Biscuits Take Second Straight Over Pensacola
August 24, 2014
After spending the past two seasons pitching for the Low-A Dayton Dragons, Joel Bender finally got the call to start for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
The 23-year-old prospect from Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati and a lifelong Reds fan made the most of it.
Bender gave the Wahoos four strong innings, but the Montgomery Biscuits rallied to win a second straight gave over Pensacola, 8-6, Saturday in front of a sellout 5,038 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Bender left early with a blister on the tip of the middle finger of his throwing hand. He worked four innings allowing two runs on three hits and struck out three.
“It was very frustrating,” Bender said. “I wanted to compete and stay in the game but it was a close game. I’ve been waiting a long time to do this.”
He might have gotten out ot the game allowing no runs but a high fly ball by Montgomery’s Taylor Motter was misplayed by Wahoos centerfield Brodie Greene. He lost track of the ball, twisted around and fell behind him near the warning track for a double.
Pensacola Manager Delino DeShields said Bender showed good command of his fastball, curveball and change up.
“His command was impressive,” DeShields said. “He wasn’t overwhelmed a bit. He was confident and executed his pitches.”
Bender, who was drafted in the 27th round by Cincinnati in 2010, arrived in Pensacola Saturday morning to help the Wahoos who were desperate for a starter when its winningest pitcher Daniel Corcino, who had 10 wins, was tabbed Thursday night for the first time to play for the parent club Cincinnati Reds.
At Dayton, the left-handed Bender compiled a 6-3 record and two saves in 43 appearances that included one start. Bender has come on late this season. He’s only allowed three runs in 17.2 innings over his last eight appearances. His longest outing was his last when he pitched 5 innings, allowed one run on three hits, and struck out a season-high nine batters.
Bender had played with a lot of the Wahoos staff in Dayton and spring training, including Robert Stephenson and Michael Lorenzen.
“Words can’t tell you how good it feels to get this opportunity,” Bender said. “It’s an honor to be in the rotation with them.”
Designated hitter Kyle Waldrop kept Pensacola in the game early knocking in Yorman Rodriguez in the first and third innings on a single and double, and knocking in Devin Lohman on a single in the fifth inning that tied the score at 3.
However, the Biscuits sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the ninth and had four singles and a double to add four runs to go ahead, 8-3.
The third game of the five-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays Double-A affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits gets underway two hours later than normal at 6 p.m. Sunday. RHP Ben Lively (2-6, 3.63) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Biscuits RHP Albert Suarez (3-4, 3.57).
Chiefs Warm Up For Orlando With Scrimmage Game (Photos)
August 23, 2014
It’s been a couple of years since 1,600 plus North Escambia residents hit the road for Orlando’s Citrus Bowl to watch their beloved Northview Chiefs win a state championship. Last year, the road trips ended in Cottondale with an agonizing regional level loss.
This year, if Coach Sid Wheatley gets his way, Northview fans are going to need to start saving up gas money for Orlando.
The Chiefs held a Garnet and Gold scrimmage game on a very hot Friday night. The Garnet team — coached by Wheatley, Gary Mattes and Logan Weber — won 12-8 over the Gold team — coached by Derek Marshman and Glenn Weber.
“I thought we played hard,” Wheatley said, noting that it’s really hard to evaluate your full team when they are split….We’ve got to be better blockers, better tacklers; we’ve got to get better fundamentally wise.”
The Chiefs will open their regular season on the road at Deane Bozeman School in Panama City. As for earning that Orlando trip, Northview won’t face a district opponent until they host Jay for the Chiefs homecoming on October 3.
For a photo gallery, click here. (Cheerleader, band, dance team and NJROTC photos will be published Sunday.)
Pictured top: Senior Keondrae Lett (#2) avoids a tackle by Chasen Freeman. Pictured inset: Sophomore Jacob Weaver barely misses a pass. Pictured below: Camron Newsom (#22) gains yardage for the Gold team. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Preseason Volleyball Tournament At Northview
August 22, 2014
Five schools took part in a volleyball preseason classic Thursday at Northview High School with Laurel Hill taking first place.
Play included seniors from Northview, Laurel Hill, Central, Jay and Pensacola Christian Academy high schools in a dual court format.
Scores were as follows:
PCA vs Central
22-25, 26-24, 15-11
NHS vs Laurel Hill
11-25, 24-26
Jay vs PCA
25-16, 24-26, 15-9
Laurel hill vs Central
24-16, 17-25, 15-8
Laurel Hill vs Jay
26-24, 25-17
The Chiefs will begin their regular season on the road at Holmes County on August 28, with their first home game set for September 2 against Baldwin County High School.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Takes Series Final 7-6 Over Jacksonville
August 22, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (24-36, 55-75) took the series finale, 7-6, over the Jacksonville Suns (35-25, 71-59) at the Baseball Grounds in Jacksonville. With the victory, the Wahoos went 10-20 in 2014 against the Suns.
