Wahaoos Start Final Series Atop Division
September 2, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost the rubber match Tuesday to the Jackson Generals but it didn’t matter because the Mississippi Braves did the same against the Biloxi Shuckers.
That means that with its final home stand starting Monday against its rival Mobile BayBears, Pensacola remains a half game ahead of Mississippi and controls its own destiny – the chance to become the first Cincinnati Reds Double-A team to make the playoffs since Chattanooga in 2006.
Despite scoring five runs in the second inning, including a two-run homer by Blue Wahoos shortstop Alex Blandino, Pensacola lost the five-game series to Jackson, 3-2, with an 8-7 loss at The Ballpark in Jackson.
Pensacola finished 7-8 overall against Jackson this season, despite the Generals owning last place in the Southern League North Division in both halves with a 50-82 overall record.
Pensacola and Mississippi are battling for the South Division postseason spot. The Blue Wahoos are 36-29 in the second half of the Southern League season. However, it remains a half game ahead of Mississippi, which lost to Biloxi, 5-4, Tuesday to fall to 35-29.
Jackson scored two runs in the first when first baseman Jody Lara doubled to drive in a run and catcher Tyler Marlette singled to score another run.
However, that’s when Pensacola had a five-run inning in the second to go ahead, 5-2. Designated hitter Juan Duran started the inning with a leadoff single, followed by a single by first baseman Seth Mejias-Brean and then catcher Kyle Skipworth doubled them both in on a double to left field that knotted the score, 2-2. Blue Wahoos second baseman Ray Chang then doubled to score Skipworth for a 3-2 lead. That’s when Blandino crushed a one-out, two-run homer to centerfield and Pensacola went ahead, 5-2.
Jackson, trailing, 5-3, came back with its own five-run inning in the fourth inning to go ahead, 8-5. The big hit in the inning for the Braves was Jabari Henry’s triple that drove in two runs.
Pensacola scored a run in the fifth when Mejias-Brean singled in Phillip Ervin and another in the seventh when the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases and right fielder Jesse Winker scored from third on a walk to Chang. However, 8-7 was the closest the Blue Wahoos could get against Jackson.
Wahoos Stay In First With Win Over Jackson
September 1, 2015
Juan Duran tripled and Seth Mejias-Brean singled him in as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos evened its five-game series with the Jackson Generals and, more importantly, helped them stay in first place in the South Division in the second half of the Southern League season.
One run in the sixth inning was all Pensacola needed to eke out an all-important victory, 1-0, Monday at The Ballpark in Jackson.
Blue Wahoos pitcher Cody Reed held Jackson scoreless through eight innings, giving up just four hits and striking out eight. Reed improved to 5-2 on the year with a 2.53 ERA.
Pensacola closer Zach Weiss entered in the ninth to extend his team record 25th save of the season by striking out the side. It was the fifth time since July 31 that he’s struck out all three batters in an inning.
Their pitching is what kept Pensacola’s drive for its first playoff in franchise history alive with six games left in the season. It would also help the Blue Wahoos become the first Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate since Chattanooga in 2006 to play in the postseason.
Pensacola, which took the opener in the five-game series, is now 7-7 overall against Jackson this season.
Pensacola and Mississippi are battling for the postseason spot. The Blue Wahoos improved to 36-28 in the second half and remain a half game ahead of Mississippi, which defeated Biloxi, 3-0, Monday to improve to 35-28.
Both Duran, the DH, and third baseman Mejias-Brean went 2-4. Duran had a triple and scored a run, while Mejias-Brean doubled and batted in Duran for 46 RBIs this year.
Meanwhile, Pensacola right fielder Jesse Winker’s went 0-2 Monday and the Reds top prospect hit in 20 of his 27 games this month for a .344 average (32-93) in August.
Wahoos In Battle For South Division Crown
August 31, 2015
Pensacola is battling to become the first Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate to make the playoffs since 2006.
But Jackson, which has sunk to last place in the Southern League’s North Division in both the first and second half, isn’t making it easy. The Generals won its second straight game over the Blue Wahoos, 8-2, Sunday at The Ballpark in Jackson.
