May 13, 2021
Jerar Encarnacion took full advantage.
Encarnacion went opposite field with a sixth-inning pitch that just had enough pop to clear a leaping right fielder for a 3-run homer, which carried the Blue Wahoos to a 4-1 victory Wednesday against the Birmingham Barons.
That blast, along with former No. 1 pick J.J. Bleday’s first professional homer, provided the run support needed to accompany another impressive pitching performance from fellow Vanderbilt star Jake Eder.
“Fortunately it was blowing out,” said Bleday, the fourth overall pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft by the Miami Marlins. “When we were hitting balls off the machine, the ball was flying and we weren’t sure that was going to carry over in the game, so that definitely helped in our favor tonight.”