Wahoos Make The Playoffs
September 7, 2015
The Blue Wahoos celebrated its first postseason appearance since the franchise began in 2012 on Sunday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium by jumping up and down and spraying champagne and beer all over each other and their coaches.
Pensacola did its part by eliminating the Mobile BayBears, 15-2, Sunday in front of 4,949 fans. The team then came out of the locker room and watched the ninth inning between the Mississippi Braves and Jacksonville Suns on the field on the ballpark’s giant video board in center field. The Suns defeated the Braves, 7-3, to eliminate Mississippi on the next to last day of the 2015 season.
The Blue Wahoos, who are 38-31 and the South Division second half champs, ended the longest drought of missing the playoffs by a Southern League Major League affiliate. The Cincinnati Reds last Double-A team to make the playoffs was Chattanooga in 2006.
The playoff appearance is extra special to Pensacola utility player Ray Chang, who hit .375 in May and .329 in June to help propel the Blue Wahoos in the second half. In Sunday’s game, Chang was 3-4 with a run scored and two RBIs and hit a check swing blooper to centerfield to score Pensacola third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean to put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 6-2, after five innings.
“It’s amazing,” said a drenched Chang, who joined the team in 2013. “I’ve never gotten the chance before. It’s unbelievable. It’s everything they said it would be.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly ran out of the dugout into the center of his players, who were chanting “PK” and lavished him with beer. They did that to all their coaches and athletic trainer, celebrating each time with just as much energy.
Kelly said this playoff appearance is one of his most cherished in his more than three decades of managerial experience. He could hardly contain his excitement about the Blue Wahoos being one of the few teams in Southern League history to go from last place in the first half to first place in the second half.
Last year, last place Chattanooga went 26-44 and then 35-33 in the North Division to make the playoffs. This year, Pensacola was 25-43 in the first half.
“I think so when you consider how far we’ve come,” Kelly said. “We basically had the same guys. We didn’t have a big turnover at the half. We just seemed to find a way.”
Pensacola starter Cody Reed was celebrating a division victory for the third time. He played on first half winners in the Kansas City Royals organization with both High-A Wilmington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
On Sunday, Reed settled down after giving up two unearned runs to Mobile in the first inning. Reed, who was part of Cincinnati’s trade with the Kansas City Royals for ace Johnny Cueto, retired the final 13 batters he faced and 14 of 15, including five strikeouts. In six innings of work, Reed allowed three hits, gave up two unearned runs, walked two and struck out nine. He improved to 6-2 with a 2.17 ERA this year.
“I looked at Pensacola’s record and was like, ‘Man, we got to win some games,’” said Reed, who pitched in front of his family and his girlfriend’s family Sunday. “This is the third time I’m celebrating. That’s awesome!”
One of the biggest reasons for the Blue Wahoos turn around in the second half was outfielder Jesse Winker, the Cincinnati Reds top prospect.
Pensacola right fielder Jesse Winker went 3-4 with two walks and two runs scored to lift his average to .282 and now has 400 career minor league hits.
Winker ranks fourth in the Southern League with a .316 average since the All-Star break. He has got on base in 57 of 63 games in the second half and leads the league with a .426 on-base percentage. He also leads the Blue Wahoos in almost every major statistical category, including home runs (13), runs-batted in (55) and batting average (.282).
Winker said every player on the Blue Wahoos wanted to extend the team’s season into the playoffs. Winker played on the High-A Bakersfield Blaze team last season that won the first half.
“We want to get in, that’s for sure,” Winker said. “It’s been a tale of two halves. I know that’s a cliché statement. But that’s why everyone gets to come back after the break. Seventy games is a lot of games.”
Pensacola plays the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday and Friday at MGM Park. Biloxi then moves to Pensacola for Saturday and, if needed, will play Sunday and Monday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Shuckers, which won the first half despite playing its first 54 games on the road.
The winner of the South Division then plays either the Twins Double-A affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts or the Tampa Bay Devil Rays affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits.
In Sunday’s game, the Blue Wahoos scored a season-high eight runs on six hits in the eighth inning, including a grand slam by catcher Yovan Gonzalez. It also set a season season-high with 15 runs.
In addition, Pensacola surpassed 300,000 fans for the fourth straight season. It now has a total attendance of 300,861 with one game left to play on Labor Day.