Pensacola, which took the opener in the five-game series, is now 6-7 overall against Jackson this season.
Blue Wahoos starter Tim Adleman, who led the Southern League with a 2.12 ERA entering the game, had a rare bad outing. He gave up six earned runs in 4.1 innings, falling to 9-9 this season with a 2.43 ERA.
The Pensacola right-hander was done in almost singlehandedly by Jackson second baseman Tyler Bortnick, who hit a solo shot in the first inning. He then smacked a grand slam off Adleman in the Generals’ five-run fifth inning that put Jackson up, 6-0. Bortnick last went yard on Aug. 22, 2013.
The Generals added two more runs in the eighth inning to go ahead, 8-0, before Pensacola finally scored.
The Blue Wahoos scored one run in the eighth inning with two out when second baseman Zach Vincej doubled and shortstop Alex Blandino singled him in. Pensacola right fielder Duran then crushed a solo homer to left center field in the ninth, his sixth dinger this season and second in four days. Duran currently has 42 RBIs on the season.
After failing to post a winning half since the team started in 2012, Pensacola is battling Mississippi for a postseason spot. The Blue Wahoos dropped to 35-28 in the second half of the Southern League South Division race.
Meanwhile, Mississippi, which is 34-27, was playing Biloxi Sunday night. If the Braves win, they would go up a half game. If not, they would remain a half game behind the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos are looking to become the first Reds Double-A affiliate to advance to the playoffs since Chattanooga in 2006 — the longest drought of any Southern League affiliate. Chattanooga lost to Huntsville in the first round.
Pensacola right fielder Jesse Winker’s six-game hitting streak was snapped with a 0-4 day. Winker, the Reds top prospect, has hit in 20 of his 26 games this month and is batting .352 (32-91) in August.
Marquez Smith was 2-4 — the only Blue Wahoo to have a multi-hit game Sunday — and raised his season average to .270 with Pensacola.
Put A Ring On It: Tate’s State Champion Softball Team Receives Rings
August 30, 2015
The Tate Lady Aggies won the Class 7A softball state championship last spring, and they were back in the spotlight Friday night as they received their state championship rings from Principal Rick Shackle and Escambia School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Photos by Jennifer Repine for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Lose To Jackson
August 30, 2015
Pensacola managed three hits Saturday and dropped the second game of the five-game series against Jackson, 4-0, at The Ballpark in Jackson.
After five Blue Wahoos recorded multi-hit games and the club pounded out 11 hits in the opener, the General’s Misael Siverio gave up a season-best one hit in six innings of work and struck out five to improve to 5-11 on the year.
The Pensacola loss and Mississippi victory means the Blue Wahoos lead over the Braves fell to half a game in the South Division with eight to play. Pensacola moved to 35-27 in the second half of the Southern League, while Mississippi improved to 34-27.
The Blue Wahoos are trying to make the postseason for the first time since the team began in 2012. It would be the first time a Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate has been in the playoffs since Chattanooga in 2006 — the longest drought of any Southern League affiliate. Chattanooga lost to Huntsville in the first round.
In the eighth inning, Jackson added an insurance run to go up, 4-0, when first baseman John Lara singled to left field to score DH Guillermo Pimental from third.
Generals left fielder Jabari Henry hit a two-run homer, his ninth of the season, to left center field in the fifth inning that put Jackson ahead, 3-0.
Jackson got its first run in the fourth when Lara doubled in shortstop Tyler Smith.
After four bad starts in a row in which he failed to pitch five innings, Pensacola starter Sal Romano had a strong outing, allowing five hits in six innings, walking one and striking out two. Part of the problem was he had walked 10 batters in 12 innings. However, Romano earned the loss against Jackson and is 0-4 since moving up to Double-A Pensacola.
Pensacola right fielder Jesse Winker went 1-4, hitting safely in six straight games. But he got tossed from the game in his last at bat arguing a strike out call. Winker has hit in 20 of his 25 games this month and is batting .368 (32-87) in August and .313 in the second half.
