PENSACOLA LOSES SERIES OPENER TO MONTGOMERY, 5-3

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Kyle Waldrop enjoys taking his spot in the outfield and seeing fans fill Pensacola Bayfront Stadium nearly every home game.

 

"They love us," Waldrop said. "They're out here having fun and that's what it's all about. The fans, the atmosphere, the stadium and the town itself just doesn't get any better than this."

 

Friday night the Blue Wahoos started its last five-game homestand of 2014 just 10,995 fans shy of breaking the 300,000 mark for the third season in the team's third year of existence. A crowd of 4,516 increased the season total to 294,521, the second most in the Double-A Southern League.

 

They witnessed the Wahoos lose the opener, 5-3, to the Montgomery Biscuits.

 

The Wahoos will likely pass the 307,094 attendance mark set in 2013 and in the inaugural season in 2012 they drew 328,147, which ranked first in the Southern League.

 

This year, the Wahoos have averaged 4,462 fans a game, so they should surpass 300,000 in Sunday's home game that Gulf Breeze product Ben Lively is scheduled to start as the pitcher.

 

So far, the Wahoos rank only behind only the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons, who have 412,467 total for an average of 6,346 per game.

 

Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields said the Pensacola fans are amazing for their knowledge of the game and loyalty to the team.

 

"We definitely appreciate them," DeShields said. "They've come and stood behind the kids in the good, the bad and the ugly. The fans are what it's all about."

 

The Wahoos tied the game, 3-3, in the fifth inning when shortstop Devin Lohman scored from third base on a groundout into a double play by first baseman Travis Mattair. Lohman reached base on a walk and then was caught red-handed trying to steal second base but Montgomery catcher Justin O'Connor's throw to catch him in a run down flew into centerfield. Lohman headed to third and was safe when centerfielder Kes Carter's throw rolled to the visitor's dugout along the third base line.

 

However, the Biscuits quickly regained the lead when Taylor Motter doubled to the gap in right center and Cameron Seitzer followed with a single down the right field line to score Motter and put Montgomery back ahead, 4-3. They added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Seitzer scored after leading off the inning with a double.

 

GAME NOTES

The second game of the five-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits gets underway at 6:35 p.m. Saturday. The Wahoos pitcher is expected to be left-hander Joel Bender (6-3, 4.67) from the Low-A Dayton Dragons, according to Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields when the transaction is made Saturday. He will be opposed by the Biscuits RHP Dylan Floro (9-13, 3.59). A choreographed Fireworks Extravaganza will follow the game thanks to Andrews Institute.

 

Sunday's game will start later at 6 p.m. because of the inaugural ThunderRun Super Boat Grand Prix.

 

Saturday's game will be broadcast live on WFGX-TV. The game also will be broadcast live on radio on ESPN Pensacola at 101.1 FM and 1450 AM. You can stream the game at MILB.TV.

 

SATURDAY SPECIALS A Marine jersey auction benefiting wounded warriors will be held Saturday night. The Wahoos will wear special Marine jerseys presented by Andrews Institute. The game worn jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit The Eagle Fund of the Andrews Institute Foundation, a non-profit that provides wounded warriors access to the highest quality of care possible.

 

In addition, it's College Game Night. Fans are encouraged to wear gear from their favorite college teams and huddle up for special in-game competitions, fight song battles and more.

 

BIG FISH Leftfielder Yorman Rodriguez doubled in the third inning and was 1-for-3 on the night, extending his hitting streak to eight games...Catcher Chris Berset went 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk...Shortstop Devin Lohman went 1-for-2, walking twice and scoring a run...Right fielder Kyle Waldrop was 1-for-2 and drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to left.

 

HELLO, CORCINO! Blue Wahoos right-handed starting pitcher Daniel Corcino learned on the bus back to Pensacola at the end of the Jacksonville Suns series late Thursday night that the Cincinnati Reds called him up to make his Major League debut. Corcino, the No. 12 prospect in the organization according to MLB.com, joined the Reds who are hosting the Atlanta Braves.

 

The 23-year-old Corcino was 10-11 in 26 outings with the Blue Wahoos this season. He struck out 113 Southern League hitters, good for fourth in the league, while issuing 70 walks over 143.2 innings. He held opponents to just a .230 average.

 

After pitching for Triple-A Louisville in 2013, Corcino was sent back in Pensacola for his second stint with the Wahoos. He was one of the original Blue Wahoos, playing in Pensacola during the team's inaugural season in 2012. He is forever etched in the history books as being the first Blue Wahoo to toss a no-hitter when he combined with Wilkin De La Rosa to no-hit the Mobile BayBears at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on June 16, 2012.

 

- Pensacola Blue Wahoos -

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets for the 2014 season still remain and can be purchased by calling the box office at (850) 934-8444 or in person at the Hill Kelly Dodge Pickup Window. Follow the Blue Wahoos at bluewahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos, and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.