Blue Wahoos Stadium Provides Storm Relief, Hosting Entertaining Georgia Tech-Alabama Fall Ball Game

Only seven days removed from the wrath of Hurricane Isaias, a keepsake moment unfolded October 17 at Blue Wahoos Stadium when Georgia Tech and Alabama’s baseball teams staged a showcase fall exhibition game.

Just like that, the joy was back at the ballpark. Baseball was played again.

“It was amazing,” said Georgia Tech coach James Ramsey, whose team got a pair of home runs from third baseman Ryan Zuckerman, a returning senior, and the Yellow Jackets held on the ninth inning for a 6-4 win against the Crimson Tide. It was Georgia Tech’s first game at Blue Wahoos Stadium and the team is hoping to return again.

“I know a lot went into making this happen and we’re glad to be able to play here and experience this beautiful ballpark,” Ramsey said.

The nine-inning Fall Ball game was one of three scheduled in October at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Florida State-Auburn game, scheduled the previous Saturday, was canceled several days in advance of the devastating hurricane’s landfall on the Northwest Florida coast.

The Florida Gators will face the Troy Trojans in Pensacola this Saturday (Oct. 24) at 1 p.m. in a nine-inning, exhibition rematch of their NCAA regional battle in May. The Trojans won that deciding playoff game and went on in the Super Regional to advance into their first Men’s College World Series appearance in school history.

Blue Wahoos events manager Shannon Hannah, who arranged all three matchups, spent the days immediately following the storm in communication with the teams to ensure the final two games can be played.

“This was awesome. I know a lot of work when into getting this ready,” said Alabama coach Rob Vaughn. “When we talked to Shannon earlier (prior to game) we said that we understand with people having devastated houses and different kind of things, a baseball game is probably much lower on the priority list.”

Vaughn said both teams wanted to make the game happen if possible.

“Hopefully some families were able to come and enjoy a couple good hours of baseball even though they are probably dealing with some crazy stuff,” he said. “So, it was an awesome game.

“And this is why we come and play these games… you play a really good opponent. You set up it and hopefully it’s fun for the fans to watch and it’s great for us to put our guys in that environment. What we got out of this game is exactly what we wanted.”

It took a week of work by the Blue Wahoos Staff, along with City of Pensacola employees and others, to get the stadium back in playable condition.

The hurricane toppled the padded outfield panels like falling dominoes from the left field foul pole to center field. All that remained was bent metal framing. That required getting a temporary fence installed over the framing.

An oak tree behind the wall in left-center field crashed into the stadium’s warning track. Blue Wahoos staff members removed the tree and all the limbs using chain saws and staff members cleaned up all the debris.

In addition, a temporary black screen, known as the “batter’s eye” was installed in center field. The hurricane ripped the existing screen to shreds.

The protective netting along the third base stands was refastened. Blue Wahoos head groundskeeper Willie Lawrence spent the week restoring the infield, the pitcher’s mound and home plate areas, as well as sweeping through the outfield turf.

The result was being able to play a game featuring two of the best teams from 2026 in collegiate baseball. Alabama reached the College World Series for the first time since 1999. Georgia Tech posted a 48-9 record, its highest win percentage in school history and climbed to a No. 2 national ranking before an upset loss to Oklahoma in the regionals.

Eight Yellow Jackets players were drafted in the 2026 MLB Draft.

“It was a true pleasure to get to welcome these two programs to Blue Wahoos Stadium,” Hannah said. “Both coaches, both coaching staffs, both teams were just the kindest, most wonderful people.

“We’re so grateful they trusted us to get the stadium back in shape after the hurricane and made the trip to Pensacola. It was a perfect fall day for baseball.”

The game itself was played as if it were late May in the teams’ seasons. The defense impressed.

Both teams’ outfielders shook off blustery winds and tracked every fly ball without a mishap. The wind often caused fly balls to take deep turns, but none fell out of reach from a fielder’s glove.

There were diving infield stops and barehand plays made.

“Just crazy wind, and a different kind of surface than we’ve been on all week,” Vaughn said. “A lot of times, we will travel and get on the field the night before, but just with classes we weren’t able to do it.

“But, all in all, this weekend was what you wanted it to be.”

Zuckerman was the game’s offensive star. He hit a two-run homer in the third inning and followed with another 2-run shot in the fifth inning to give the Yellow Jackets a 5-3 lead. He finished 2-for-4 with 4 RBI. Teammate Coleman Lewis hit a solo homer in the fifth.

“Obviously, Zuckerman, the big winner of the day for us, two big home runs," Ramsey said. "Just a fearless leader, a guy that was really in the mix being a leader a lot last year, but now he kind of has a chance to kind of be the leader of this team and really proud of him."

Will Plattner and Even Taylor had two hits apiece for Alabama, part of the team’s 10 hits in the game. The teams combined to use 11 pitchers. Georgia Tech’s Justin Shadek pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the win. Caden Gaudette earned the save in the ninth inning, after Alabama had runners on second and third with two out.

“The fact (game) ended up with tying run on second base is exactly how you want it to shake out with guys getting reps in that situation,” Vaughn said. “You can’t replicate that.”

Alabama closes out its fall scrimmage schedule with a game against Alabama-Birmingham on Friday. Georgia Tech will host Clemson on Oct. 31.

The Florida Gators enter Saturday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium with four players rated among the nation’s top 100 prospects by Baseball America, led by junior shortstop Brendan Lawson, who might be the overall No. 1 pick in the 2027 MLB Draft.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Fall Baseball Exhibition Game

WHO: Troy Trojans vs. Florida Gators

WHEN: Saturday 1 p.m.

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

TICKETS: Available online at www.bluewahoos.com or by stopping by the Blue Wahoos ticket office Monday through Friday during normal business hours. The box office will also be open on Saturday.