The Blue Wahoos two other hits came when third baseman Mejias-Brean doubled in two at bats and second baseman Ryan Wright, who was 1-4, singled in the ninth inning.
Friday Night Football Finals
August 29, 2015
Here is a look at final scores from Friday night’s high school football games:
FLORIDA
- Crestview 47, Northview 20 [More...]
- Tate 38, Biloxi 7 [More...]
- Flomaton 55, Jay 26 [More...]
- Escambia 16, West Florida 7
- Choctaw 48, Gulf Breeze 32
- Navarre 57, Catholic 14
- Milton 20, Washington 14 OT
- Pine Forest 41, PHS 30
- Pace 49, Fort Walton 28
- Baker 26, Holmes County 14
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 55, Jay 26 [More...]
- W.S. Neal 42. Escambia County (Atmore) 14
- T.R. Miller 17, Tallassee 14
- Autauga Academy 28, Escambia Academy 18
Tate Opens Season With New Coach, Big Win Over Biloxi
August 29, 2015
New Tate High School football coach Jay Lindsey opened his career with the Aggies with a big 38-7 win over Biloxi.
The Aggies took the lead at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment with 9:41 on the clock in the first on a 33-yard pass from Sawyer Smith to Reginald Payne. With a good kick from Evan Legassey, the Aggies were up 7-0. The Aggies struck again on a 24-yard run from Jack Henry with 6:47 to go in the first quarter. Then, with 2:46 to go in the first, Tate scored on a 2-yard quarterback keeper from Smith, 21-0. By halftime, the Aggies were up 24-0 with a second quarter 37-yard field goal from Legassey.
With 1:32 to go in the third, Alondo Thompkins added a 58-yard touchdown run.
The Tate Aggies will be at West Florida High next Friday night at 7:00.
Look for an upcoming gallery with more photos on NorthEscambia.com.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Jennifer Repine, click to enlarge.
6A Bulldogs Top The 1A Northview Chiefs
August 29, 2015
The 6A Crestview Bulldogs defeated the 1A Northview Chiefs 47-20 Friday night in Crestview.
Luke Ward added the first points on the night for the Chiefs on a 23-yard touchdown run. He scored again on an 80-yard run and on a 47-yard pass from quarterback Gavin Grant.
The Chiefs will sit out next Friday night as their only open date of the season. On September 11, the Northview Chiefs will host the 6A Gulf Breeze Dolphins at Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt.
Look for an upcoming photo gallery with more pictures.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Tops Jay
August 29, 2015
In their second week of play, the Flomaton Hurricanes spoiled the regular season opener for the Jay Royals 55-26 Friday night in Flomaton.
At the end of the first quarter, the Canes and Royals were tied at 13-13, but the Canes took the lead to never look back.
Flomaton (2-0) will travel to Chatom, AL, next Friday night to take on Washington County, while the Royals will host Resurrection Catholic from Pascagoula, MS.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Michele Gibbs, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Generals
August 29, 2015
Pensacola right-hander Daniel Wright blanked Jackson on one hit through eight innings and the Blue Wahoos stayed on top of the South Division with nine game left in the season.
Wright end up lasting a season-high 8.1 innings and gave up one run on three hits as Pensacola defeated the Generals, 7-1, in the series opener Friday at The Ballpark at Jackson. Wright’s record improved to 10-10 with a 4.50 ERA this year.
Pensacola moved to 35-26 in the second half of the Southern League and remained in sole possession of first place 1.5 games ahead of Mississippi with nine games to play. The Braves also defeated Biloxi, 7-1, to move to 33-27.
Pensacola left fielder Jesse Winker was 2-4 with a double and two RBIs. He has hit in 19 of his 24 games this month. He is hitting .373 (31-83) in August and .316 in the second half.
The Cincinnati Reds top prospect currently holds the Pensacola Triple Crown, leading the team with 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .280 batting average.
Pensacola, which smacked 11 hits in the game, had four other players with multi-hit games, including shortstop Alex Blandino (2-5 with one RBI), center fielder Beau Amaral (2-4, two runs scored, one RBI), DH Juan Duran (2-5 with a run scored), and third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean (2-5 with a run scored).