Pensacola Hosts Biloxi in Another Historic Opener
Published on April 9, 2015 under Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
Robert Stephenson Pitching for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos
(Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Credit: Barrett McClean/Pensacola Blue Wahoos)
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Pensacola hosted its second historic season opening game in its four years of existence. This time, it was the Biloxi Shuckers first game in history and the city's first game since 1908 - nearly 107 years ago.
The Shuckers earned its first Southern League win, 4-0, Thursday against the Blue Wahoos, thanks to shortstop Orlando Arcia's double that knocked in two runs in the top of the third inning. The Wahoos managed just three hits in the loss.
The Shuckers scored its first runs in the third to go ahead 2-0. That's when the Brewers' No. 2 prospect Arcia, who was 3-4 with two doubles and three runs batted in, lined a shot over Blue Wahoos right fielder Kyle Waldrop that drove in both Biloxi's Adam Weisenburger and Kyle Wren.
The Shuckers added another run in the 6th when Michael Reed smashed a single off Pensacola reliever Chad Rogers down the third base line that scored Arcia for a 3-0 lead. Arcia singled in the 9th inning to score Josh Fellhauer, a former Wahoos player, to put the Shuckers ahead, 4-0.
Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly said he doesn't envy the Shuckers' extended road trip.
"That's a really long time," Kelly said. "They will either be really close or fighting all the time."
Biloxi's road game - Pensacola's 105th sellout in its history - was the first of 55 scheduled over the next two months for the Milwaukee Brewers' Double-A affiliate. The team will spend 60 straight nights in a hotel in nine different cities reached by bus.
It's one of the longest road trips in recent history after the franchise moved from Huntsville, Ala., to Biloxi in the offseason. Its home opener is tentatively scheduled June 6 in downtown Biloxi.
Just how excited were Shuckers fans for the team's season opener? Interim Mayor Kenny Glavan showed up in a Biloxi jersey and threw out the first pitch with Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward.
"This is a historic day for Biloxi just as it was for Pensacola when they had their first opening day (in 2012)," Glavan said. "We look forward to a great relationship."
Asked before the game who was going to win, Glavan, a likely mayoral candidate, sounded like a true politician: "It will be really competitive and the best team is going to win," he said.
The Reds top prospect Robert Stephenson welcomed the Shuckers to Pensacola with five straight fastballs in the 95 mph range. He ended up striking out Wren, Milwaukee's 19th best prospect.
Stephenson, who had his 80-mph change up working, too, fanned Wren again in the 5th and had seven total in 5.2 innings. He gave up four hits, two walks and three earned runs.
Stephenson said he's happy with the way his change up looked.
"I was a little bit amped up and that's when I ran into trouble," Stephenson said.
He also promised the Blue Wahoos would not pop champagne over the Shuckers first franchise victory.
"I can't tell you we will be celebrating that," he said smiling.
FRIDAY GAME NOTES
The second game of the five-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate Biloxi Shuckers is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Friday. RHP Daniel Wright makes his Double-A debut as he takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Shuckers RHP Tyler Wagner.
The first 2,000 fans in attendance on FANtastic Friday Giveaway will receive a Blue Wahoos hat provided by Landrum Human Resources.
The game is broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station NewsRadio1620 (WNRP-AM). Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Stream Wahoos games on MiLB.TV, a subscription-based service provided by Minor League Baseball.
BIG FISH
Right-hander Robert Stephenson (0-1) struck out seven batters in 5.2 innings with a mix of 95-mph fastballs and 80-mph change ups...Catcher Kyle Skipworth singled in two at bats and walked...Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean singled in four at bats and was robbed of a sinking liner to center...Reliever Daniel Corcino struck out two, walked two and hit a batter in one scoreless inning.
Images from this story
 Robert Stephenson Pitching for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Barrett McClean/Pensacola Blue Wahoos) |
Southern League Stories from April 9, 2015
- Historic Night Capped Off By 4-0 Shutout Of Blue Wahoos - Biloxi Shuckers
- M-Braves Drop Season Opener to Smokies - Mississippi Braves
- Biscuits Walk-Off on Opening Night - Montgomery Biscuits
- Pensacola Hosts Biloxi in Another Historic Opener - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Generals Shut out Jacksonville in Season Opener - Jackson Generals
- Suns Lose to Generals in 2015 Season Opener - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Game Information & Lineup - Biloxi Shuckers
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