Wahoos Win Third Game Jacksonville Series 5-1
June 3, 2014
Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the the Jacksonville Suns Monday night 5-1.
Starting pitcher Jon Moscot allowed one run, four hits and struck out eight in seven innings of work, including the side in his final inning.
dThrowing a season-high 115 pitches for Wahoos starters, Moscot lowered his ERA to 2.33, fourth best in the Southern League. And, great Odin’s Raven, he retired 17 of 18 batters and nine straight before Jacksonville’s Alfredo Silverio singled.
“That show of faith that I could get that done was big for me,” Moscot said. “I didn’t feel tired. I felt in control of my stuff tonight.”
Manager Delino DeShields said he was pleased with Moscot, who earned his first win since May 12 and is now 4-3 on the season.
“I liked what I was seeing,” DeShields said. “His velocity was still good. He’s a very composed young man. He doesn’t lose his cool out there.”
Jacksonville pitcher Micah Owings was making his second start for the Suns, after signing in April with the Miami Marlins to be a pitcher again in 2014. He tried his hand at converting to an outfielder in 2013. He played in the Major Leagues from 2007-12 for the Arizona Diamond backs, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres and posted a 32-33 record and 4.86 ERA.
But Pensacola second baseman Ray Chang chased Owings out of the game with a one-out double in the third inning that scored pitcher Moscot for a 3-1 lead. The Wahoos added two more in the fifth inning to go up, 5-1, when leadoff hitter Josh Fellhauer’s single to shallow center field scored both Ross Perez and Yorman Rodriguez.
by Tommy Thrall
Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Lose To Jacksonville
June 2, 2014
It’s hard to stay positive when your team puts up a big fat zero on the scoreboard for the third time in four games.
But Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder Steve Selsky did Sunday, following a shutout loss, 4-0, to the Jacksonville Suns at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Selsky blasted two singles in four at bats, extended his hitting streak to six games and raised his season batting average above .300 to .302.
He said he and his teammates just need to simplify their approach at the plate.
“Guys are trying to do way too much,” said Selsky, who has gotten a hit in 10 of his last 11 games. “It’s hard to carry a whole team by yourself. You can’t go up to the plate saying, ‘I need a hit. I need a hit. I need a hit.’ You need a quality at bat. A good at bat leads to success.”
It’s that mindset that helped Selsky get the first hit in the fourth inning for the Wahoo’s off of Jacksonville Suns lefty starting pitcher Chipper Smith. Smith improved his record to 2-0, allowing just three hits in six scoreless innings. In his Southern League debut May 16, Smith blanked the Wahoos for four innings, giving up two runs in 5.2 innings of work.
“We haven’t handled lefties well,” Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields said. “(Smith) has baffled us.”
The game turned on an error by Wahoos third baseman Juan Silverio on a shot by Miguel Tejada that bounced off his glove and through his legs into short center field. The possible double-play grounder would have kept the score, 1-0. Instead the Suns added three runs, including a score by Tejada, to go up, 4-0, after three innings.
Unfortunately, Pensacola leads the Southern League in allowing unearned runs with 42 entering Sunday’s game.
Another not-so-good stat? The Blue Wahoos are now 0-8 in Robert Stephenson’s last eight starts and last won, 17-1, against Jacksonville on April 21. Despite Pensacola’s record, Stephenson, who’s considered the Cincinnati Reds top prospect, has pitched well with hitters batting just .200 against him.
However, Sunday was not his day, as he battled a stiff neck. He lacked his usual velocity and lasted just three innings, giving up four runs with two of them earned. Stephenson, who came into the game leading the league with 66 strikeouts in 58 innings, fanned just one batter Sunday.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost to the Suns 4-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Sunday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Blank Suns 8-0
June 1, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored five runs in the first inning Saturday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The big hit in the first inning came on a three-run home run over the left field fence by Travis Mattair.
While the Wahoos went on to defeat the Jacksonville Suns, 8-0, to break a six-game losing streak, all eyes were on former big league MVP and All-Star Miguel Tejada.
