The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored five runs with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday night to defeat the Columbus Clingstones 7-5 at Synovus Park in Columbus, Georgia. The victory clinched the Southern League South Division second-half title and secured the Blue Wahoos’ first playoff berth in three years.
The Blue Wahoos trailed 5-2 entering the ninth inning and had no one on base with two outs. Cristian Hernández started the rally with a solo home run, and Ethan O’Donnell followed with a single. Colby Shade then hit a two-run, game-tying home run after hitting a solo homer in the eighth inning.
Ryan Ignoffo doubled down the right-field line before Jay Beshears hit a two-run, go-ahead home run. Mason Vinyard earned the save in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Blue Wahoos completed the comeback and clinched their playoff berth.
Blue Wahoos overcome early deficit
Eliazar Dishmey allowed three runs in the first inning before settling in. The Blue Wahoos starting pitcher allowed only one additional hit over the next four innings. Connor Caskenette hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, and Shade’s solo homer in the eighth cut the Columbus lead to 3-2.
The Columbus Clingstones answered with two home runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 5-2 lead into the ninth. The Blue Wahoos responded with three home runs in the final inning, including Hernandez’s opening shot, Shade’s tying homer and Beshears’ go-ahead blast.
“It’s a very special team, This group is great,” said Blue Wahoos manager Nelson Prada. “You saw it (Sunday night) what happened. They never give up,” Prada said. “They work hard all the time.”
Beshears said the Columbus reliever was working away with offspeed pitches before he reached a favorable count. “It was a middle-away pitch, stayed with it, and hit it hard enough to go over,” Beshears said. “I’m just trusting myself. I know I can do it in big spots, so it’s fun to be able to get the opportunity to come through for the boys and the team. It’s very exciting.”
Pensacola Blue Wahoos return to playoffs
The playoff berth is the eighth postseason trip in the 14-year history of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos franchise. The Blue Wahoos are two-time league champions and are in their third season in six years as the Miami Marlins affiliate.
The Blue Wahoos clinched with a full week of regular-season games remaining, making it the earliest playoff clinch in franchise history. The second-half division title is only the second in franchise history.
“Now we can go home and plan everything for the playoffs,” Prada said.
Blue Wahoos prepare for Biloxi series
The Blue Wahoos will play six regular-season home games against the Biloxi Shuckers from Tuesday through Sunday at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Games Tuesday through Saturday are scheduled for 6:05 p.m., followed by a 1:05 p.m. start Sunday, September 13.
The Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers will then meet in a best-of-three Southern League South Division series. Game 1 is scheduled for September 15 at 6:05 p.m. at Blue Wahoos Stadium, with September 16 designated as an off-day and travel day.
Game 2 is scheduled for September 17 at Keesler Federal Park in Biloxi, Mississippi. A deciding Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for September 18 in Biloxi.
Source: Original report