Mobile BayBears Sweep Pensacola Blue Wahoos
June 3, 2015
Mobile BayBears second baseman Brandon Drury flared a single to center field for a, 2-1, walk-off victory over its rival Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
The BayBears took the first game of Tuesday’s doubleheader from Pensacola, too, holding on for a, 6-5, win at Hank Aaron Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos last played on Friday, May 29 — five days ago — after three consecutive rain outs. Those included the final two games on the road against the Mississippi Braves and Monday’s game against Mobile.
Pensacola appeared a little rusty, especially closer Kyle McMyne who gave up his first earned run since May 5 to earn the loss, 1-1. McMyne, who earned the Southern League’s BC Relief Pitcher of the Month for May, had gone 11.2 innings without an earned run and converted five of five saves, while his ERA plummeted from 1.46 to 0.76.
But with a, 1-1, tie on the line in the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader, Drury drove in a bases loaded, one out single for the game winner in the seventh inning. Southern League doubleheaders last just seven innings.
Mobile had tied the game in the sixth when first baseman Rudy Flores singled to left to score right fielder Zach Borenstein, who walked and stole second base.
In the top of the fourth inning Pensacola went up, 1-0, with two out when right fielder Kyle Waldrop doubled on a line drive to center field and then scored on a single by third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean.
In the first game, Pensacola scored five runs in the sixth inning but failed to overcome Mobile, losing, 6-5.
Mobile went ahead, 6-0, in the third inning when second baseman Gerson Montilla hit a grand slam to left center field, his seventh homer of the season.
In the sixth, Waldrop tripled to right to score first baseman Ray Chang, who singled to lead off the inning. Waldrop would cross the plate on a wild pitch by Mobile pitcher Aaron Blair to cut the lead, 6-2.
The Blue Wahoos then loaded the bases on walks to Mejias-Brean and catcher Cam Maron and a pinch single by Marquez Smith. Ryan Wright then had a pinch hit sacrifice fly to right field to score Mejias-Brean, which brought Pensacola within, 6-3. Left fielder Jesse Winker then smashed a two-out, bases loaded single to center that scored Smith and Maron and the Blue Wahoos trailed by one, 6-5. Pensacola went down in order in the top of the seventh to end the first game.
Lady Astros 18U Team Take Second In Weekend Tourney
June 3, 2015
The Molino Lady Astros 18U softball team took the runner-up spot in their first softball tournament of the summer last weekend.
On Saturday, the Lady Astros won one and lost won, before winning five straight games on Sunday for a chance to play for the tournament championship. Casey McCrackin, Hannah Brake, Ashley Allen and Kaley Workman each hit a home run.
In the final and championship game Sunday, the Lady Astros lost 2-1 for a second place finish.
“It was a great weekend for the team,” Coach Donnie Nicholson said. “Our pitching, offense and defense were great.”
Pictured: (front, L-R) Kaley Workman, Emily Loring, Savannah Colley, Breana Rogers, (back) Coach Donnie Nicholson, Shelby Willet, Dana Blackmon, Casey Mccrackin, Briana Morgan, Hannah Brake, Gracie Kilcrease , Ashley Allen and and Coach Pat Thomason. Not pictured are Tori Perkins, Laureen Brennan and Samantha Burks. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino 16U Wins All-Star Tournament
June 2, 2015
The Molino 16U All Stars won this weekend’s 2015 All Star Tournament at Tiger Point. After two wins Saturday, Molino earned a finals berth after a Sunday win. For the championship, they beat Myrtle Grove 6-0. Pictured: (front, L-R) Aubree Love, Tori Herrington, Ashley Ragsdale, Kayla Godwin, Siobaun English, (back) Coach David Snyder, Jasmine Crabtree, Mika King, Meredith Morgan, Ivy New, Kendall Enfinger, Katie Snyder and Coach Scott Herrington. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com by Creda Crabtree, click to enlarge.
Northview $162K Gym Renovation, Other Projects Begin; Parking Lot Closed
June 1, 2015
The Escambia County School Board has awarded a contract that will remodel and combine the boys and girls weight rooms inside the Northview High School gym into new facilities for female use. That gym and other construction projects are officially underway as of today, forcing the closure of the student parking lot.
The $161,750 contract was awarded to low bidder Birkshire Johnstone LLC, including a base bid of $145,00 plus add-ons of a smart projector, sound system and LED lighting. The next lowest bid came in at $199,000. The project is due to be completed before the start of school in August.
A new 3,500 square foot building including a weight room, locker room, coaches’ offices, storage and accompanying restrooms was recently completed on the campus for male use.
Because of the gym project, the student parking lot behind the gym is closed to all students and school personnel. The gym and theater are off limits to students for the summer.
Sidewalks and parking areas are also under construction in the athletic areas to the west of the main buildings, and HVAC upgrades are underway in the main building.
Pictured: Inside the new boys weight room at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Mississippi Braves, Blue Wahoos Rained Out
June 1, 2015
Sunday’s doubleheader between the Mississippi Braves and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos has been canceled due to inclement weather. The games will not be made up because the two teams do not meet again during the first half of the season.
Pensacola travels to take on the Mobile BayBears beginning Monday for a five game series. The Blue Wahoos return to play the Jacksonville Suns June 6-10.
