Ellis Explodes in 10-4 Victory over Blue Wahoos on Tuesday

April 19, 2023 – Southern League (SL) – Birmingham Barons News Release

Heading into this game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Birmingham Barons and center-fielder Duke Ellis were on a downward skid. Birmingham scored 16 total runs in a six-game series with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, and Ellis had two hits on the season. However, in a 10-4 victory over the Blue Wahoos, all of those problems seemed to go away.

The Blue Wahoos struck first with a single that scored one run. Down early, the Barons were used to this feeling and were finally able to find a solution.

The solution started with pitching. The initial run was the only run allowed by right-handed starter Chase Solesky. Solesky found his rhythm, shutting out Pensacola in his final three innings. The Florida native would finish his night with 4.0 IP, one strikeout and only allowing the solo run.

With Solesky’s help from the bump, the Barons could focus on their plate appearances. The bats started to click in the third inning. After newcomer Ben Norman doubled in his debut at-bat, Ellis squared up a bunt and displayed his speed to beat the throw at first.

Two-on and no outs meant that the game was there for the taking. Especially, with the Barons No. 1 ranked OBP hitter third baseman Taylor Snyder, up to bat.

Snyder took the moment and sent a liner to centerfield, scoring Norman and Ellis in the process. The Barons, now with the lead in the top of the fourth inning, solidified the momentum shift with the final shutout inning from Solesky.

The Barons continued the scoring in the top of the fifth. Just like the fourth, Ellis was part of the jump start. This time, the speedster used his patience at the plate, finding a way to a five pitch walk with the bases loaded and sending in first-baseman Tyler Osik.

Birmingham did not stop the scoring there. The Barons tacked on a total of four runs in the fifth. Snyder, shortstop Moises Castillo and second-baseman Jose Rodriguez all earned an RBI in the inning.

Now with the five run cushion, Birmingham was not ready to take their foot off the gas. In the next two innings they would produce four more runs. Two of those runs came off a two-bagger from Ellis.

Ellis finished his night 2-for-2 from the plate with three RBIs, and two walks. Coming into today, the 25-year-old was battling a slump. Hopefully, today’s sparks prove that Duke is ready for Double-A ball.

Even though Ellis was the highlight from the plate, the bullpen did exactly what they were brought…