Wahoos Lose 2-1 To The Birmingham Barons
May 11, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel with the Birmingham Barons on Saturday night at Regions Field to open the five-game series. With the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning, Chris Curley singled home Jaime Pedroza from third to break the 1-1 tie and lift the Barons over the Blue Wahoos.
Pensacola broke up Nick McCully’s no-hit bid in the sixth inning on a base hit to right field by Brodie Greene. He then stole second base and scored on a Rey Navarro single for the game’s first run. Birmingham was quick to answer in the bottom of the inning to lock the game up at 1-1.
Daniel Corcino allowed just the one run but pitched out of trouble all game. His final line was impressive with 6.0 innings worked just the 1R/ER allowed on two walks and four strikeouts. Barons starter McCully matched him over 7.0 innings giving up just the 1R/ER on only three hits with a walk and a strikeout. Neither started recorded a decision.
In the ninth inning, Fabien Williamson (L, 0-3) allowed a one-out single to Pedroza. He then went to second on an errant pickoff attempt at first base, and up to third on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, the Barons loaded the bases on an intentional walk and an unintentional walk. Williamson battled back from a 3-0 count to work it full against Curley before he singled into shallow centerfield to drive in the winning run.
Pensacola had just three hits in the game, while the Barons had 12 and left 12 on base. Nester Molina claimed the win for the Barons with a perfect ninth inning out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos will continue the series on Sunday with RHP Robert Stephenson (2-3, 4.41) on the mound against RHP Chris Beck (2-5, 4.93). First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. from Regions Field in Birmingham, Ala.
by Tommy Thrall
Jay Falls In State Championship Game
May 10, 2014
The Jay Royals fell to Chiefland, 9-2, in the 1A state championship game in Vero Beach this morning.
The Lady Royals have finished as state runner-ups two of the last three years. They finished their season with a 24-4 record.
Wahoos Come From Behind For 4-2 Win Over The Lookouts
May 10, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (16-19) came from behind to win the rubber match against the Chattanooga Lookouts (14-20), 4-2. First baseman Travis Mattair’s two-run double capped a three-run eighth, which gave the Wahoos the lead and eventually the win.
RHP Mikey O’Brien made his second start of the season for the Wahoos. O’Brien, starting in the place of injured RHP Carlos Contreras, pitched well going 5.0 innings and giving up just two runs on three hits. Justin Freeman pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth while striking out three Lookout batters to earn the win for the Wahoos.
Shortstop Devin Lohman continued his hot series against the Lookouts with a solo home run in the second that cut the Lookouts lead to just one. Juan Silverio came up with a big RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at two before Mattair put the Wahoos ahead with his double.
RHP Garrett Gould had his best start of the season for the Lookouts, going a season-high 6.0 innings with a season-high nine strikeouts in the series finale. Gould gave up 1 R/ER on four hits and took a no decision. Gould allowed two runs or less for the third straight start. Juan Noriega took the loss for the Lookouts; the right-hander gave up 3 R/1 on three hits.
Chattanooga’s first baseman O’Koyea Dickson homered for the third time this series. Dickson’s first inning home run gave the Lookouts a quick 2-0 lead. It was the fourth time in the series that the Lookouts scored in the first inning.
The Wahoos will head to Birmingham to begin a five-game series starting Saturday evening. RHP Daniel Corcino (3-3, 4.35) will get the start for the Wahoos, while RHP Nick McCully (2-2, 6.33) will go for the Barons.
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 4-2. Photo by (Warren Thompson/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
by Tommy Thralll
Tate Falls In State Semifinals
May 9, 2014
The Tate High School Lady Aggies were defeated 5-0 by St. Thomas Aquinas in the state 7A semifinals this afternoon in Vero Beach.
Jay Lady Royals Win 1A Semifinal Game
May 9, 2014
The Jay Lady Royals won their 1A state semifinals game 14-8 over Bell in seven innings this afternoon. The Royals earned a 13-0 advantage in the first inning before going on for the win in Vero Beach.
Jay will face Chiefland at 10:05 central time Saturday morning for the 1A state championship..
West Florida Jaguars Win 4A State Championship (With Photo Gallery)
May 9, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars won the 4A state championship in almost impossible grand style Thursday afternoon. The Lady Jags were down 5-1 with two outs in the seventh, before coming back to beat P. K. Yonge 6-5 in Vero Beach.
It was the first softball state championship for West Florida High. In face, it was the first team state championship of any kind for the school.
The Blue Wave’s pitcher was tossing a no-hitter all the way to the sixth inning when Nachelle Watson popped a single up the middle followed a single from Korina Rosario. Watson scored on a fielder’s choice to put the Jags on board at historic Dodgertown, 5-1.
Then with two outs, bottom of the seventh, Rosario had a grounder to the shortstop who threw wide to first base. That sent Emily Loring and Watson home, 5-3. Kristin Gunter’s hit sent Jibrasha Moore and Rosario home, 5-5.
Then Gunter crossed home plate on a winning hit from Ali Cutaio, setting of a wild celebration for the state champion West Florida Lady Jaguars.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: The 4A state champion West Florida High School Jaguars. Pictured inset: Coach Jessica Simpson is dunked by her team. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Pitcher’s Duel
May 9, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts, 3-2, on Thursday night in front of a sell-out crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (15-19) evened the series in a game in which the starting pitchers shined for both Pensacola and the Lookouts (14-19).
