Tate High Graduate Landen George Signs Golf Scholarship With Coastal Alabama
July 12, 2023
Tuesday, Tate High School 2023 graduate Landen George signed a full ride scholarship with Coastal Alabama Community College to further his golf and academic career. He was joined by his family, friends, staff members and future coaches. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Johnston, Conine Lead Slugging Wahoos To 10-8 Win
July 10, 2023
Troy Johnston had just hit two home runs, helped tie the franchise team record with five in a game and provided the deciding runs Sunday in the Blue Wahoos 10-8 win against the Biloxi Shuckers.
So Troy, what are you going to do next?
“I’ve been always wanting to say this in an interview… I’m going to Disney World!”
Yes, he is.
Moments after the Blue Wahoos’ slugfest victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which sent the team into a four-day break with good vibes, Johnston, his wife, Haleigh, and his parents had their car packed for the all-night trip to Orlando and the Magic Kingdom.
“Me and wife had said we’re going to go…it didn’t matter what,” said Johnston, explaining the advance plans once they saw the season schedule. “My parents said they wanted to come visit us this week, then wanted to tag along. So we are all going and we’re going to have a great time.”
The good times rolled at the plate Sunday for Johnston and teammates. He went 2-for-3, drove in three runs, scored three runs, walked once and raised his batting average to .277. He also made several big defensive plays on throws and scorched grounders on another day when hitters ruled at the ballpark.
After Saturday’s 10-9 loss to the Shuckers, the Blue Wahoos fell behind 5-0 in the third inning, then 6-2 in the fifth inning. It had the crowd of 4,111 wondering when Pensacola’s fortunes would turn at home.
“I honestly believe, whether we are down 5-0 or 10-0, I feel like we always have a chance to win,” said Johnston, 26, a Tacoma, Washington native and the No. 27 rated prospect in the Miami Marlins minor league system. “That’s what makes this team special. We don’t give up. We have confidence we can do it at the plate and we’re capable of coming back.”
Sure enough, it happened in the bottom of the fifth when the Blue Wahoos batted around. After Dalvy Rosario led off by getting hit by a pitch, then stole second, Victor Mesa Jr. drove him home with a single. Johnston then walked. Will Banfield reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Up stepped Griffin Conine. He had singled earlier and had some other good at-bats Friday. But he had not homered all week.
Until now. Conine blasted a pitch that just had enough umph to carry over the leaping attempt by Shuckers centerfielder Lamar Sparks for a go-ahead grand slam and 7-6 lead.
It was the first grand slam for Conine in his three seasons with the Blue Wahoos – the fourth hit by a Pensacola player this season.
With the stadium still abuzz, Cody Morissette followed with a solo homer and 8-6 lead.
The Shuckers got a run back in the sixth. Johnston came up in the bottom half of the sixth inning with two outs and Cobie Fletcher-Vance on first base. He blasted a no-doubter over the right center berm for his second homer, which tied the franchise record for most in a single game.
As he rounded the bases he pointed in direction of his wife, then his parents visiting from the Pacific Coast, for another special moment in the game.
“My mom and my dad, you can actually hear them sometimes from the stands,” Johnston said, smiling. “They are the only people I can hear and I try to give them (acknowledgment). They have given me everything. And the only I can do to give back is give them a little support.”
The Shuckers got a run back in the seventh, but the Blue Wahoos bullpen held on, albeit with some drama. After a smooth eighth inning, closer Matt Pushard, who recently joined the team from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Marlins’ High-A affiliate, got the first two batters in the ninth to ground out.
But then he gave up a single, then hit the next batter and had a 3-0 count on Sparks. The next pitch Sparks jumped on, but hit a fly ball that Mesa Jr. caught for the final out.
The Shuckers had built the big, early lead against starter Evan Fitterer, who struggled again in his second start this week. He made it through five innings, allowing seven hits and six runs, including a three-run homer by catcher Nick Kahle, who helped power the Shuckers to Saturday’s win.
The teams combined for 22 hits – 11 apiece – and 16 of the 18 starters in the teams’ lineups reached base.
