
Nicolas' Arm, Bleday's Bat Leads Blue Wahoos to Series-Opening Win
August 17, 2021 - Southern League (SL)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
The Wahoos fended off a late comeback-bid from the Biloxi Shuckers to win Tuesday's series opener 2-1 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Leading 2-0 in the top of the eighth, turned a two-out error into a potential game-tying rally. After Galli Cribbs mishandled Alexander Palma's groundball, Andrew Nardi walked back-to-back batters, which loaded the bases for Biloxi. That forced the Wahoos to bring in their closer, Colton Hock (S, 14), for a four-out save. The Shuckers brought in Chad Spanberger to pinch-hit (creating a right-on-left matchup), and he was able to draw a walk, which brought home Hayden Cantrelle (pinch-ran for Palma).
Fortunately for the Wahoos, Hock induced an inning-ending groundout from Gabe Holt to end the threat for the Shuckers. In the top of the ninth, Hock worked around a two-out single from Mitch Longo to close out the game and his 14th save of the year.
Kyle Nicolas (W, 2-0) did much of the heavy lifting for Pensacola to begin the game. The right-hander pitched five shutout innings and allowed three hits and four walks while striking out seven. In three starts at Blue Wahoos Stadium, Nicolas has pitched 15 shutout innings and has allowed a total of five hits, 11 walks, and has struck out 23.
Offensively, Pensacola took the lead in the third inning after Cribbs doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Peyton Burdick. The Wahoos doubled their edge in the fifth inning, when Burdick reached on an error and scored on JJ Bleday's team-leading 17th double of the year. Chris Chinea also turned in a multi-hit performance with his 2-for-2 night that included a walk.
The home stand continues tomorrow night with RHP Max Meyer (6-1, 2.00) toeing the slab for Pensacola. Biloxi will send RHP Noah Zavolas (4-6, 5.01) to oppose him. Meyer in five previous starts against the Shuckers 3-0 with a 0.37 ERA (1 ER / 24.1 IP). Coverage begins at 6:30 PM CT on MiLB.TV and CST, with radio coverage also available at ESPN Pensacola and bluewahoos.com.
Images from this story
![]() Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Kyle Nicolas |
![]() Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher Kyle Nicolas |
Southern League Stories from August 17, 2021
- Trash Pandas Rally Late, Hold on for 6-5 Win - Rocket City Trash Pandas
- Nicolas' Arm, Bleday's Bat Leads Blue Wahoos to Series-Opening Win - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- M-Braves Slam Biscuits 9-3 in Series Opener - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Fall in Opener to M-Braves, 9-3 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Blue Wahoos Hold off Shuckers in Opener - Biloxi Shuckers
- Tuesday, August 17 at Montgomery Biscuits: 6:35 PM CT: Riverwalk Stadium - Mississippi Braves
- Smokies, Barons Postponed Tuesday - Knoxville Smokies
- Bryce Elder Promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett Among Tuesday Roster Moves - Mississippi Braves
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stories
- Praytor Breaks Through, Pitching Shows out in Pensacola's Series-Clinching Win
- Fulton Dazzles, Lifts Wahoos to Win over Trash Pandas
- Laskey Delivers Career-Long Outing, But Rocket City Evens Series with Wahoos
- Newcomer Trimble Ignites Rally in Wahoos' Comeback Win
- Wild Pitching Costs Wahoos in 9-0 Loss