Tejada was playing professional baseball for the first time for the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate since a 105-game suspension Aug. 17 by Major League Baseball for testing positive for amphetamines. He becomes eligible June 7 to play again in the majors.
The 40-year-old Tejada, who was the 2002 American League Most Valuable and six-time All-Star, hit a bloop single in his first at bat, grounded out to short in an inning-ending double play, struck out and beat out a sharp grounder that Wahoos third baseman Juan Silverio made a backhanded stab on and in his final at bat reached first on a fielder’s choice. In the field, Tejada played third base where he made a nice play on a big hop.
Before getting on the team bus to travel to Pensacola, Tejada introduced himself to every Suns player and shook their hands.
After the game, Tejada could hardly contain his excitement about being back on the field. Suns Manager Andy Barkett gave him the option to come out of the game if he was tired but he chose to stay in.
“I feel great,” said Tejada, who last played in the Southern League in 1997. “I feel 20 again. I’m excited and happy to be here.”
Tejada also said he wants to play at least another season and be a model player for the younger ballplayers coming up.
“I don’t want them to quit. I want them to keep playing,” Tejada said. “They see me out 105 games but I came back. I can help a lot of young guys. I’ve always loved this game and I respect it a lot.”
Jacksonville’s Barkett said Tejada looked “great” at the plate and in the field. Barkett reported that Tejada plans to play, too, in his home country where he’s considered a legend for the
Dominican Republic winter baseball league’s Agulias Cibaenas.
“He said he wants one more year to do things right,” said Barkett, who played with Tejada in 2000 in the Caribbean Series championship. “That’s completely admirable. I hope they young guys see not just a talented player but see the hunger of this guy. We’ve got someone special on our hands as a human being and as a baseball player.”
Tejada, who in 16 big league seasons is a .285 hitter with 307 home runs and 1302 RBI, is a former Southern Leaguer. He spent the 1997 season with the Huntsville Stars, who were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics at the time. In 128 games, Tejada hit .275 with 22 homers and 97 RBI, and he received his first MLB call-up late that season.
Besides Mattair Several Wahoos played well against the Suns Saturday night, including Brodie Greene who was 2-4 and scored two runs; Ross Perez who went 2-3 and drove in two runs; and Juan Silverio who was 2-4 with a home run blast over the leftfield wall.
by Tommy Thrall
Niceville Upends Tate In Spring Football Jamboree
May 31, 2014
The Niceville Eagles got past the Tate Aggies 21-13 in a two-quarter spring football jamboree Friday night at Pete Gindl Stadium in Cantonment.
Quarterback Sawyer Smith capped an 80-yard trip down the field with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Reginald Payne to open the scoring for the Aggies. Tate scored again on a seven-yard run from Alondo Thompkins.
In the first two quarters of the jamboree, the Niceville junior varsity defeated the Tate JV 16-0.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Both Games Of Mississippi Doubleheader
May 31, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (22-33) dropped both games of the doubleheader against the Mississippi Braves (32-22). The Wahoos were held scoreless in both contests and managed just nine hits combined. With the two victories, the Braves swept the five-game series over the Wahoos.
Mississippi took game one of the series 7-0. RHP Jason Hursh pitched a complete-game shutout for the Braves. Hursh gave up just four hits in the game. Wahoos’ RHP Michael Lorenzen was tagged for 7 R/6ER over just 2.1 innings of work. Lorenzen fell for the fourth time this season and will end May with an 0-3 record, but a 3.62 ERA.
Catcher Braeden Schlehuber led the Braves offensively; he hit a three-run home run and ended the day with four RBI. Cedric Hunter continued his hot series with a 2-for-3 game and an RBI. The Wahoos only extra-base hit on the day came from Lorenzen, a double to right field in the third inning.
The Wahoos again fell 7-0 in game two. Braves starter Aaron Northcraft pitched 5.0 innings and struck out eight Wahoo batters. The right-hander won his sixth game of the season. RHP Mikey O’Brien took the loss for the Wahoos. It was the first loss for O’Brien as a starter and the first time the Wahoos lost in one of his starts this season.