Kelly could hardly contain his excitement about the Blue Wahoos knocking out Mobile.
“It’s terrific for me since we knocked Mobile out,” Kelly said. “The second half has been so much fun. I kept thinking this was going to come together.”
The game didn’t start well for Pensacola. Mobile jumped in front, 2-0, in the first inning when BayBears right fielder Gabriel Guerrero smashed a single up the middle to score center fielder Evan Marzilli and shortstop Jack Reinheimer.
But then, it was all Pensacola, which scored the next 15 runs.
Mobile starter Braden Shipley, the Arizona Diamondbacks No. 2 prospect, seemed to get rattled when Cincinnati Reds and National League steals leader Billy Hamilton led off the bottom of the first inning with a line drive single to center field. Shipley made four pick off attempts on Hamilton.
Hamilton, who is in Pensacola to recover from injuring his right shoulder, went 2-4, walked twice, scored three times and stole a base — his 52nd career steal in Double-A. He last played for Pensacola in 2012 when he set the minor league stolen base record with 155.
In that first inning, Pensacola left fielder Phillip Ervin then lined a two-run, game-tying double to left field that skipped by Mobile’s Socrates Brito. Blue Wahoos third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean then laced a line drive down the right field line to score Ervin and put Pensacola ahead, 3-2. Pensacola would never trail in the game again.
“This is good for (Hamilton),” Kelly said. “He’s had a tough year in Cincinnati. It’s probably a relief for him to come and actually have some meaningful games. He got on base seven times in two days and got a chance to show what he can do.”
Kelly added that Earvin’s two-run double was the turning point in the game.
“To come back and score three right away was huge,” Kelly said. “If we don’t score there, it might be a different story after that.”
Cantonment Youth Sports Hall Of Fame Members Inducted
September 6, 2015
The Cantonment Cowboys held an induction ceremony Saturday afternoon for their new Hall of Fame wall at the Cantonment Sportsplex on Well Line Road.
Gene Atkins, Morgan Fowler, Shaquille Purifoy, and Bud Norton were inducted onto the Hall of Fame.
Gene Atkins had a passion for coaching youth football and baseball. Atkins coached in both Atmore and Pensacola for over 45 years. He was widely known for his time working with youth in the 1960’s through 1980’s during his nearly 25 years living in Atmore.
Morgan Fowler was a cheerleader whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 12 from leukemia.
Shaquille Purifoy was known by his family, friends, coaches, teammates and others as the life of the party, the clown in the classroom, and the playmaker on the field. Shaq’s personality was larger than life. Many in the community considered him one of their own. He was a role model; one who set the example through his walk with the Lord which was evident in his everyday life. Shaq’s life was tragically cut short when he was shot while visiting his parents when home from college on June 14, 2014.
Bud Norton was a coach in the Escambia County area. He was a part of the Cantonment park in some capacity for more than 30 years, be it park president to having grand kids playing there. Bud is one reason why the park is still around today.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Remain In First With Two Games Remaining
September 6, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are in an exciting finish down to the wire for the second half South Division crown in the Southern League, and they have the added excitement with Billy Hamilton playing for them as he recovers from his right shoulder injury.
Pensacola lost Saturday night, 6-3, to the Mobile BayBears leaving two games left to play, but the sellout crowd of 5,038 got to watch in awe as Hamilton scored in the fifth inning from first base on a single, showing off his cheetah-like speed.
Hamilton beat the throw home even though he hesitated between second and third. Hamilton had reached first with a two-out single on a line drive to right field.
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly, who coached Hamilton in the Rookie League, said the center fielder is fun to watch.
“Scoring from first on a single is not too shabby either,” Kelly said. “Once he saw the play would be close, he out ran the ball to home, which you supposedly can’t do. He just adds to the excitement. Billy is extremely fun to watch.”
Hamilton, the Rookie of the Year finalist from the Cincinnati Reds last year, said he felt very welcome by the fans, many who watched him set the minor league record of 155 stolen bases in 2012 for Pensacola. He currently leads the National League with 54 before going on the DL on Aug. 19.
“There are great owners and great people who work here,” Hamilton said. “They made me feel good.”
Hamilton, who was 1-3 with a run scored and a walk, said he would do what he could to help Pensacola clinch the division, which they currently lead by a half game over the Mississippi Braves and one game over Mobile.
