Chattanooga Pounds Pensacola 6-1 In Series Opener
The Chattanooga Lookouts (43-28) defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (40-31) by a score of 6-1 on Friday night in game one of a five game home series for the Lookouts at AT&T Field. Friday night's game was the first game of the second half of the 2017 season for both teams, as game one, which was originally scheduled for Thursday, June 22nd, was postponed due to rain.
Friday night's contest between the Lookouts and the Wahoos was a battle between champions, with the Lookouts being the First-Half North Division Champions of the Southern League, and the Blue Wahoos being the First-Half South Division Champions.
With a spot in the 2017 Southern League playoffs already secured, the Chattanooga Lookouts did not take their foot off of the gas pedal. The Lookouts got off to a fast start, when they scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Lookouts two runs in the bottom of the first inning came via a throwing error by Pensacola second baseman, Josh VanMeter, which allowed both Nick Gordon and Edgar Corcino to score. Lookouts starting pitcher, Stephen Gonsalves (3-3, 2.85), showed great command on the mound as he silenced the Blue Wahoos bats for most of the night.
Chattanooga added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Levi Michael hit a towering three-run homer over the right field wall off of Pensacola starting pitcher, Keury Mella (2-5, 4.70). Pensacola managed to get on the board in the top of the fifth inning when Gavin LaValley sent a scorching solo shot over the center field wall off of Gonsalves, making the score 5-1.
In the top of the seventh inning, Lookouts right fielder, Edgar Corcino, provided the Lookouts with an insurance run, when he sent a single into right field, allowing Dan Rohlfing to score from second base, to make the score 6-1 in favor for the Lookouts.
For Chattanooga, southpaw, Stephen Gonsalves (3-3, 2.85) earned his first win of the second half, while Pensacola right hander, Keury Mella (2-5, 4.70) suffered his first loss of the second half. Chattanooga centerfielder, Levi Michael, was named Henpecked Chicken's Hot Player of The Game after going 1-for-4 at the plate with a HR, R, and 3 RBI. Gonsalves was also named the Ace of The Game for the Lookouts after his masterful pitching performance. On the night, Gonsalves pitched 7.0 innings, allowing just three hits, one earned run, and one walk, while striking out nine.
Game two between the Lookouts and the Blue Wahoos will be on Saturday, June 24th at 7:15 PM at AT&T Field. Chattanooga will send RHP, Felix Jorge (8-1, 3.35) to the mound and RHP, Deck McGuire (6-5, 3.50) will get the start for Pensacola. Saturday's game will also be Star Wars Night, so be sure to come to the game dressed in your best Star Wars gear!