Jackson Beats The Pensacola Blue Wahoos
April 27, 2019
Since returning from the injured list following a quad strain, Jaylin Davis has been nearly unstoppable at the plate, raising his average on the season from .259 to .351, second best in the Southern League, with a torrid 13-30 stretch over the past seven games. After knocking three hits last night, including a go-ahead three-run home run in the tenth inning, Davis picked up where he’d left off in tonight’s game against the Jackson Generals, becoming the first Blue Wahoo to have four hits in a a game since Gabriel Guerrero did over a year ago in April 2018.
Unfortunately for Pensacola, Davis’ big night wasn’t enough to propel them to victory in a 12-7 loss to the Generals.
The Blue Wahoos continued their streak of early scoring, scoring first for the 17th time this season with two runs in the first and an additional run in the second inning. In the first, Tanner English drilled a one-out triple and came in to score on a double from Davis. Travis Blankenhorn, in his first Double-A at-bat, singled home Davis.
In the second, Mitchell Kranson extended Pensacola’s lead by singling home Drew Maggi, who had doubled.
The lead wasn’t safe, as Jackson scored three times in the home half of the third. After cruising through the first two innings and striking out four consecutive hitters, including K’ing the side in the second inning, Jorge Alcala ran into trouble in the third.
He walked the lead off batter in the inning and the allowed a double to Ryan Grotjohn. A balk brought home the first runner and an RBI single by Galli Cribbs Jr. cut Pensacola’s lead to 3-2. After a walk, Jamie Westbrook hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
The wheels came off for Alcala in the fourth, as he allowed the first four batters in the inning to reach base before being replaced by Tyler Jay. All four of Alcala’s runners scored in the inning, leaving him with a final line of 3.0 innings pitched, six hits, seven runs (six earned), three walks, and four strikeouts.
Jay threw 2.0 innings of relief, allowing two runs on one hit and two walks while Jackson took a 9-3 lead.
The Blue Wahoos offense didn’t quit despite the deficit. Drew Maggi reached on a hit by pitch in the sixth, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Luis Arraez.
An inning later, the Wahoos added another run, using a lead off double by Davis and RBI ground out by Caleb Hamilton to cut Jackson’s lead to 9-5.
The Wahoos scored twice in the eighth to make the ballgame tight. Arraez walked and English doubled to lead off the inning. A Kranson ground out scored Arraez and Davis plated English with a single, making it 9-7.
Jackson used three hits, two walks, and a fielding error to score three times in the home half of the eighth off reliever Sam Clay. and put the game out of reach, sailing to a 12-9 win with former Twins farmhand Michael Kohn’s league-leading fifth save of the season.
The loss drops Pensacola’s record to 15-7 while Jackson improves to 12-8 as the two team’s prepare for game three of their five-game series Saturday evening.
Tate Aggie Freshmen Finish Season Undefeated
April 26, 2019
The Tate Aggie Freshmen finished their season undefeated at 13-0-1. The team had a .378 team batting average and a team ERA of a 1.95. Pictured are (bottom row, L-R) Manager Dawson Guy, Tucker Griffin, Wiley Griffin, Chase Lombardo, Brent Vinson, Cam Larocca, Dagan Guy, Paul Whitson, (top row, L-R) Head Coach Robb Whitfield, Jaxson Stafford, Caleb Murph, Waren Henke, Kirk Mosley, Saxon Hill, Luke Gandy, Conner Wright, Josiah Glodfelter, Assistant Coach Brett Weeks. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lady Aggies Celebrate Senior Night With Win Over Gulf Shores
April 25, 2019
The Tate High Lady Aggies celebrate Senior Night Wednesday as they beat Gulf Shores 5-1. There are three seniors on this year’s team- Shelby McClean, Amber DeCoux and Gabby Locke.
Abbie Burks pitched the win for the Tate, allowing six hits and one run with striking out seven in seven innings. Hannah Halfacre led the Aggies at the plate with two hits.
