Generals Top Wahoos
August 10, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-30, 50-69) fell 
-5 to the Jackson Generals (22-26, 53-64) in front of the 30th sellout crowd of 2014. With the win, the Generals evened the series at two games apiece.
For the first time in the series, the Generals struck first in the contest. Leon Landry led the game off with a solo home run to right field. It was an inauspicious start for Wahoos’ starter Robert Stephenson, who would eventually be chased from the contest after 2.1 innings pitched. Stephenson allowed five runs on nine hits, five of which went for extra-bases.
The Wahoos answered in the bottom of the second inning with three runs of their own to take the lead, 3-2. Travis Mattair started the inning off with a double and Kyle Waldrop followed it up with an RBI triple. After a sacrifice fly from Seth Mejias-Brean, Juan Duran crushed a solo shot to left field to give the Wahoos the lead.
Jackson re-took the lead with a two-RBI double from Dario Pizzano in the third inning and it was sixth batter of the inning, Steve Baron, whose double ended Stephenson’s night. The seesaw battle continued with the Wahoos tying the score at five in the bottom of the fourth.
Dan Paolini answered in the fifth with a solo home run to left center to give the Generals the lead for good. Paolini was the marquee player for Jackson; he went 4-for-5, with three RBI and two solo home runs.
RHP Kyle McMyne made his first Double-A appearance of his career for Pensacola. McMyne went 2.0 innings and allowed one run on three hits while notching his first strikeout. RHP Tim Adleman came on in relief of Stephenson and took the loss for the Wahoos. Adleman went 2.2 innings and gave up just one run on two hits while striking out three batters. LHP Kyle Hunter earned the win, throwing 2.1 innings of scoreless ball for the Generals.
The Wahoos scored five runs, so use promo code WAHOOS on PapaJohns.com Sunday for 50% off pizza.
The rubber match begins at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The Wahoos will send RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-5, 2.56) to the mound and the Generals have tabbed LHP Tyler Pike (3-2, 6.29) as their starting pitcher.
by Tommy Thrall
Escambia County Athlete Honored With Special Olympics Of Florida Award
August 9, 2014
A very special Escambia County athlete was recognized with a Special Olympics of Florida award.
Stacy Barnes has been participating in Special Olympics for 17 years. She had focused on bowling and bocce competition but made a New Year’s resolution to try tennis.
Barnes’ hard work paid off – this summer she took home a gold medal in tennis.
For eight years Barnes has also served in several leadership roles through Special Olympics, including being elected to represent her county and promote national campaigns. Barnes represents Special Olympics Florida in her community by emphasizing the abilities of the athletes, not their disabilities when she makes speeches and participates in public events.
Pictured top: The Florida Special Olympics Torch run begins each year in Century. Pictured inset: Stacy Barnes. Pictured below: The Escambia County Special Olympics Spring Games are held each spring at Tate High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Top The Generals 5-1
August 9, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (19-29, 50-68) took game three of the series 5-1 over the Jackson Generals (21-26, 52-64). With their second straight victory, the Wahoos took a 2-1 series lead over the Generals. RHP Jon Moscot (W, 7-10) shined for the Wahoos, earning his seventh win of the season.
Moscot worked efficiently in the game; he pitched 7.0 innings on 85 pitches, 58 of which were strikes. The righty allowed only three hits, struck out four batters and didn’t surrender a walk all night. It was Moscot’s 14th quality start in 24 appearances this season with the Wahoos.
Seth Mejias-Brean got the Blue Wahoos on the board first for the fourth straight game with his third home run of the season in the second inning. Pensacola was aided by three unearned runs over the third and fourth innings to take a 4-0 lead. For the second straight night, the Wahoos were able to capitalize on Jackson’s miscues to gain an early advantage.
The Wahoos scored in their fourth straight inning when Mejias-Brean got his second RBI of the contest with a run scoring single to give Pensacola a 5-0 lead. The Generals didn’t strike until the Wahoos went to their bullpen in the eighth inning. Carlos Gonzalez allowed a run and exited the game with the bases loaded.
RHP Ben Klimesh (S, 1) came on and struck out Pat Kivlehan to end the threat in the eighth inning. Klimesh finished off the Generals in the ninth inning, earning his first save with Pensacola.
Ross Perez was held hitless tonight snapping his 13-game hitting streak, the second longest in team history. Despite going 0-for-4 at the plate, he won off the field by proposing to his girlfriend Smirna Flores before the game as part of a ceremonial first pitch. She said yes and the two shared a moment before the start of Friday night’s game.
RHP Stephen Landazuri (L, 6-4) took the loss for the Generals. The Generals’ right-hander went 5.0 innings and allowed 5 R/2ER on five hits. The Wahoos scored five runs, so use promo code WAHOOS on PapaJohns.com on Saturday for 50% off pizza.
