Pensacola Local News & Breaking Updates | NewsWK
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Playoffs Return After Dramatic Ninth-Inning Comeback Win
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos clinched a postseason berth after a dramatic five-run, ninth-inning comeback against the Columbus Clingstones. The 7-5 victory secured the Southern League South Division second-half title, bringing playoff baseball back to downtown Pensacola.
Last updated:
Pensacola baseball fans celebrated a wild finish on Sunday night. The team stood down to its final out in Georgia. Then, the lineup unleashed five runs to take the lead. Consequently, fans across Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and Northwest Florida can prepare for postseason baseball at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The club defeated the Columbus Clingstones 7-5 at Synovus Park on Sunday, September 6, 2026. This thrilling victory officially secured the Southern League South Division second-half crown for Pensacola. Furthermore, it eliminated Columbus from postseason contention.
How Did the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Clinch Playoffs in Columbus?
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos clinched the playoffs after staging a massive two-out, ninth-inning rally against Columbus. Trailing 5-2 with nobody on base and two outs, the team hit three home runs in a five-run outburst. That offensive surge pushed Pensacola ahead 7-5. As a result, the victory sealed the second-half division crown.
The rally started unexpectedly. Columbus held a comfortable three-run cushion heading into the final frame. Two quick outs then put Pensacola on the brink of defeat. However, Cristian Hernández crushed a solo home run to center field. That blast cut the deficit to 5-3. Next, Ethan O’Donnell lined a single to keep the inning alive.
Colby Shade stepped to the plate next. Shade had already belted a solo homer in the eighth inning. He jumped on a pitch and drove a two-run shot over the left-field fence. Therefore, that game-tying blast knotted the score at 5-5. The visiting dugout instantly erupted in celebration.
Ninth-Inning Rally Fuels Pensacola Blue Wahoos Playoffs Return
The decisive comeback peaked when Ryan Ignoffo lined a double down the right-field line. Moments later, Jay Beshears drove a two-strike pitch the opposite way. Beshears sent a two-run home run over the right-field wall. Consequently, Pensacola suddenly led 7-5, capping an unbelievable five-run frame.
Pensacola arms then finished the job. The defense retired Columbus in order during the bottom of the ninth inning. In total, the Pensacola offense launched five home runs during the game:
- Connor Caskenette hit a solo home run in the third inning.
- Colby Shade hit two home runs, including a solo shot in the eighth and a game-tying two-run blast in the ninth.
- Cristian Hernández launched a two-out solo homer in the ninth.
- Jay Beshears blasted the go-ahead two-run homer in the ninth.
What Was the Final Pensacola Blue Wahoos Score and Path to Victory?
The final Pensacola Blue Wahoos score stood at 7-5 on Sunday night. This win lifted Pensacola to a 40-22 record in the second half. Meanwhile, Columbus dropped to 33-30 in the half and finished 34-34 at home. The victory also pushed Pensacola’s overall 2026 season record to 76-55, while Columbus fell to 62-65.
Early on, Columbus dictated the pace. The Clingstones scored three runs in the first inning. Owen Carey produced an RBI double, and Adam Zebrowski added an RBI single. Pensacola chipped away with Caskenette’s third-inning homer. Shade then narrowed the gap to 3-2 with his eighth-inning blast.
However, Columbus responded immediately in the bottom of the eighth inning. Alex Lodise hit a solo home run. Zebrowski followed with his 19th home run of the season. Those back-to-back shots gave Columbus a 5-2 cushion. Still, Pensacola refused to fold in the ninth.
When Do the Blue Wahoos Southern League Playoffs Begin?
The Blue Wahoos Southern League playoffs begin on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Blue Wahoos Stadium in downtown Pensacola. The club will face the Biloxi Shuckers in Game 1 of the best-of-three Southern League South Division series. Furthermore, this playoff opener follows a season-ending homestand.
Before the postseason begins, Pensacola returns home to Escambia County. The team hosts Biloxi for a six-game regular-season series starting Tuesday, September 8. Therefore, the two divisional rivals will battle each other over two consecutive weeks on the bayfront.
What Is the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Playoff History?
This division title marks the eighth postseason berth in the 14-year history of the Pensacola franchise. In addition, it ends a short dry spell for local fans. The team last reached the Southern League playoffs in 2023. Pensacola now claims three postseason appearances in six years as the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
The franchise has enjoyed consistent success since its inaugural 2012 campaign on Pensacola Bay. Over the years, the club has developed dozens of future Major League players. Meanwhile, community support across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties continues to pack the waterfront venue throughout every summer.
Why it matters
Playoff baseball brings major economic activity and community pride to downtown Pensacola and surrounding areas like Gulf Breeze and Milton. For example, local restaurants, hotels, and small businesses benefit when postseason crowds gather near the bayfront. The dramatic win also gives Northwest Florida sports fans high-stakes baseball to rally around this September.
Sources
- https://www.milb.com/news/blue-wahoos-punch-ticket-to-playoffs-with-miracle-ninth-inning-comeback
- https://www.milb.com/columbus-clingstones/news/late-homer-avalanche-buries-columbus-in-7-5-loss-to-pensacola
- http://www.northescambia.com/2026/09/blue-wahoos-punch-ticket-to-playoffs-with-ninth-inning-comeback
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Related: Pensacola Navigates Major Road Projects, Summer Storms, and Growth Decisions Across Escambia County
See a typo? Report it here.