RHP Michael Lorenzen was fantastic in the start for the Wahoos. Each of the first four batters of the game reached for the Lookouts, but Lorenzen was able to work out of the jam and twirl a gem. Lorenzen retired twenty straight batters from the first inning into the seventh and struck out six Lookout batters during the process. The right-hander pitched 7.0 innings and gave up just three hits. RHP James Walczak pitched a perfect eighth inning and struck out one batter and earned his first win of the year.
The Wahoos had a tough time getting hits off of Lookouts starter Andres Santiago. Their first run in the contest scored on an error by second baseman Ryan Adams. Juan Silverio continued his hot hitting in the series, going 3-for-4 with three singles. Right fielder Juan Duran hit an RBI double into the left field gap to score Silverio all the way from first and give the Wahoos the lead in the eighth. Left fielder Steve Selsky added an insurance run with an RBI single to score Duran; Selsky went 3-for-4 with a double on the game.
Santiago had his longest outing of the season; he gave up 1 R/0 ER on five hits through 6.1 innings. Santiago added five strikeouts to his ledger. Reliever Pedro Baez took the loss for the Lookouts; the right-hander pitched 1.2 innings and gave up two runs on four hits.
Jeremy Hazelbaker led off the game with a triple down the right field line and later scored on a Brian Cavazo-Galvez single. Left fielder Scott Schebler had an RBI single in the ninth to cut the lead to one, but Shane Dyer struck out Chris O’Brien to end the game with the tying run at third. Despite allowing the ninth inning run, Dyer remained perfect in his four save tries.
RHP Mikey O’Brien (1-2, 4.24) will make his second start of the season for the Wahoos in the series finale on Friday. O’Brien pitched well in a spot start last week, giving up just 1 R/ER on three hits through 5.0 innings. The Lookouts will counter with RHP Garrett Gould (1-4, 6.41).
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 3-2 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Thursday. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
West Florida Wins, Advances To State Championship Game (With Photo Gallery)
May 8, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars are headed to the 4A state championship game on Thursday.
The Lady Jags beat defending state champions Gulliver Prep 3-0 Wednesday at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach. WFHS will play P. K. Yonge Thursday for the shot at West Florida’s first-ever softball state championship.
Korina Rosario pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out 12. For West Florida, Kristen Gunter was 2-2 with a RBI; Nachelle Watson was 2-3 with a RBI and run scored; Jordaine Watkins was 1-2 with a triple; Brianna Rogers was 1-2 with a triple and run scored. The Jags scored two in the first inning and one in second inning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Second Straight
May 8, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were shut out by the Chattanooga Lookouts, 6-0, on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (14-19) mustered just four hits against the Lookouts (14-18), who won their second straight game over Pensacola.
RHP Jon Moscot made his seventh start of the season for the Wahoos and gave up 3 R/ER and seven hits in 6.0 innings pitched. Moscot struck out five batters, which is tied for his second most strikeouts in an outing.
The Wahoos struggled for the second straight game to find hits against the Lookouts. Shortstop Devin Lohman went 1-for-5 with a single and a stolen base. Juan Duran and Chris Berset singled consecutively in the bottom of the seventh, but a double play thwarted the Wahoos rally. Duran ended the night 2-for-4, adding a double to his ledger in the ninth.
Chattanooga’s starting pitcher Chris Reed was fantastic for the Lookouts. The left-hander went 6.0 innings and gave up just one hit, which came from the leadoff hitter Lohman in the bottom of the first. Reed struck out seven and gave up just one walk to the Wahoos. RHP Juan Gonzalez came on in relief of Reed and gave up two hits, but pitched a scoreless seventh for the Lookouts.
Darnell Sweeney led the way offensively for Chattanooga. He went 2-for-5 and his fourth inning two-run home run broke the game open for the Lookouts. Third baseman Daniel Mayora had another successful day at the plate; he went 1-for-4 with an RBI sacrifice fly. Ozzie Martinez put the game away in the eighth with a pinch-hit solo home run off of reliever Justin Freeman.
The Wahoos will send RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-1, 1.82) to the bump to try and even the series with the Lookouts. Chattanooga’s RHP Andres Santiago (0-2, 6.08) will oppose Lorenzen on the mound.
by Tommy Thrall
Northview, West Florida Out Of Baseball Playoffs; Catholic Advances
May 7, 2014
Both Northview and West Florida were knocked out of the regional semifinals in their respective classes Tuesday, while Pensacola Catholic advanced.
The Northview Chiefs lost to Bozeman 12-2 in the Class 1A regional semifinals Tuesday at Bozeman. The Chiefs ended their winning season at 15-7.
In 4A action, Catholic beat the West Florida Jaguars 8-0. West Floirda finished their season at an even 17-17. Nick Lackey went 2-4 at bat for the Jaguars, while Kyle Harrison was 1-2.
Catholic moves on to the Region 1-4A championship game at 7 p.m. Friday against the Jacksonville Episcopal Eagles at Jacksonville Episcopal High School.