Pensacola Loses Series Opener to Montgomery, 5-3
August 22, 2014 - Southern League (SL1)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos News Release
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Kyle Waldrop enjoys taking his spot in the outfield and seeing fans fill Pensacola Bayfront Stadium nearly every home game.
"They love us," Waldrop said. "They're out here having fun and that's what it's all about. The fans, the atmosphere, the stadium and the town itself just doesn't get any better than this."
Friday night the Blue Wahoos started its last five-game homestand of 2014 just 10,995 fans shy of breaking the 300,000 mark for the third season in the team's third year of existence. A crowd of 4,516 increased the season total to 294,521, the second most in the Double-A Southern League.
They witnessed the Wahoos lose the opener, 5-3, to the Montgomery Biscuits.
The Wahoos will likely pass the 307,094 attendance mark set in 2013 and in the inaugural season in 2012 they drew 328,147, which ranked first in the Southern League.
This year, the Wahoos have averaged 4,462 fans a game, so they should surpass 300,000 in Sunday's home game that Gulf Breeze product Ben Lively is scheduled to start as the pitcher.
So far, the Wahoos rank only behind only the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons, who have 412,467 total for an average of 6,346 per game.
Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields said the Pensacola fans are amazing for their knowledge of the game and loyalty to the team.
"We definitely appreciate them," DeShields said. "They've come and stood behind the kids in the good, the bad and the ugly. The fans are what it's all about."
The Wahoos tied the game, 3-3, in the fifth inning when shortstop Devin Lohman scored from third base on a groundout into a double play by first baseman Travis Mattair. Lohman reached base on a walk and then was caught red-handed trying to steal second base but Montgomery catcher Justin O'Connor's throw to catch him in a run down flew into centerfield. Lohman headed to third and was safe when centerfielder Kes Carter's throw rolled to the visitor's dugout along the third base line.
However, the Biscuits quickly regained the lead when Taylor Motter doubled to the gap in right center and Cameron Seitzer followed with a single down the right field line to score Motter and put Montgomery back ahead, 4-3. They added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Seitzer scored after leading off the inning with a double.
Southern League Stories from August 22, 2014
- Stars Edge Mobile - Huntsville Stars
- Jordy Lara hit his 26th overall home run of 2014 in 7-3 loss on Friday - Jackson Generals
- Pensacola Loses Series Opener to Montgomery, 5-3 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Pensacola Loses Series Opener to Montgomery, 5-3 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- M-Braves Slip Past Barons in Series Opener 3-2 - Birmingham Barons
- M-Braves Maintain Division Lead, Defeat Barons - Mississippi Braves
- Bullpen Dominates Wahoos in Series-Opener - Montgomery Biscuits
- Suns Offense Explodes in 18-1 Win over Smokies - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Suns Shoot Past Smokies 18-1 in Series Opener - Knoxville Smokies
- Daniel Corcino Gets the Call to Cincinnati - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- 2013 First-Round Pick Tim Anderson Joins Barons - Birmingham Barons
- Pineyro Allows Seven Runs in Smokies Loss - Knoxville Smokies
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