“I can tell they really want to win it,” Hamilton said. “It’s fun to play with guys like that. I told them just because I’m a big leaguer, don’t treat me that way. I told them, I’m one of you guys.”
Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino’s single to the right-center field gap in the fifth inning pulled Pensacola within, 6-2, on Hamilton’s safe slide home.
The Blue Wahoos added another run the seventh inning to come within, 6-3, when Blandino hit a ground rule double that knocked in shortstop Zach Vincej.
However, Mobile scored three times in the first inning with the BayBears second baseman Garrett Weber doubling in the right field corner to score shortstop Jack Reinheimer, who had walked. Mobile first baseman Rudy Flores then doubled in Weber. Finally, BayBears third baseman Sean Jamieson singled up the middle that Pensacola second baseman Zach Vincej stopped. He had Flores hung up between third and home but through the ball in the dirt to Blue Wahoos third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean and Flores scored to put Mobile up, 3-0.
Mobile led by as much as, 6-1, when Jamieson knocked in two more runs in the fifth inning on a double to the left center gap.
Pensacola, which secured its first winning record in a half since its first season in 2012, is now 37-31, while Mississippi fell to 36-31 with its loss Saturday. Mobile, which is trying to make the playoffs for the sixth straight year, improved to 35-31.
The North Division playoffs are already set with Twins Double-A affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts facing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits.
Pensacola is looking to make its first postseason appearance since its inaugural season in 2012 and end the longest drought of missing the playoffs by a Southern League Major League affiliate. The Cincinnati Reds last Double-A team to make the playoffs was Chattanooga in 2006.
The second half winner plays the Shuckers, which won the first half despite playing its first 54 games on the road, while Biloxi finished its new MGM Park by June 6.”
Kelly acknowledged that Pensacola has gone, 2-5, but still remains in first place. He thanked the last-place Jacksonville Suns for playing Mississippi tough.
“They’ve helped us out,” Kelly said. “We’re all competitors. Even last place teams need something to play for.”
Tate Beats West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
September 5, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies beat the West Florida Jaguars 17-3 Friday night at Woodham Middle School.
The West Florida Jaguars took an early 3-0 lead on a field goal. The Aggies regained the lead 7-3 on a quarterback keeper from Sawyer Smith.
Tate expanded their advantage to 14-3 on an 80-yard touchdown run from Alondo Thompkins. The Aggies held that 14-3 lead headed into halftime and came back with a field goal to win 17-3.
Thompkins racked up 134 yards for the Aggies.
For photo gallery, click here.
The Tate Aggies are off next week and will host Pensacola High School at 7:30 p.m. on September 18 for homecoming.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
High School Football Score Roundup
September 5, 2015
Here is a look at Friday night’s high school football scores from across the area:
FLORIDA
Tate 17, West Florida 3 [Read more, photos...]
Resurrection Catholic 12, Jay 0 [Read more, photos...]
Choctaw 31, Pine Forest 28
Pensacola 40, Pace 10
Escambia 28, Niceville 24
Navarre 42, Washington, 0
Catholic 41, Gulf Breeze 24
Milton 27, Champagnat Catholic 20
Northview — OPEN
ALABAMA
Washington Co. 27, Flomaton 12
Vigor 43, Atmore 0
T.R. Miller 7, Bayside Academy 0
W.S. Neal 15, Clarke Co. 0
Escambia Academy 49, Lancaster Christian (Smyrna, TN) 8
Northwest Escambia Opens Season Today At Home
September 5, 2015
The season is underway for the Northwest Escambia Chiefs Youth and Football program.
Today, the NWE youth program will host W.S. Neal at Northview High School. The complete season schedule is below:
The first game will start on time; the following game times each day are approximate.
* Homecoming ** Division Game
Mississippi’s Top 1A Team Defeats The Jay Royals (With Gallery)
September 5, 2015
The Jay Royals were defeated 12-0 by Resurrection Catholic Friday night at Merle V. North Stadium in Jay.
Resurrection Catholic is the top ranked 1A team in Mississippi.
Jay (0-2) will next host Wewahitchka Friday at 7 p.m.
Photos by Michele Gibbs for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scores
September 5, 2015
Here is a look at Friday night’s high school football scores from across the area:
FLORIDA
Tate 17, West Florida 3 [Read more, photos...]
Resurrection Catholic 12, Jay 0 [Read more, photos...]