The Blue Wahoos’ other homer Sunday was the team’s first run, a solo shot by Fletcher-Vance.
With the win, the Blue Wahoos split the six-game series against Biloxi and evened their second-half record to 6-6, 47-33 overall.
It was a much-welcomed way to head into the Major League Baseball All-Star Game break, which now includes the minor leagues.
The Blue Wahoos will resume their schedule on July 14 on the road against the Birmingham Barons for a three-game series.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Wahoos Fall Short To Shuckers In Saturday Slugfest
July 9, 2023
There haven’t been many Fireworks Saturdays at Blue Wahoos Stadium that resembled the latest one.
Except for the Blue Wahoos just missing on producing a grand finale.
In a game that featured 19 runs, 26 hits, 13 walks, 385 pitches and took 3 hours, 29 minutes to complete, the Biloxi Shuckers held on in the ninth inning for a 10-9 victory, which temporarily silenced a sellout crowd of 5,038 at the bayfront ballpark.
Until the actual fireworks, of course.
But the Blue Wahoos’ Norel González nearly created his own flare, launching a pitch to the base of the left field wall in the ninth inning after Griffin Conine reached on a walk. With two out, Dalvy Rosario singled to continue home team hopes.
Shuckers reliever Cam Robinson recorded his fifth save by striking out Cobie Fletcher-Vance to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos were a ground ball away from entering their at-bat with a tied game. Fletcher-Vance’s two-out throw on a slow chopper sailed wide, enabling Biloxi’s Carlos Rodriguez to reach and advance to second base.
The next batter, catcher Nick Kahle, jumped on the first pitch from Jefry Yan and sent it into right field for a run-scoring double. It became a hard-luck loss for Yan, who struck out three batters in two innings pitched.
Hours earlier, the game began as a batters’ fest.
There were 17 runs scored between the teams in the first three and a half innings, before pitching took over.
The game’s halfway point resembled baseball pinball with 16 hits between the teams and batters reaching and scoring in every half inning.
The Shuckers had already clubbed four home runs, including two bombs by Isaac Collins, their leadoff batter, who had hit just one homer this season.
In the first three innings, the Blue Wahoos answered each Biloxi lead. After Collins led off the game with a home run, Troy Johnston doubled home Jose Devers after his leadoff walk. Johnston then scored on a fielder’s choice and Victor Mesa Jr. advanced on an error, then scored on a wild pitch.
This was one of those nights which, fortunately for the Blue Wahoos, haven’t been frequent with their pitching staff.
Starter Jonathan Bermudez had his roughest outing this season. The lefthander was unable to get his fastball in desired locations and the Shuckers took full advantage.
They blasted seven extra-base hits off him, including the four home runs. He yielded nine runs on nine hits, along with three walks and a balk.
The Blue Wahoos had a four-run third inning that included a two-run homer by Mesa Jr. and a run scoring double by González.
Rosario finished 3-for-5 to lead Pensacola hitters. Troy Johnston was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and and RBI.
But it still became an uplifting night.
The Blue Wahoos’ Nasim Nuñez was the MVP of the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Seattle, leading the National League stars to a 5-0 win with his 3-run double. Pitcher Patrick Monteverde pitched the final inning, getting a game-ending double play.
In the Blue Wahoos game, the team hosted a “Home Run For Life” with 13-year-old Coady Lee circling the bases to celebrate his fight against leukemia. As he rounded the bases, both teams lined the two foul lines and Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero provided the final, classy touch as he tapped Coady before touching home plate.
The Blue Wahoos will try and gain a split of this week’s series in Sunday’s final game.
The Blue Wahoos’ Evan Fitterer (4-3, 4.34) will make a second start on the mound this week for the first time this season. The Shuckers will start James Meeker (4-3, 2.58) in the final game of the homestand and last one before a four-day break in the minor and major leagues that coincides with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday in Seattle.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Six-Run Fourth Lifts Blue Wahoos To 10-3 Win Over Shuckers
July 8, 2023
When the big inning ended, its production complete, Troy Johnston and his Blue Wahoos teammate Norel González exchanged a celebratory fist bump near first base.