Hunter played well again for the Braves in game two. The left-fielder went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Right-fielder David Rohm finished the second game 2-for-3 with two RBI. Rey Navarro had the only multi-hit game on the day for the Wahoos; he finished the game 2-for-3.
The Wahoos return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Saturday to take on the Jacksonville Suns. RHP Daniel Corcino (4-4, 3.66) will start the first game for the Wahoos in the five-game set with the Suns. Jacksonville will send RHP Jose Urena (5-2, 4.17) to the bump.
by Joey Truncale
Northview Seeks Players For Summer Softball
May 30, 2014
Young women that are interested in playing summer ball or softball at Northview High School should meet at the Northview softball field Monday morning at 8:00 for tryouts.
Northwest Escambia Closes Out Season With A Bang (With Photo Gallery)
May 30, 2014
The Northwest Escambia league at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill closed out their season with a bang Thursday night. Each player received a trophy prior to a fireworks show.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos And Braves Washed Out Thursday Night
May 30, 2014
For the third straight night, the Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves had to deal with rain at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., and the rain finally won. The Blue Wahoos and Braves were postponed and the two teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Friday.
The game will consist of two seven inning games with roughly a half-hour break between the two games.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-3, 1.99) to the mound in game one followed by RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) in game two. The Braves will counter with RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18) followed by RHP Aaron Northcraft (4-2, 2.70).
Pensacola will return home after the games and open a five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Chiefs Honor Top Baseball Players
May 29, 2014
Several awards and a scholarship were presented at the annual Northview High School baseball team banquet:
- Sportsmanship Award — Trevor Levins and Doug Sherrill
- Diamond Thief Award (most stolen bases) — Jody Bonner
- Offensive Player Award — Thomas Moore
- Defensive Player Award — Jody Bonner
- Pitching Award — Daulton Tullis
- Academic Award — Doug Sherrill
- MVP Award — Thomas Moore
- Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship — Brannon Freeman
Pictured top: (L-R) Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship winner Brannon Freeman, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, Most Valuable Player Award winner Thomas Moore and Coach Marty Lister. Pictured below: The annual Northview High School baseball team banquet. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Second Straight In Extras To Braves
May 29, 2014
For the second straight night, the Mississippi Braves came from behind late in a game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and won in walk-off fashion in extra innings. Blue Wahoos second baseman, Brodie Greene, committed a costly throwing error on an attempted double play which allowed former Wahoo Matt Kennelly to score with two outs handing the Braves the 5-4 win 13 innings.
Pensacola moved in front, 3-2, with a three-run sixth inning, but the Braves quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to even the score. Pensacola reclaimed the lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center field. It wasn’t until the ninth, that the Braves tied the game with an RBI double from, Tuesday night’s hero, Mycal Jones. It stayed that way until Mississippi took advantage of the Blue Wahoos miscues in the 13th inning for the 5-4 win.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was tremendous allowing just 2R/1ER between three relievers over 7.2 innings. Drew Hayes, Justin Freeman and Tim Adleman combined to strike out seven Braves hitters and allowed just four hits. Adleman retired the first nine hitters he faced before allowing a leadoff single to Kennelly to begin the 13th. He suffered the loss despite allowing just the one hit in 3.2 innings.
Jon Moscot went 5.0 innings in the start for the Wahoos. He allowed 3R/ER on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in the no-decision. Braves starter J.R. Graham was tough to solve for Pensacola. He went 5.1 innings and allowed just 2R/ER on only two hits with six strikeouts. He also took a no-decision. Ryne Harper earned the win with a scoreless inning out of the Braves bullpen. It was the second straight night he had pitched for Mississippi.
Offensively, Greene led the way. He finished 3-for-4 with double and two runs scored. He had Pensacola’s only multi-hit game.
Pensacola will look to rebound on Thursday night. RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) will get the nod for the Blue Wahoos against Braves RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall