Hurrah For Jerar As Blue Wahoos Top Slugger Leads First Home Win

Injuries a year ago limited Jerar Encarnacion’s playing time with the Blue Wahoos and affected his progression as a big-bat presence at the plate.

“Last year was last year,” he said. “And this year is this year, so no stopping now. I’m just thankful to help the team.”

He did that in a grand way Wednesday night.

Encarnacion, 24, a 6-foot-4 outfielder/first baseman from the Dominican Republic, tied the game with a two-run double in the sixth inning, then produced the go-ahead runs with a two-run homer in the eighth as the Blue Wahoos beat the Montgomery Biscuits 6-4 for their first home win of the season.

On a night where the wind was whistling directly into the stadium from Pensacola Bay, making every fly ball a fielding challenge and any power shot a feat, Encarnacion had just enough oomph on a 3-2 pitch into the teeth of the strong breeze.

The ball hit on the top of the padding on the left field fence and bounded outside the ballpark. It scored catcher Paul McIntosh who had a one-out single.

“I know I can hit everywhere,” said Encarnacion, who did a post-game interview in English as he continues to learn a new language.”

After being swept in a three-game season-opening series by the Biloxi Shuckers and Tuesday’s 5-1 loss, the Blue Wahoos got a much-needed comeback home win.

They trailed 4-1 in the sixth inning when breaking through the Biscuits bullpen. The Blue Wahoos leadoff hitter that inning, Hayden Cantrelle was plunked by Michael Costanzo, the second Biscuits reliever Wednesday.

Bubba Hollins followed with a single and Ray-Patrick Didder walked to load the bases. With one out, the wind created more havoc.

McIntosh hit a pop fly that popped out of Biscuits’ first baseman Brett Wisely’s glove. It enabled a run to score and Didder was thrown out at second.

Encarnacion followed with a curving double that hit just inside the foul line, enabling two runs to score.

In the eighth inning, he again followed McIntosh’s hit with the eventual game-winning shot.

“We have a good team,” said Encarnacion. “Everybody is healthy and everybody is working together pretty well and just keep rolling with it during the season.”

A year ago, Encarnacion had a right knee injury limited him to playing in just 65 games with all but two of those games for the Blue Wahoos. He batted .222. The previous season in 2020, he didn’t play due the canceled season as effect from the coronavirus pandemic.

And now? He’s the Blue Wahoos top hitter with a .348 average through 11 games with four homers and nine RBI.

His big night Wednesday included two hits and a walk in four at-bats, a pair of hits and four RBI. McIntosh and Griffin Conine, whose triple in the second inning scored Encarnacion with the first run, had the Blue Wahoos other RBI.

The Blue Wahoos got excellent relief pitchng from Eli Villalobos (2 innings, 1 run) and winning pitcher Josh Simpson, who pitched two scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

The teams will continue their six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium on Thursday, featuring the Blue Wahoos return of “Mullet Thursday” and “Thirsty Thursday” beverage specials.

GAME NOTABLES

--- The Blue Wahoos tried their first One Price Wednesday with all available seats at $17 if purchased in advance ($19 on Wednesday) and included a hot dog, soda and chips.

--- The popular “Roach Run” was moved to the end of the sixth inning, as opposed to being staged after five innings.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Blue Wahoos Homestand

WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

WHEN: Thursday Thru Sunday

RADIO: ESPN Pensacola.

PROMOTIONS: Thursday – Mullet Thursday, Thirsty Thursday; FRIDAY – Women In Sports Night featuring three of the area’s greatest female athletes: Michelle Snow, Beth Barr, Melissa Miller-Schubeck and Giveaway Friday with T-Shirt and 10th anniversary logo. Saturday – Post-Game Fireworks. Sunday: Family Sunday.