Banfield Continues Climb At Plate, But Blue Wahoos Drop Opener To Shuckers

The Blue Wahoos final homestand series got off to a rough start

Except for Will Banfield.

The 22-year-old catcher produced another multi-hit night, going 3-for-4 and scoring a run in Pensacola’s 7-2 loss Tuesday against the Biloxi Shuckers at Blue Wahoos Stadium.

Banfield’s efforts continued his impressive progression since being elevated in late-July from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate in Beloit, Wisconsin.

After going 3-for-21 in his first six games with the Blue Wahoos, then struggling in early August, Banfield has raised his average from .119 on Aug. 9 to its current .286, following his fifth multi-hit effort in the last eight games.

It has been a breakthrough season for Banfield, a second-round pick by the Marlins in the 2018 draft, after his high school career in Snellville, Ga., located 36 miles east of Atlanta.

Tuesday night, he led off the second inning with a single and scored on Bubba Hollins’ one-out double. It trimmed Biloxi’s 2-0 lead.

After the Shuckers added another run in third inning, the Blue Wahoos trailed only 3-2 into the top of the sixth. That became the turning point.

The Shuckers sent nine batters to the plate against reliever Brady Puckett, who loaded the bases with one out. Back to back hits scored three runs and a fourth run came home on a sacrifice fly.

Blue Wahoos starter Zach King, who worked into the fifth inning, gave up two runs and racked up nine strikeouts among 21 batters faced.

GAME NOTABLES

-- The Blue Wahoos honored long-time employee Willa Silas before the game as the team employee of the month. She threw out a ceremonial first pitch. Silas has worked stadium operations since the team's inaugural season and is someone who smiles as soon as meeting anyone.

-- The Blue Wahoos have now had 70 different roster moves since the MLB All-Star Game break in late July. During this span, 18 players who wore a Blue Wahoos uniform have made MLB debuts. The 70 moves includes 11 players who arrived in Pensacola for their Double-A level debut from High-A Beloit.

-- Playoffs are set. The Blue Wahoos will play in Montgomery on Sept. 20 vs. the Montgomery Biscuits, then have an off day on Sept. 21. Games 2 and a deciding Game 3, if necessary, will be Sept. 22 (Thursday) and 23 (Friday). Games will begin at 6 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The Rocket City Trash Pandas will play the Tennessee Smokies in the other best of three series among Southern League North Division foes.

BLUE WAHOOS HOMESTAND

WHO: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos

WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday

WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium

GAMETIMES: Games on Wednesday through Friday begin at 6:35 p.m; Saturday’s game is 6:05 p.m. and Sunday is 4:05 p.m.

TICKETS: Available online at www.bluewahoos.com. Or by visiting Blue Wahoos main box office at stadium during normal business hours.

RADIO: ESPN-Pensacola (99.1 FM and 1330 AM and WYCT 98.7 HD4).

TV: MILB.tv (streaming) through www.milb.com/live-stream-games with subscription discount using BLUE WAHOOS.

PROMOTIONS: Wednesday: One Price Wednesday. All available seats are $18 and include a hot dog, chips and soda.

Thursday: Mullet Thursday. The Blue Wahoos will wear Pensacola Mullets uniforms and it will also be Thirsty Thursday with drink specials.

Friday: Giveaway Friday: The first 2,000 fans will receive a special bobblehead of Watson & Watson – Bubba Watson and the Blue Wahoos service-dog-in-training named for the world renown golf star.

Saturday: Fireworks Saturday. The final fireworks show of the 2022 season at Blue Wahoos Stadium begins the 10th anniversary weekend.. In addition, the Blue Wahoos will have an in-game auction for their Sunday pink jerseys worn the last two years.

Sunday: Family Sunday.. There will be special presentations in honor of the 10-year history of the franchise, along kids running the bases in post game and family toss in outfield.