The Blue Wahoos have tabbed RHP Robert Stephenson (5-8, 4.29) as their starting pitcher for game four on Saturday. The Generals will send RHP Victor Sanchez (6-4, 3.62) to the mound.
by Tommy Thrall
Wahoos Even Series With 3-2 Win Over The Jackson Generals
August 8, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (18-29, 49-68) evened up the series with a 3-2 victory over the Jackson Generals (21-25, 52-63) at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Starting pitcher Daniel Corcino dazzled in his longest start of the season, earning his team-leading 10th win.
Corcino went 8.0 innings for the Wahoos and did not allow a run. The righty surrendered four hits and struck out six batters while walking just one. With the win, he heads into a five-way tie atop the Southern League in wins. He is also the second Wahoos pitcher to reach 10 wins in a season. Josh Smith was the first with 11 wins in 2013.
The Blue Wahoos struck first in the second inning when Ryan Wright hit a long fly ball to right field, scoring Ray Chang on a sacrifice. Chang led the inning off with a single, but the run wouldn’t have been possible if not for an error by the Generals’ second baseman, Brock Hebert. The Wahoos scored again in the fifth inning because of an error by the Generals. Yorman Rodriguez hit a fly ball down the right field line that Jordy Lara dropped, which allowed Wright to score all the way from first base.
The Wahoos added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, which would later prove to be necessary. Rodriguez doubled to begin the inning and Brodie Greene’s single moved him over to third with no outs in the inning. Catcher Chris Berset hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field that allowed Rodriguez to score the Wahoos third run of the game.
The Generals finally got on the board with two runs in the top of the ninth, which included a solo home run from Dan Paolini. Shane Dyer allowed the two runs, but earned his 14th save of the season. The shortstop, Greene, made a sprawling, diving play to his right, got to his feet and fired a strike to first base to end the game in stunning fashion.
Despite taking the loss, LHP Tyler Olson pitched very well for the Generals. Olson didn’t allow an earned run over 5.2 innings of work. The lefty surrendered just three hits and struck out seven Wahoo batters.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Jon Moscot (6-10, 3.30) to the mound for game three of the series. RHP Stephen Landazuri (6-3, 3.62) will start for the Generals.
by Tommy Thrall
NBA Star Reggie Evans Shares Message Of Hope With Century CI Inmates
August 7, 2014
The odds may have been stacked against Reggie Evans. But the power forward for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings has always been known for his rebounding — both on and off the court.
Evans grew up in the Pensacola Village projects. Drugs are often a way of life in Pensacola Village, and Evans fell into the trap as a dealer. He ended up in the Escambia County Jail, not behind bars, but visiting a cousin. That was his wake up call, and basketball became his escape.
“I’ve been around it (jail),” he said. “I feel like I can relate to prisoners because I’ve had friends and family members in jail.”
Recently, Evans spoke to about 300 inmates inside Century Correctional Institution.
“I told them to never give up, no matter their situation,” Evans told NorthEscambia.com after his prison visit to Century. “No matter where you are in life, even in prison, you are in a position to have an impact on yourself, on others.”
“Y’all have influence, and you need to make that a positive thing,” he said.
Pictured top and inset: NBA star Reggie Evans of the Sacramento Kings speaks to about 300 inmates at Century Correctional Institution. Pictured below: Lt. Jeremiah Mccabe, Rentry Coordinator Sgt. Jack Coppenger, Reggie Evans, Asst. Warden Jonathan Hutchins, Thomas Brame, Mrs. Joi Evans (Reggie’s wife) and Warden John Sloan in the Century CI chapel. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hot-Hitting Jackson Defeats The Blue Wahoos 9-3
August 7, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos offensive woes continued Wednesday to start its five-game series against the Jackson Generals.
The Wahoos managed just three runs in their loss, 9-3, and now have averaged 2.3 runs in its last 11 games. On the season, Pensacola ranks last in the Southern League in runs scored with 465.
Meanwhile, Jackson has been the hottest hitting team in the league since June 1, hitting .279 as a team. Against Pensacola last night its nine hits included three home runs by D.J. Peterson, the second-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, Patrick Brady and Jody Lara, who hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning.
“They got some guys who can swing the bat from what I’ve seen,” said Blue Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields.
He added that he hasn’t enjoyed watching his team struggle at the plate.
“It’s tough, especially when you know you’re better than that,” DeShields said. “That’s just the way it is sometimes.”
Lively gave up two solo home runs to left field with winds gusting to 20 mph and gave up five earned runs in six innings. After earning his first win in his last start by taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, the Gulf Breeze High School product is still seeking his first win at home.
For the moment, though, Lively’s three strikeouts allowed him to take back the minor league baseball lead in strikeouts with 149. Over his previous eight starts with the Wahoos, opposing Double-A batters are hitting .195 off Lively.
DeShields said he walked to the mound to speak with Lively in the sixth inning with men on second and third base to remind him that first base was open against Jackson’s Dario Pizzano and he was followed by catcher Steve Baron, who is hitting .175. Pizzano ended up doubling in two runs that put the Generals ahead for good, 5-3. Lively struck out Baron to end the sixth.
