With Hostetler's Bombs, Blue Wahoos Continue Record HR Season In Playoff Win
No team in Blue Wahoos history blasted more home runs in a single-season than this edition. The bomb brigade has carried right into post-season. Leading the way, first baseman Bennett Hostetler, who produced a career memory Tuesday night by hitting two home runs and scored three runs as the Blue
No team in Blue Wahoos history blasted more home runs in a single-season than this edition.
The bomb brigade has carried right into post-season.
Leading the way, first baseman Bennett Hostetler, who produced a career memory Tuesday night by hitting two home runs and scored three runs as the Blue Wahoos beat the Montgomery Biscuits 5-2 in Game 1 of the Southern League South Division playoffs at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.
Following the game, the Blue Wahoos headed back to Pensacola knowing they have two chances to clinch the best-of-three series in their ballpark, beginning Thursday night at 6:05 with Game 2 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
All five Blue Wahoos runs Tuesday came from home runs. Hostetler, who went 3-for-5, accounted for three RBI with his two rockets. Right fielder Jake Thompson, who joined the team on September 1, hit a two-run shot in the second inning.
The Blue Wahoos finished the regular-season Sunday with a club record 163 homers in the regular-season that was the sixth most in Southern League history since 1964. With three more Tuesday, they are now one away from tying the 1981 Orlando Twins for third most in the modern era of the league.
A year ago, the Blue Wahoos dropped Game 1 at Montgomery in the divisional playoffs, then won both games at Blue Wahoos Stadium to win the series, enroute to winning their first outright league championship.
This is now a more desired position. The Biscuits entered the game having won 20 of their last 23 games, including four wins at Biloxi last week to clinch the second half division.
But the Blue Wahoos shined in all facets Tuesday. They got a quality start from lefthander Luis Palacios, who worked into the sixth inning, allowing just two runs to earn the win.
The three relievers who followed were outstanding. Zach Willeman replaced Palacios with a runner on second and got the final two outs in the sixth inning. Luarbert Arias, continued his stellar work by striking out four of the eight batters he faced.
In the game’s pivotal moment, Arias gave up a pair of one-out singles in the eighth inning. But he struck out two of Montgomery’s best hitters, Dru Baker and Kenny Piper, to end the inning. He threw an unhittable breaking pitch with perfect drop to get Piper swinging at air.
The Blue Wahoos jumped to a 3-0 lead after three innings. Thompson followed Hostetler’s leadoff double in the second inning with a homer over the right field wall.
In the third inning, hit the first of his homers over the right-center wall.
After the Biscuits cut the deficit to 3-2, Hostetler came up with one out in the sixth inning and sent a fastball out of the ballpark in a no-doubt moon shot to left field. That was the biggest offensive lift for the Blue Wahoos in the game.
Hostetler, 25, grew up in Bozeman, Montana. He was an 18th round selection by the Miami Marlins in the 2021 draft from North Dakota State where he finished as the school’s all-time leader in games played. After joining the Blue Wahoos in early May from the Beloit Sky Carp – the Marlins High-A affiliate – Hostetler has made a steady transition from catcher to first baseman.
He replaced Troy Johnston as the regular first baseman. Johnston has continued his hitting prowess since being elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville.
Eight of the nine batters in the lineup reached base on night when the Blue Wahoos collected 10 hits.
This is the Blue Wahoos’ seventh post-season trip in the past eight seasons. Their win Tuesday gave them a 16-12 record this season against the Biscuits, the Tampa Bay Rays affiliate.
Thursday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium will have a half-hour earlier start (6:05 p.m.) that the weekday games this season. All playoff games if staged at home will have that start time.
Also, Thursday’s game, along with all playoff home games, will feature a one a one-price for $20 if purchased in advance that will allow fans the best available seats behind home plate and the baselines, plus ,a voucher for a free hot dog, chips and soft drink.
Fans will also be permitted to bring their beloved dogs in a repeat of the popular “Doggone Tuesdays” of the regular season. These promotions will exist for each playoff game.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Game 2, Southern League South Division Playoffs
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
TICKETS: $20 advance sale, includes hot dog, soft drink, chips.
INFO: www.bluewahoos.com
TV: MILBtv.com
AUDIO: Available on live stream audio broadcast on BlueWahoos.com, the MiLB First Pitch app (radio), Bally Live, and MiLB.tv (video).