Berry Homers, But Wahoos Fall 4-3 in Packed Evening
August 19, 2023 - Southern League (SL)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
Pensacola Blue Wahoos' Jacob Berry at bat
(Pensacola Blue Wahoos)
Pensacola, Fla. - The Blue Wahoos wrapped an assortment of festive events around a game Saturday.
All that was missing was walk-off dramatics.
After taking an early-inning lead, the Montgomery Biscuits held on behind lefty reliever Antonio Jimenez and his dominating performance for a 4-3 victory to clinch the series against Pensacola at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos had nine hits and baserunners in seven innings, including two on in the ninth, but were unable to get a big hit. In the ninth, Norel González hit a one-out double and Cobie Fletcher-Vance reached on a two-out walk.
Newcomer Tanner Allen, a Mobile native, worked a 3-2 count, but couldn't connect on another slider from Jimenez for a game-ending strikeout. The sliders Jimenez threw in four innings of work were often swing-and-misses. He struck out five of the 14 batters he faced.
But the game shared a night with so many other happenings.
It began with Florida Power and Light hosting its Northwest Florida company outing at the ballpark. More than 1,100 tickets were purchased before the game. A tent party began at 4 p.m. in the waterfront area behind the children's park. The company provided free test drives of electric vehicles for fans wishing to do so.
In the second inning, the Blue Wahoos officially announced the inaugural First City Bowl prep football game on November 3. Head coaches from Booker T. Washington (Ryan Onkka) and Tate High (Rhett Summerford) participated in a 2-minute "signing ceremony" on the field to kick off the build-up.
It will be the first regular-season high school game ever played at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
While that was going on, many of her closest friends were helping charter season-ticket holder known as "Momma Wahoo" celebrate her 90th birthday.
After five innings, Max Spooneybarger, son of former Major League pitcher Tim Spooneybarger, a Pensacola resident, whose career included time with the Florida Marlins, celebrated his recovery from a horrific accident with a "Home Run For Life' provided by Ascension Sacred Heart. As a toddler, Max had his leg amputated after falling in a lawnmowing accident. He is now able to play sports on a prosthetic leg.
Post-game fireworks, provided by Pepsi, followed the game.
As for the game, Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer overcame a tough start. He gave up four runs, but only one was earned. The fielding mistakes continued Saturday and they were decisive.
A fielding error by Dalvy Rosario, playing third base Saturday, resulted in one run, then Mason Auer followed with a 2-run homer.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back on Jacob Berry's solo blast in the first. They loaded the bases with none out in the third - a pivotal moment - when Berry grounded into a double play, scoring a second run. Rosario's RBI single in the fifth inning trimmed the deficit to one run, but that was it for scoring.
Florida Power and Light had corporate executives fly in Saturday from the company's main headquarters at Juno Beach, located north of West Palm Beach.
The private outing included a massive pregame tent party with music and food near the playground behind right field.
The final game of the homestand is set on Sunday with Family Sunday as the promotion. Children 12 and under will be able to run the bases following the game, and families will be able to toss soft baseballs in the outfield for 30 minutes after the game ends.
The Blue Wahoos will have Jonathan Bermúdez (3-4, 5.02 ERA) making his second start this week against the Biscuits' Patrick Wicklander (3-2, 4.58).
Pregame activities will begin at 3:45 p.m., including ceremonial first pitches and special guest introductions. The official first pitch of the game will be at 4:05 p.m.
The game will be available through an audio broadcast beginning at 4:00 on BlueWahoos.com, the MiLB First Pitch app (radio), Bally Live, and MiLB.tv (video).
For more information, visit BlueWahoos.com or contact the box office at (850) 934-8444.
Images from this story
 Pensacola Blue Wahoos' Jacob Berry at bat |
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- Berry Homers, But Wahoos Fall 4-3 in Packed Evening - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
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