“I told him (Pizzano) wasn’t his guy,” DeShields said. “Lively just made a lot of mistakes tonight.”
The three bright spots from the Wahoos opening game with the Generals? The Washington High School drum line in the fourth inning, Ross Perez and Juan Duran.
Perez singled up the middle to center field to extend his Wahoos season-high hitting streak to 13 games. During the streak, he’s hitting 22-49, or .449, with 1 home run and 13 RBI and has struck out just three times.
Duran also looked strong at the plate by knocking three doubles – all to the outfield wall – and he scored twice. He is now hitting .245 on the season with a team-leading 15 home runs and 48 RBI and is second in doubles with 18, one behind Travis Mattair.
The second game of the five-game series with Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate the Jackson Generals gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.29) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Generals LHP Tyler Olson (6-6, 4.21).
Northview Preseason Game Against Escambia Academy Canceled; Garnet And Gold Game Planned
August 6, 2014
Northview High School’s preseason kickoff game August 22 against the Escambia Academy Cougars has been canceled.
The Florida High School Athletic Association would not approve the game because Escambia Academy is a not a member of an organization that is part of the National Federation of State High School Associations, according to Northview Principal Gayle Weaver.
Weaver said the school is finalizing plans for a Garnet and Gold game with just the Chiefs at 7 p.m. on August 22.
The Northview Chiefs will open the regular season on the road at Bozeman at 7 p.m. on August 29.
Escambia Academy is private school located in Canoe, Ala. The Cougars are members of the Alabama Independent School Association, which is not a NFHS member association. The Cougars will open their regular season at home against Autauga Academy of Prattville, Ala., on August 29.
Wahoos Fall In Series Finale
August 5, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-28, 48-67) fell in the series finale, 3-2, to the Tennessee Smokies (23-22, 56-58). With the victory, the Smokies took the series over the Wahoos 3-2.
The Wahoos got out to an early lead in the first inning after a Yorman Rodriguez triple and a Ryan Wright RBI single. Pensacola extended their lead to two in the fourth inning and again it was the top of the order that came through for the Wahoos. Wright walked to start the inning and moved to second on a Chris Berset groundout. With two outs in the inning, Kyle Waldrop produced an RBI single.
The Smokies responded with a run in the top of the fifth inning and it was catcher Taylor Davis’ two-run double in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference in the game. RHP Tim Adleman replaced starter Michael Lorenzen in the fifth and took the loss for the Wahoos. Lorenzen went 4.0 innings and allowed 1 R/ER on three hits. Adleman went 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits.
Smokies starter Eduardo Figueroa got the no-decision and went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Figueroa struck out six batters and only walked one. Reliever Lendy Castillo earned his first win of the season out of the bullpen; he went 1.0 innings and struck out two batters.
The Wahoos threatened in the top of the ninth and loaded the bases with two outs, but Frank Batista got Travis Mattair to fly out to end the contest. It was Batista’s ninth save of the season.
Pensacola is off Tuesday and returns to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a 10-game home stand on Wednesday at 6:30 pm against the Jackson Generals. RHP Ben Lively (1-5, 3.48) will make the start in the series opener and he’ll be opposed by LHP Cam Hobson (6-9, 4.14) of the Generals.
by Joey Truncale
Photos: Summer Volleyball
August 4, 2014
T.R. Miller High School in Brewton hosted their annual volleyball play-date recently at Brewton Middle School.
The event featured varsity and junior varsity games from nine high schools, including T.R. Miller, Northview, Flomaton and Jay.
“Both teams competed well and are showing much progress,” Northview Coach Barbara Luker said, adding that scores and stats were not kept because it was summer play.
For a photo gallery with the Northview varsity and JV teams, click here.
Photos by Kayleen Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smokies Even Series With 4-1 Win Over The Wahoos
August 4, 2014
Addison Russell blasted a two-run home run in the first inning to help lift the Smokies over the Blue Wahoos 4-1 at Smokies Park Sunday afternoon.
Robert Stephenson (L, 5-8) was on cruise control after Russell’s homer. He went on to retire 14 Smokies batters in a row until he hit Albert Almora with a pitch following a groundout to start the sixth inning. Lars Anderson put the game out of reach later in that inning with a two-run double.
Stephenson was being dueled on the other side by Smokies right-hander and Cubs No. 6 prospect Pierce Johnson (W, 4-4). He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Stephenson broke it up at the plate with a two-out single. Johnson retired the next batter, Yorman Rodriguez, on a line drive to second base. He picked up the win after working 6.0 shutout innings allowing just two hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
Stephenson was charged with 4 R/ER on just three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over 6.0 innings in the loss.
Pensacola put together a threat in the ninth inning but had to settle for just one run despite bringing the tying run to the plate.
Brodie Greene had the Wahoos only multi-hit game of the afternoon, going 2-for-4. Ross Perez extended his team-high hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will take another shot at the series win on Monday night. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-5, 2.57) will start against Smokies RHP Eduardo Figueroa. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT at Smokies Park.
by Tommy Thralll