It was only the fourth inning, but a statement was made.
On a Friday night when the team wore its Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok uniforms for the third recognition of a season initiative in Minor League Baseball, this one was filled with line-drive ropes and a couple home run pokes in the Blue Wahoos’ 10-3 victory against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Both Johnston and Gonzalez homered in the game. Those blasts were separate from a six-run, fourth inning that changed a 3-2 deficit into a five-run lead.
From that point, Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios and three relievers – Eli Villalobos, Cristian Charle, and West Tunnell – spun scoreless innings the rest of the way. Palacios worked on a cliff’s edge, but got out of bases-loaded jam in the third inning after allowing two runs, then overcame two baserunners in the fourth inning. He finished five innings to earn the win.
Eight from Pensacola’s batting lineup scored runs. Five players had multiple hits. Johnston went 1-for-3 with 2 RBI and walked twice. Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a booming homer over the right-center berm.
José Devers had a pair of hits, a pair of RBI and several notable defensive plays at shortstop. He was playing that spot Friday with Nasim Nuñez and pitcher Patrick Monteverde in Seattle for Saturday’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
First baseman Bennett Hostetler, catcher Will Banfield and center fielder Dalvy Rosario each collected two hits.
The fourth inning decided the game. Banfield led off with a single. With one out, the next seven Pensacola hitters reached base. Cobie Fletcher-Vance had one of the biggest hits with a 2-run double, and scored on Devers’ two-run single.
It was the Blue Wahoos’ first win in the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok uniforms, which is part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion initiative to honor Latin American heritage in the game. Pok-ta-Pok was the first Mesoamerican ball game, played thousands of years ago.
The Blue Wahoos will now try to gain a series edge in Saturday’s fifth game of the homestand against the Shuckers.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Johnson’s Strong Start Spoiled In Wahoos 10-4 Defeat
July 7, 2023
The Blue Wahoos had a prime, third-inning opportunity for more runs and a padded lead.
They came up empty.
It became a prelude to a game-ending feeling as well, after the Biloxi Shuckers exploded against Pensacola’s bullpen for a 10-4 win Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Shuckers flipped a 4-2 deficit with a four-run, eighth inning, then tacked on three more runs in the ninth for the blowout win.
All this followed a start that went well for the home team on Mullet Thursday. The players wore new Pensacola Mullets uniforms with a blue-pink design, as part of a second-half changeup for the routine identity change on Thursday games.
The Mullets quickly jumped to a 2-0 lead. Nasim Nuñez led off the bottom of the first inning with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Troy Johnston and scored when Cody Morissette’s grounder became a run-scoring throwing error on Shuckers starter Tobias Myers.
Will Banfield’s double then drove in Morissette. Pensacola expanded its lead to 3-0 after Johnson’s RBI single in the second inning. In the third, Banfield reached on a wild pitch on a third-strike swing, then advanced to third on José Devers’ double with none out.
But Myers struck out Griffin Conine and Jose Mesa Jr. and got Norel González out on a flyout.
That missed chance was part of six runners left in scoring position in the first seven innings.
Pensacola starter M.D. Johnson had a strong outing, working into the sixth inning, allowing just two runs and three hits. From there, however, three relievers combined to yield eight runs. It started when first reliever Josan Méndez was tagged for a leadoff homer in the seventh from Zavier Warren.
Matt Pushard, who had not allowed a hit or a run in two previous appearances since being elevated to Double-A, had a rough night.
He gave up a leadoff homer in the eighth to the Shuckers’ outfielder Jackson Chourio, the No. 3 rated player in Minor League Baseball, then a single, walk and two-run double by Freddy Zamora that gave the Shuckers their first lead. A run-scoring sacrifice fly provided a three-run lead.
The Shuckers added three more against Brady Puckett in the ninth to take a 2-1 lead in the series.
The series continues on Friday through Sunday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Eder Leads Wahoos To 3-1 Victory Over Shuckers
July 6, 2023
Jake Eder’s first start in Pensacola since 2021 resembled so many of the superlatives he produced in the past.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen followed the same lead, too.
