UWF Baseball Team Celebrates Return To Blue Wahoos Stadium With Walk-off Win 

A return trip by the UWF baseball team this year to Blue Wahoos Stadium became a far different experience.

This one was celebratory.

Argos’ first baseman Cade Easterbrook hit a slow roller in the ninth inning with the bases loaded, and Alex Urias beat the throw to the plate for the game-winning run in a 4-3 walk-off win Tuesday against North Georgia on a windswept night at the bayfront ballpark.

“It’s wonderful,” said UWF coach Mike Jeffcoat, after his entire team raced from the dugout to the infield in joyful display to congratulate each other. A year ago in March, the Argos lost 12-1 to Georgia Southwestern at Blue Wahoos Stadium in a game halted after seven innings on the mercy rule.

“The embarrassment last year, we were right in the middle of a middle-of-the-season slump and it kind of helped catapult us, honestly, wake us up, and we got a little better,” said Jeffcoat, whose team got hot in May and won a consecutive Gulf Coast Conference title and reached the deciding game of the NCAA Division II South Region tournament.

“That got us ready for the post season last year,” he said. “But you never want to leave a place like this (Blue Wahoos Stadium) with bad memories and we’ve had good memories and good experiences leading up to last year. So, it was great to get back on the winning way. I think we are 4-1 here (at stadium) now and that’s good.”

The game Tuesday was played amid a sustained wind that never relented and turned every fly ball into a difficult play. But both teams shined defensively. Players made diving catches, sliding infield stops and outfielders tracked fly balls long distances and to make catches.

“There were balls blowing 40 to 50 feet from where they started,” Jeffcoat said. “And the guys stayed with that. We made (players) try to focus on that in batting practice. It’s a lot tougher for the offense.

““Tough conditions, but another beautiful night. Great facility. I know our players and North Georgia were really excited to play here, so it’s always special for us.”

It was a well-pitched, well-played game, especially among weather conditions Jeffcoat called maybe the most difficult he has encountered. The game’s start time was moved up two hours in effort to ensure the nine inning contest finished before conditions worsened with rain.

“We really appreciate you guys (Blue Wahoos staff) working with us,” Jeffcoat said. “It’s always special to be here. I don’t think I can ever remember playing in game with wind this strong.”

Prior the game, UWF made a classy gesture in honoring North Geogia coach Tom Cantrell, who is retiring this season after starting the school’s baseball program in 2000.

UWF (10-7) has now won six of its last seven games, including a comeback series win last week against then-No. 16 ranked Delta State.

“I just think our team got some real confidence boost when we took two from Delta on Saturday,” Jeffcoat said. “We finally some emotion and really got into it like the other (UWF) teams have done and I think we that (Tuesday night).”

Senior reliever Chase Stanhope earned his first win this season with a clutch. dominating performance. He came on in the sixth inning and was a game-changer for UWF. He faced 14 batters, struck out seven, allowed just one hit, no walks and just baserunner in the final three innings.

“Very proud of Stanhope. That was huge,” Jeffcoat said. “I know his dad would be very proud of him.”

The Argos began their ninth inning rally with the first two batters, Urias and Dom Presto reaching base when hit by pitches. Parker Tubb then laid down a perfect bunt on the third base line, causing all runners to be safe. On a 2-2 pitch, Easterbrook made contact and the slow infield roller wound up winning the game.

The Argos had just five hits in the game. North Georgia (11-7) had 10 hits, including a 3-for-4 night at the plate by right fielder Jorge Arispuro.