Choctaw 31, Pine Forest 28
Pensacola 40, Pace 10
Escambia 28, Niceville 24
Navarre 42, Washington, 0
Catholic 41, Gulf Breeze 24
Milton 27, Champagnat Catholic 20
Northview — OFF
ALABAMA
Washington Co. 27, Flomaton 12
Vigor 43, Atmore 0
T.R. Miller 7, Bayside Academy 0
W.S. Neal 15, Clarke Co. 0
Escambia Academy 49, Lancaster Christian (Smyrna, TN) 8
Volleyball: Baker Defeats Northview
September 4, 2015
The Baker Gators defeated the Northview Chiefs in high school volleyball action Thursday in Bratt.
JV
Baker def. Northview 2-0
4-25, 7-25
Varsity
Baker def. Northview 3-0
11-25, 8-25, 14-25
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Amerson, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Maintain Divison Lead Despite Loss
September 4, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos struggles against perennial Southern League contender the Mobile BayBears continued Thursday.
Mobile, just an hour west of Pensacola, is now, 12-4, this season against the Blue Wahoos and 51-32 since the Cincinnati Reds Double-A affiliate was established in 2012.
Pensacola managed three hits in a shutout loss, 3-0, against Mobile in front of 4,572 Thursday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Blue Wahoos right fielder Juan Duran, who had two of Pensacola’s three hits on two infield singles, launched a fly ball to dead center with two outs and the bases loaded in the eighth inning but Mobile center fielder Evan Marzilli hauled it in with his back to the wall.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said he knew Duran didn’t get all of the ball to drive it 400-feet over the center field wall.
“I knew he missed it,” Kelly said. “But he’s so strong he can miss balls and still hit home runs. It did go 395 feet.”
Pensacola is on a 1-4 slide in its last five games against the Jackson Generals and Mobile, but it has been lucky to stay on top of the Southern League South Division. The Atlanta Braves Double-A affiliate the Mississippi Braves lost to the Jacksonville Suns on a walk off three-run home run in the 10th inning and fell to 35-30. Meanwhile, the Blue Wahoos also lost but dropped to 36-30 to remain a half-game ahead in the second half of the season.
Kelly said Pensacola was snake-bitten Thursday night, especially after Duran’s smash down the third base line in the second inning hit the umpire and bounced into Mobile third baseman Raul Navarro’s mitt in the second inning. Duran singled but the odd play seemed to rob Duran of a sure double.
Duran then threw a strike on a hit-and-run play from right field in the fourth inning that looked like it beat Mobile left fielder Socrates Brito to third base. However, according to Kelly who ran on to the field to argue the play, the third base umpire said Blue Wahoos third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean tagged the runner high.
Mobile ended up scoring three runs in the fourth with Brito and second baseman Garrett Weber hitting back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Pensacola starter Daniel Wright then walked right fielder Gabriel Guerrero and threw seven straight balls.
Mark Thomas, batting .163, came to the plate with one out and clobbered a double over Pensacola center fielder Beau Amaral’s head into the left-center alley to clear the bases and Mobile was ahead, 3-0.
“Everyone in the ballpark, including the runner, knew he was out,” Kelly said about the play at third on Brito.
Mobile, which has had six players from its 2015 team make their Major League debut this year with the Arizona Diamondbacks, got a strong outing from new pitcher Matt Koch, who earned his first win. He was making his first start for Mobile after a trade earlier this month between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Mets. He allowed two hits in 7.1 innings, walked four and tied his season-high with six strikeouts.
After Duran’s smash in the second inning, Koch settled down and retired the next 16 of 17 batters through the seventh inning. Koch allowed a runner to second base twice — once when Pensacola catcher Kyle Skipworth reached the bag in the fifth inning and again in the seventh inning when Duran earned an infield single up the middle.
Kelly only had praise for Koch’s slider and cutter.
“We knew he had good stuff,” Kelly said. “It’s hard when you haven’t seen the guy before.”
Pensacola is looking to make its first postseason appearance since its inaugural season in 2012 and end the longest drought of missing the playoffs by a Southern League Major League affiliate. The Cincinnati Reds last Double-A team to make the playoffs was Chattanooga in 2006.
“It’s one of five games,” Kelly said. “It tightens things up. It still comes down to winning this series. If we can win this series, they can’t catch us.”