Eder, who was one of the top pitching prospects in Minor League Baseball before two major injury setbacks, continued his progression with five scoreless innings, including a bases-loaded escape that became pivotal in the Biloxi Shuckers a 3-1 victory Wednesday.
“It’s good to be out here competing again,” said Eder, who had Tommy John elbow surgery in 2021, then suffered a foot injury in spring training in March when he was slated to join the Blue Wahoos roster on opening day. “I am getting better every start and I am going to keep getting better.
“It’s been almost 22 months since I made my first rehab start (in June) in Jupiter and to be able to go back out and feel the fans, feel the energy, get the adrenaline going and compete… I have been waiting a long time to do that.”
A large crowd (4,567) at Blue Wahoos Stadium saw Eder allow just one hit in five innings. He threw 85 pitches, 48 for strikes, and overcame five walks.
His outing was highlighted after allowing three consecutive walks to start the second inning. He then got a pair of flyouts framed around a strikeout to end the threat.
From that point, he was dominating, facing just one above the minimum batters in the last three innings.
“That is the mental game right there. Just stay relaxed and get more relaxed than I was,” he said. “I just threw one pitch at a time. That’s the mental side of getting through innings like that.”
The trio of relievers who followed were equally effective. Eli Villalobos pitched a scoreless sixth inning, then Zach McCambley followed with five strikeouts while allowing one run in his two innings.
In the ninth, closer Jefry Yan recorded his eighth save. After plunking a batter with two outs, the lefty coaxed a ground out to end the game.
Yan then stayed and signed autographs for all the kids who lined the tunnel entrance from the dugout.
The Blue Wahoos got a solo home run from Cody Morissette in the third inning. Morissette then drew a bases-loaded walk for another RBI in the eighth inning.
Catcher Will Banfield reached on a twin error in the sixth inning and scored on a José Devers RBI single.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos relief corps was as strong as desired to seal the victory.
Eder, ranked the No. 4 prospect in the Miami Marlins system by MLB Pipeline, made his first appearance in Blue Wahoos Stadium since August 13, 2021 when he worked 3.2 innings against the Montgomery Biscuits. He allowed just one hit in the game.
It followed his appearance in mid-July that year in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
He was later placed on the injured list and it led to the Tommy John surgery.
“Been a long way back,” he said.
The series continues Thursday against the Shuckers with Mullet Thursday with Pensacola taking on their alternate identity as the Mullets and wearing their specialty jerseys
Pensacola will have M.D. Johnson (1-2, 5.23 ERA) on the mound against Biloxi’s Tobias Myers (4-3, 6.10 ERA).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Festive 4th For The Wahoos, But Hostetler’s Homer Not Enough
July 5, 2023
Specialty uniforms and a holiday-dressed, capacity crowd became the brightest sparkle for the Blue Wahoos on the Fourth of July.
The game itself went the other way.
In their first trip this season into Blue Wahoos Stadium, the Biloxi Shuckers jumped to a big, early-inning lead, then held off Pensacola’s comeback attempts for an 8-5 victory in Tuesday’s sun-splashed start to a six-game series between the Gulf Coast neighbors.
The Blue Wahoos were playing their first home game in 16 days and the first since winning the first half Southern League South Division. This was just the second time in the past 10 years the Blue Wahoos played at home on July 4.
The game time (4:05 p.m.) was designed to allow fans to exit and have an opportunity to take in the Pensacola Symphony concert at the amphitheater behind center field, as well as the annual downtown fireworks show that occurred on a waterfront setup across from Bayfront Parkway.
The Blue Wahoos wore specialty Independence Day designed jerseys, which were auctioned during the game to fans with proceeds donated to Folds of Honor. There was also a pie-eating contest at the end of the first inning.
The Blue Wahoos also honored a long-time usher, who is a decorated military veteran, as a new salute sponsored by Vannoy’s Tires during the grounds crew redressing the infield in the fifth inning.
By then, however, the Shuckers had gained control of the game.
Six of the runs came against Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer, who has been among the team’s most effective in the rotation this season.
