening.”
The average price per gallon in Escambia County was $3.11. Sunday night, a low of $2.89 was available at several Pensacola stations, including on Pine Forest Road, Kenmore Road and Mobile Highway. In North Escambia, Sunday night’s low price was $2.99 at stations on South Highway 29.
In early July, the U.S. price for crude traded at around $83 per barrel. Oil has since declined a total of 8% through the past three weeks. The biggest weekly drop occurred last week. Oil prices fell nearly $3 per barrel (4%). Friday’s closing price was $77.16 a barrel. Oil hasn’t traded this low since the first week of June. During that time, the average gas price in Florida was around $3.30 a gallon.
Blue Wahoos Drop Homestand Finale, Split Series With Shuckers
July 29, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos wrapped up their second longest stretch of home games, which featured some big crowds, breakthrough events and cooperative weather during the nine-game period.
On the field, however, the Blue Wahoos wished for a few more wins.
After taking three of the first four games against the Biloxi Shuckers, the weekend and homestand ended in a glum way in a 6-1 loss Sunday before 3,987 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It earned the Shuckers (47-47 overall, 17-10 in second half) a split in the series, following their 8-4 win Saturday night. Sunday’s win also enabled Biloxi to split the second half matchups (6-6) against the Blue Wahoos (52-43, 14-13) – a tiebreaker the Blue Wahoos missed claiming if the teams tie in a second-half divisional race.
When the Blue Wahoos next return home, it will be mid-August, following a back-to-back set of road trips beginning on Tuesday against the Chattanooga Lookouts, followed by the last-ever trip to Trustmark Park to play the Mississippi Braves. The M-Braves are moving to Columbus, Georgia following this season.
In going 3-6 at home the past two weeks, a familiar theme emerged. The Blue Wahoos lacked big innings and extra-base hits with runners on base.
Sunday, the Blue Wahoos left 11 runners on base and produced just five hits.
Patrick Monteverde delivered a quality start, working six innings and allowing just two earned runs with four strikeouts. He absorbed a hard-luck loss.
Meanwhile, the Shuckers’ Jacob Misiorowski, the Milwaukee Brewers No. 2 rated prospect whose status is rising, made his second start of the week, checking the Blue Wahoos on just one hit with three strikeouts, three walks in 3.2 innings.
The Shuckers took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a bloop single and a wild pitch.
The Blue Wahoos missed a big chance in the fifth inning when loading the bases with one out. Shuckers reliever Will Childers then got Joe Mack to hit a slow roller back toward the mound for an easy force-out at the plate, and Jacob Berry popped out to end the inning.
Paul McIntosh drove home the Blue Wahoos’ lone run in the seventh with his two-out single that scored Jakob Marsee, who had reached on a walk.
The Shuckers broke open the game with a 4-run rally in the ninth, taking advantage of a fielding error and walk to string together hits against Blue Wahoos reliever Woo Suk-Go, who has struggled since joining the team.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos vs. Chattanooga Lookouts
WHEN: Tuesday Thru Sunday (Aug. 4)
WHERE: AT&T Field, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
FOLLOWING WEEK: The Blue Wahoos will then travel to face the Mississippi Braves in Pearl, Miss. from Aug. 6-Aug. 11.