The Columbus Clingstones (19-20) took the games first lead, but could not manage enough offense to keep pace with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (20-20) in a narrow 3-1 series opening loss on Tuesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Decisive Plays: Columbus opened the scoring with an RBI double from Luke Waddell in the first inning, but three-consecutive two-out hits from Pensacola tied the game in the bottom of the first. The 1-1 tie held until the sixth inning, when an RBI double from Garret Forrester gave the Wahoos a 2-1 lead. A solo home run from Fenwick Trimble in the eighth inning made it 3-1. Columbus got the tying runs aboard in the ninth, but a strikeout ended their efforts for a late rally.
Key Contributors: Waddell (1-for-3, 2B, RBI) produced the Clingstones only run of the game while Tyler LaPorte (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO) looked sharp again in relief. For Pensacola, Trimble (2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI) had two of the three extra-base hits, while the Wahoos bullpen combined for 4.0 innings of scoreless work.
Notable: Columbus falls to 1-7 in series openers this season. The Clingstones are now 3-10 all-time at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Waddell extended his on-base streak to 14 games.
Next Game (Wednesday, May 20): Columbus at Pensacola, 7:05 p.m. ET at Blue Wahoos Stadium. RHP Shay Schanaman (2-2, 5.49 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP Alex Williams (0-4, 6.75 ERA) for Pensacola. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.
Next Home Game (Tuesday, May 26): Columbus vs. Biloxi, 7:06 p.m. ET at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.