The Blue Wahoos got on the board early with a two-out RBI single from Travis Mattair in the top of the first. The Suns responded with three first inning runs off Wahoos’ starter Michael Lorenzen. The Wahoos did one better in the next half inning, scoring four runs in the top of the second. Yorman Rodriguez continued his stellar series with a two-RBI double. He came home on a Kyle Waldrop single and Mattair gave the Wahoos a 5-1 lead on an RBI groundout.
Lorenzen helped his own cause with a two-out RBI single as the Wahoos stretched their lead to three runs in the third inning. Lorenzen gave up 3 R/2ER and lasted 3.0 innings. The Suns chipped away at the lead in the fifth off RHP Drew Hayes, who allowed 2 R/ER on three hits over 2.0 innings. Again, the Wahoos responded as Rodriguez notched his third RBI of the night on a sacrifice fly.
The Suns cut the lead to just one run in the seventh and it was RHP Shane Dyer who came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth. Dyer induced a game ending double play off the bat of Viosergy Rosa to finish off the Suns. It was Dyer’s 18th save of the season, which is a new Blue Wahoos’ team record. Trevor Bell previously held the record with 17 saves in 2013.
Hayes ended up with the win for the Wahoos and Suns’ starter Trevor Williams fell for the first time in 2014.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Friday for their final home series of the season. RHP Daniel Corcino (10-11, 4.13) is set to start the series opener for the Wahoos. RHP Mike Colla (7-12, 4.60) gets the nod for the Montgomery Biscuits.
by Joey Truncale
Power Boat Stops In Cantonment In Advance Of Saturday Grand Prix
August 21, 2014
The Stihl offshore racing boat US-1 was on display Wednesday at A-1 Small Engines in Cantonment in advance of this weekend’s 1st Annual Pensacola Grand Prix Sunday on Pensacola Bay.
Sunday’s races will start at 1 p.m. and 2 pm. with Plaza de Luna and Maritime Park designated as prime viewing areas. For more info, click here.
During Wednesday’s Stihl US-1 visit to Cantonment, A-1 Small Engines held a couple of giveaways — Brad Early won a Stihl blower, and Tim Bragg won a 25 quart Engel cooler.
Pictured: The Stihl offshore racing boat US-1 at A-1 Small Engines in Cantonment Wednesday. Photos courtesy April Conatser for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suns OutSlug The Wahoos
August 21, 2014
The Jacksonville Suns scored eight runs over the first four innings to knock Blue Wahoos starter Robert Stephenson (L, 6-9) from the game on their way to a 10-6 win on Wednesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The Blue Wahoos had the bats going again with two more home runs after blasting a team-record five on Tuesday night. Yorman Rodriguez had the first with a two-run homer in the second. Travis Mattair matched his 2013 home run total with his 13th round-tripper in the fifth.
Kyle Waldrop had a nice night offensively with an RBI double in the first inning for Pensacola’s first run. He added a single later in the game for a 2-for-5 night. Pensacola also got some production from catcher Yovan Gonzalez. He collected his first hit since joining the Wahoos with a single in the second inning. He later doubled and scored in the eighth inning as part of a 2-for-4 night.
Stephenson struggled on the mound in his start. The hard throwing right-hander was charged with 8 R/7 ER on six hits over 4.0 innings. He walked two and struck out five. He ended up with the loss. Pensacola knocked around Jacksonville’s starter Justin Nicolino (W, 12-4). He allowed 5 R/ER on nine hits over 5.0 innings with just three strikeouts. It was the first time he had allowed as many as five earned runs since Pensacola scored five against him on May 19. Despite his struggles, the Suns lefty still picked up the win.
With the win, Jacksonville will hold on to a share of the lead in the South Division and they lock up the series win.
Pensacola will try to end the season series with the Suns on a high note Thursday night. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-6, 3.01) will start for the Blue Wahoos against an unannounced starter for Jacksonville. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT from Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Blast Past Suns 8-4
August 20, 2014
Kyle Waldrop’s first-inning two-run home run was a sign of things to come for the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night. It was the first of a team-record five Pensacola home runs in an 8-4 win over Jacksonville at the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
Waldrop hit a solo home run later in the game for his second of the contest. Wahoos starting pitcher Ben Lively got in on the act with a lead-off homer in the fifth. Leading just 5-4 in the ninth, the Wahoos belted two more round-trippers. Yorman Rodriguez led the inning off with a solo shot before Travis Mattair capped a 3-for-3 night with a two-run shot to put the game away.