Pictured top: Tate Lady Aggie seniors (L-R) Shelby McClean, Amber DeCoux and Gabby Locke. Pictured below: Tate Lady Aggie Senior Night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Fall To Escambia
April 25, 2019
The Tate Aggies fell to Escambia 4-3 Wednesday night.
Mason Land, Hunter McLean, Mcdowell, Bryant Orr, Cole Fryman and Chase Tolbert each had a hit for Tate.
Darrien McDowell went five innings, giving up four runs on two hits while striking out six. Jace Dunsford tossed two innings out of the bullpen.
Photos by Crystal Tolbert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Grzelakowski Delivers Walk-Off Winner In 1-0 Wahoos Victory Over Mobile
April 25, 2019
Taylor Grzelakowski entered tonight’s game scuffling through a 3-for-30 stretch at the plate and left the hero, delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to break a 0-0 tie and give the Blue Wahoos a 1-0 win over the Mobile BayBears.
For the second straight night, both team’s received excellent starting pitching. Griffin Jax took the ball for the Wahoos, entering the game with the best ERA in the league, and left with an even lower ERA. He threw 5.1 shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four and walking none, lowering his 0.54 ERA to 0.41.
Mobile countered with Adrian De Horta, who was even better, throwing 5.0 one-hit innings and striking out seven.
For all that has been written about the Blue Wahoos starting rotation’s success this season, their bullpen has been equally good, entering play tonight with a 1.59 ERA. Lefty Jovani Moran was the first out of the pen, relieving Jax with a runner on in the sixth. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings, striking out five.
With tonight’s performance, Moran now holds a 17.1 K/9 ratio, having struck out 19 batters in 10.0 innings.
Dusten Knight took over in the ninth inning and worked into and out of a jam, allowing a lead off single and walking a batter before stranding both runners.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Wahoos offense finally scored for the first time in two days. Caleb Hamilton led off the inning by drawing a walk from BayBears reliever Patrick Sandoval. Ernie De La Trinidad dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Hamilton to second. After a ground out for the second out, Grzelakowski stepped to the plate and pulled a ground ball single past a diving Jahmai Jones at second base, scoring Hamilton from second and giving the Blue Wahoos their first walk-off win of the season.
The win improves the Blue Wahoos’ record to 14-6 on the year, the best record in the Southern League. Pensacola will pack their bags and head to Jackson to take on the Generals (11-7) tomorrow in a match up of the first place team in the North and South Divisions.
Coin Toss: Jay Gets Top Seed In District Softball Tourney, Northview Second
April 24, 2019
The Jay Royals claimed the top seed in the upcoming district tournament Tuesday by winning a coin toss with Northview. The Chiefs are second seed.
The district tournament schedule is:
Game 1 – Monday, April 29
#5 Chipley vs. #4 Baker, 6 p.m. at Baker
Game 2 – Tuesday, April 30
#3 Freeport vs. #2 Northview, 5 p.m. at Jay
Game 3 – Tuesday, April 30
Winner of Game 1 vs. Jay, 7 p.m. at Jay
Game 4 – Thursday, May 2
Game 2 Winner vs. Game 3 Winner, 7 p.m. at Jay
Pictured: Northview at Jay on March 12. NorthEscambia.com photos.
Softball, Baseball: Northview, Tate, West Florida, Flomaton Finals
April 24, 2019
BASEBALL
Northview 16, Baker 4
The Northview Chiefs beat the Baker Gators 16-4 Tuesday night in Baker. For a photo gallery. click here.
Tate 7, Pace 4 (Freshmen)
The Tate Freshmen Aggies improved to 13-0-1 Tuesday afternoon as they defeated Pace 7-4. They end their season Thursday night at West Florida High School.
SOFTBALL
West Florida 4, Tate 3
The Tate Lady Aggies lost to West Florida 4-3 Tuesday night.
Avery Beauchanie took the loss for Lady Aggies, allowing seven hits and four runs over six innings, while striking out three.
For Tate: Amber Decoux 1-3, RBI; Hannah Halfacre 1-2; Ryleigh Cawby R; Cam Wolfenden R; Lilly Locke 1-3, 2RBI; Gabby Locke 1-3; Shelby McClean 1-3, R.