Century’s Showalter Celebrates 400th Win With The Orioles
May 30, 2015
Former Century resident Buck Showalter celebrated his 400th win as manager of the Baltimore Orioles Friday night. The Orioles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 in Baltimore.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School for 23 years. Buck Showalter played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after him.
Pictured: Buck Showalter celebrated his 400th win as manager of the Baltimore Orioles Friday night. Photo courtesy Baltimore Orioles for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Braves Win Pitchers’ Duel Over Blue Wahoos
May 30, 2015
Friday night’s contest in Mississippi ended with a score of 1-0 as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (21-27) lost a pitching battle to the Mississippi Braves (26-21).
Wahoos starter Robert Stephenson pitched 7.0 scoreless innings with ten strikeouts while allowing only three hits and one walk in what was undoubtedly his best performance of the season. He was unable to earn the victory due another great effort from his counterpart, Jake Brigham (4-2). Brigham went 8.0 scoreless innings, allowing three hits, striking out five and walking no one.
Wahoos reliever Kevin Shackelford (0-3) earned the loss as he gave up the only run of the game in the bottom of the eighth. Braves reliever Tyler Jones earned his third save of the season, as he was able to get out of a jam in the top of the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos were led at the plate by shortstop Juan Perez, who went 3-3 with a triple to extend his hit streak to six games. Perez had three of the team’s five hits, with the others coming from Beau Amaral and Jesse Winker, both on singles in the ninth inning.
The first threat of a run came in the bottom of the fourth as Kevin Ahrens drew a two-out walk and Corban Joseph singled, reaching second on the throw. Stephenson, however, was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout of Rio Ruiz on a breaking pitch.
The Blue Wahoos posed a real threat to break the tie in the eight when Perez tripled with one out. Cam Maron was then called out on strikes, and pinch-hitter Ray Chang was robbed of an RBI when the third baseman Ruiz made a great stab on a hard-hit ball to end the frame.
Matt Lipka began the bottom of the eighth with an infield single and then moved to third on a single from Eric Garcia. Lipka would score on a fielder’s choice after contact from Mallex Smith to break the tie, as the throw from the infield was not in time.
Pensacola threatened to tie or potentially take the lead in the top half of the ninth as Beau Amaral led off the inning with a single to left field. After a Ryan Wright sacrifice bunt, Winker flared one into shallow left field to put runners at the corners with one out. Unfortunately for the Wahoos, a double play ended the game on the next at-bat.
Northview Chiefs Schedule Summer Baseball Camp
May 29, 2015
The Northview Chiefs have scheduled a Summer Baseball Camp .
The camp will be held June 1-4 and June 8-11 from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost is $150 for the two-week camp.
For more information and to register, click here.
Braves Beat The Wahoos
May 29, 2015
Mississippi Braves pitcher Tyrell Jenkins loaded the bases in the first two innings against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in Thursday’s game at Trustmark Park.
But the Atlanta Braves No. 9 prospect according to MLB.Pipeline.com got out of both jams by allowing just two runs and the Braves went on to win the game, 4-2, ending Pensacola’s two game winning streak.
Jenkins loaded the bases by walking the first three Blue Wahoos he faced. Seth Mejias-Brean singled with one out to right field to score Zach Vincej to put Pensacola ahead, 1-0.
In the second inning, he loaded them again on singles by Pensacola catcher Cam Maron and center fielder Beau Amaral and a walk.
However, Jenkins benefited from a double play on a sacrifice fly by Zach Vincej that scored Maron, putting Pensacola up, 2-0.
Mississippi scored all of four of its runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to improve Jenkins’ record to 4-2 on the year with a 3.00 ERA. The tall righty from Texas pitched five innings, allowing four hits, two runs, five walks and five strikeouts, including top Pensacola hitter Kyle Waldrop with the bases loaded in the first.
The Braves loaded the bases in the fifth and right fielder David Rohm drove in two with a one-out single to center, which tied the game 2-2. Then with two out, second baseman Corban Joseph doubled to left field to score two more and give Mississippi a 4-2 lead.
Amaral led the Blue Wahoos lineup, going 2-4 and is now 3-9 in the first two games of the five-game series with Mississippi with a run scored and his fifth stolen base of the year.
Pensacola fell to 21-26 on the year, while Mississippi improved to 25-21 in the Southern League South Division.
Ryan Wright pinch hit in the eighth inning and flied out to end his hitting streak at 10 games. Wright batted .326 (15-46) with eight RBIs and two doubles during his streak.
Mejias-Brean is hitting .361 (22-61) in the past 16 games after going 1-4, and knocking in his 20th run of the season.
Tate’s Perkins Named Florida’s 7A Player Of Year; Wyatt Coach Of Year
May 28, 2015
Tate High School’s Tori Perkins has been named the Class 7A softball player of the year, and Tate coach Melinda Wyatt has been named the 7A coach of the year by the Florida Dairy Farmers.
Perkins was a member of this year’s Class 7A state championship team. She has committed to the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
Wyatt coached that Class 7A state championship team. She had been at Tate for 11 years.
Pictured: Tori Perkins (L) shortly after Tate won the Class 7A softball championship, and Coach Melinda Wyatt (right) tosses a ceremonial first pitch for the Blue Wahoos Monday night. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.