Lively (W, 2-6) was solid again on the mound in his start. He battled through 6.0 innings allowing 3 R/ER on eight hits with just one walk and six strikeouts. It marked his fourth straight start allowing just one walk. He didn’t walk fewer than three in his first seven starts with Pensacola.
Lively was helped out by a stellar defensive play by Bryson Smith in fourth inning. Smith robbed what would have been a go-ahead three-run home run from Isaac Galloway. He leaped and reached over the five-foot wall in right field to make a game-saving catch, which kept the Wahoos in front.
The Suns threatened again and pulled within a run in the eighth inning before Shane Dyer (S, 17) came in to get the final four outs and earn the save for the Wahoos.
Suns starter Chipper Smith (L, 3-4) left the game with an apparent injury after facing just four batters and getting only one out. His injury hasn’t been released. Smith ended up getting hit with the loss after giving up 2 R/ER in 0.1 innings. The Blue Wahoos scored 3 R/ER off James Nygren in his 4.1 innings. They also scored 3 R/ER off Matt Ramsey in his 1.2 innings out of the bullpen.
Pensacola can even the series with a win on Wednesday night as the Blue Wahoos try to spoil the Suns postseason plans. The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (6-8, 4.48) to the mound against Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (11-4, 2.85). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. CT from Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Squander Lead Late, Fall 6-5 To Jacksonville
August 19, 2014
The Wahoos took a 5-2 lead into the eighth inning, but Jacksonville scored four times against Blue Wahoos reliever Ben Klimesh (L, 1-1) on their way to a 6-5 win Monday night at the Baseball Ground of Jacksonville.
Pensacola was helped by a 4-for-5 night from Yorman Rodriguez at the plate to take a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh, but the resilient Suns, battling for the top spot of the Southern League South, rallied for a run in the seventh and four in the eighth. Rodriguez hit a mammoth two-run home run in the seventh to cap the Wahoos scoring before Jacksonville rallied.
The comeback spoiled a great spot start from Wahoos right-hander Tim Adleman. After pitching two innings on Saturday, Adleman worked 5.0 shutout innings against the Suns allowing just four hits and adding three strikeouts. He ended up with a no-decision. Klimesh suffered his first loss for the Wahoos allowing the four go-ahead runs in his only inning of work. He walked two and allowed four hits in the eighth.
The Suns got two solid innings in relief from Collin Cargil (W, 4-1). He struck out two and didn’t allow any walks, hits or runs on his way to the win. Nick Wittgren (S, 18) shut the door on Pensacola with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
The Blue Wahoos have dropped three straight, but continue to try to spoil the Suns postseason hopes on Tuesday night. Gulf Breeze native RHP Ben Lively (1-6, 3.54) will start for Pensacola against Suns LHP Chipper Smith (3-3, 4.02). First pitch is schedule for 5:05 p.m. CT.
Wahoos Shut Out 4-0 In Series Opener
August 18, 2014
Despite a strong start from Daniel Corcino, the Wahoos were shut out by Jose Urena and the Jacksonville Suns 4-0 on Sunday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The Suns took the lead in the third when Austin Barnes doubled home Austin Nola from first base with one out. They cruised from then on adding an insurance run against Corcino in the seventh and scoring two more in the eighth to put the game away.
The Wahoos biggest threat came in sixth. Pensacola put runners at second and third with only one, out but couldn’t score.
Corcino kept the Wahoos in the game over his seven strong innings on the mound. He allowed just three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts. The right-hander retired the Suns in order three times but Pensacola couldn’t provide him any offensive support.
Urena was outstanding on the mound for the Suns. He held the Blue Wahoos to just one hit over his first five innings. Yorman Rodriguez led the game off with a single for Pensacola, and the Wahoos didn’t get another hit until Brodie Greene’s double with one out in the sixth inning. Urena earned the win after working 7.0 shutout innings. He allowed just three hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Pensacola will try to even the series on Monday night in Jacksonville. RHP Tim Adleman (3-6, 3.10) is expected to start for Pensacola against Suns starter RHP Jay Rogers (6-5, 4.06). First pitch is set for 5:05 p.m.
by Tommy Thrall
Century Softball Tourney Benefits Chiefs Football
August 17, 2014
The Northview High School Quarterback Club held a double elimination coed softball tournament Saturday at Showalter Park in Century. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Northview Chiefs football program.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Bethany Reynolds, click to enlarge.