Tate 21, West Florida 0 (JV)
Courtney Lundquist threw a no-hitter Tuesday afternoon as the JV Tate Lady Aggies shut out West Florida 21-0 in three innings.
At the plate, Lundquist was 3-4 with four runs and three RBIs. Also for Tate: Courtney Adams 3-4, 3R, RBI; Kennedy Turner 1-3, 2R, 3RBI; Brianna Folmar 2-3, 3R, 2RBI; Ella Little 3-4, 2R, 4RBI; Alyssa Rowell 2-3, 2R, RBI; Sophia Jones 1-3, 2R, RBI; Aaliyah Jordan 2-3, 2R, RBI; Taylor Green 2-3, 2R, RBI.
Northview 9, Flomaton 2
The Northview Chiefs Lady Chiefs defeated the Flomaton Lady Hurricanes Tuesday night 9-2 in Flomaton.
Tori Herrington allowed four hits and struck out seven of 29 batters.
At the plate for Northview: Kaitlin Gafford 2-5, RBI; Neveah Brown 1-4, RBI; Herrington 1-4; Aubree Love 1-3, RBI; Kailyn Watson 2-4, RBI; Ashley Ragsdale 1-3, RBI; Valen Shelly 2-4, 2RBI; Kendall Enfinger 1-4, RBI; Heather Knowles 1-3. RBI.
Northview 18, Baker 2
In junior varsity softball, the Northview Chiefs defeated Baker at Baker 8-2 Tuesday afternoon.
Pictured: Northview beat Baker Tuesday night in Baker. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Blacked 1-0 By Mobile
April 24, 2019
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos received another brilliant pitching rotation from their staff, but weren’t able to provide any run support in a 1-0 loss to the Mobile BayBears.
Entering the game with the best ERA in the Southern League, Devin Smeltzer delivered his fourth strong start of the season, allowing just one run over 7.0 innings while striking out nine. The BayBears did their only damage in the third inning, using a two-out ground ball single by Connor Justus, a stolen base, and a single by Brandon Marsh to score the game’s only run.
With the lead, the Mobile pitching staff kept the Blue Wahoos batters out of rhythm throughout the night. Starter Jeremy Beasley threw 5.0 shutout innings to earn the win, striking out five and allowing just two hits. In relief, Joe Gatto tossed 2.2 scoreless and Dario Beltre earned the save by recording the game’s final four outs on strikeouts.
Offensively, Luis Arraez, Jaylin Davis, and Brian Navarreto split the Wahoos’ three hits evenly. Davis’ second inning infield single extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
With tonight’s one-run effort, the Blue Wahoos pitching staff now holds a 1.87 team ERA, the best in baseball at any level in the majors or minors.
The Blue Wahoos and BayBears will finish their five-game set at Blue Wahoos Stadium Wednesday evening.
Allstate Agent Scott Richards Presents $2,000 Donation To Tate QB Club
April 23, 2019
Cantonment Allstate agent Scott Richards (pictured right), presented a $2,000 donation Monday night to the Tate High School Quarterback Club. Accepting the donation is Aggie head coach Jay Lindsey. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Local High Schools Begin Spring Football Practice
April 23, 2019
Spring football practice opened Monday for high schools in Florida. It was the first day of preparations for spring jamborees and the path to the first game of fall.
The Tate Aggies will hold their annual Crimson and Gray game and a fish fry on May 10 and will host the Escambia Gators in a spring game on May 17. The 2019 season for the Tate Aggies begins with a Kickoff Classic at Pace on August 16 and the first game of the regular season will be at home against Pensacola High on August 23.
The Northview Chiefs will hold their Garnet and Gold Game on May 11 and spring game on Friday, May 17 at Escambia County High School in Atmore. The fall season begins August 16 with a Kickoff Classic at Baker, and the Chiefs will host Lighthouse Christian for the first game of the regular season on August 23.
Pictured: The first day of spring practice for the Northview Chiefs Monday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