On this day, however, Fitterer (4-3, 4.34 ERA) struggled with his fastball and the Shuckers took full advantage. Fitterer allowed a season-high six runs, all of them in the first three innings.
The Shuckers batted around in a five-run third inning that featured four singles and a double, all part of the Shuckers’ 11 hits. In both of the innings Fitterer allowed runs, the frame began with a four-pitch walk.
In the third, leadoff batter Lamar Sparks reached and scored on a fielding error. He then scored again on a bases-loaded walk. In between, Biloxi had five consecutive batters reach base. It led to an early exit for Fitterer, who worked four innings and gave up seven hits – his second-most this season.
The Blue Wahoos got a pair of runs in the sixth on Troy Johnston’s run-scoring double and Griffin Conine’s RBI single. Johnston had another big day at the plate, going 3-for-3 and reaching base all five times with a pair of walks to raise his batting average to .272.
Bennett Hostetler followed in the ninth with a three-run homer with one out. Johnston drew a two-out walk before José Devers flied out to end the game.
The loss evened the Blue Wahoos’ home record at 17-17 and continued the team’s misfortune at their ballpark. On the road, the Blue Wahoos are 27-14, which is how they became the first half Southern League South Division winners.
The second game of the week-long series against the Shuckers is Wednesday night with the Blue Wahoos’ Jake Eder pitching in his first game at Blue Wahoos Stadium since the 2021 season. Eder, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, who is rated the Marlins’ No. 4 overall prospect, dazzled two years ago with a 1.77 ERA with the Blue Wahoos and appearance in the 2021 Futures Game.
The lefthander then had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and started on the recovery road in 2022 when suffering a foot injury that sidelined him until recently. After pitching twice in the past two weeks on the road, Wednesday will be Eder’s much-anticipated return to Blue Wahoos Stadium.
by Bill Vilona, photos Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
North End Elite 8U Wins Stars, Stripes & Softball Tournament
July 4, 2023
The North End Elite 8U team took first place in the USFA Stars, Stripes & Softball tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bermudez, Blue Wahoos Blank Biscuits In Road Trip Finale
July 4, 2023
Three Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout in the finale of their two-week road trip on Monday night, beating the Montgomery Biscuits by a score of 9-0.
Jonathan Bermudez (W, 2-2) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts over 6.0 scoreless, two-hit innings before Matt Pushard and Josan Méndez finished the job with hitless relief. The Blue Wahoos earned a split of their series in Montgomery and finished their road trip with a 7-4 record.
After going hitless in their first four innings against Victor Muñoz (L, 6-5), the Blue Wahoos finally broke through in the fifth. Griffin Conine led off the inning with a solo homer, and Jan Mercado followed with an RBI single to put Pensacola ahead 2-0.
Troy Johnston added to his league-leading RBI total in the next two innings, hitting a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run single in the seventh. Johnston’s homer was his 15th of the season, tying him for the Southern League lead.
Cobie Fletcher-Vance added an RBI single in the eighth before Nasim Nuñez put the game on ice with a three-run double later in the inning.
The Blue Wahoos return home to Pensacola for a Fourth of July matinee on Tuesday.
written by Erik Bremer
Northwest Escambia 10U Chiefs Take Second In Cal Ripken State Series
July 3, 2023
The Northwest Escambia 10U Chiefs battled the best teams in the state and finished second Sunday in the Alabama State Championship in Florence, Alabama.
They will advance to the regionals July 14 in Mobile to battle the best times in the Cal Ripken southwest region.
In addition to taking second in the state, the NWE Chiefs also won the District 7 Cal Ripken all-star tournament and the Gulf Coast Recreation Classic all-star tournament.
Pictured: (bottom row, L-R) Hayden Hollingsworth, Brantley Sharpless, Hendrix Ward, Ridge Odom, (middle row, L-R) Caleb Madison, Hayden Batson, Jordan Ledkins, Parker Gilmore, Mason Wilson, Kayson Cooley, Walker Maughon, (top row, L-R) Coach Matt Gilmore, Coach Wesley Maughon, and Coach Mike Cooley. Not pictured: Dillan Stuart and Coach Jay Madison. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.