Wahoos Sweep Double Header 2-1, 3-2 From Huntsville
August 20, 2013
The Blue Wahoos won their second and third straight games by sweeping their doubleheader with the Stars with a 2-1 win in game one, before claiming a 3-2 win in a rain-shortened second game.
In game one, the two teams waited out a 30-minute rain delay with two on and two outs and the Stars batting in the bottom of the first. Once it stopped, Huntsville took a 1-0 lead when Jason Rogers tried to move in to third on a pitch in the dirt, but Tucker Barnhart’s throw got away and allowed Rogers to score the first run of the game.
Pensacola evened the score in the fourth when Mike Costanzo unloaded on his third home run of the season, all against Huntsville. In the fifth, the Wahoos went ahead with back to back doubles from Jon Moscot and Ryan LaMarre. That proved to be all the Wahoos needed as Moscot (W, 2-1) finished five strong innings on the mound allowing just the one unearned run on only two hits with four strikeouts to earn his second win of the season.
Trevor Bell nailed down the save, his 15th of the season with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
In the second game, the Blue Wahoos used a solo home run from Brandon Short to kick start the offense. Later in the inning, Yorman Rodriguez plated two more with a two-run single to right. That was enough with the Wahoos holding off late rallies of a run each from the Stars in the fourth and fifth innings. With the Wahoos batting in the top of the seventh, the rains hit hard at Joe Davis Stadium immediately following a double to right by Corey Wimberly. The game was delayed and eventually called making the Wahoos the winners of the rain-shortened game.
Parker Frazier (W, 2-1) earned the win for the Blue Wahoos out of the bullpen with 1.2 scoreless innings worked. Stars starter Frankie De La Cruz (L, 1-4) surrendered all three Pensacola runs and was charged with the loss. Daniel Renken started for Pensacola and allowed just one run on four hits over four innings. He fanned six while walking just two.
The Blue Wahoos and the Stars will continue the series on Tuesday night in Huntsville. Pensacola will send RHP Tim Crabbe (6-8, 3.35) against Stars RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-8, 3-95). First pitch is slated for 6:43 p.m.
Wahoos Snap Losing Skid, Open Series With 4-1 Win Over Stars
August 19, 2013
Ryan LaMarre broke up a scoreless tie with a two-run homer in the top of the third which proved to be all Pensacola needed in their series-opening 4-1 win over the Huntsville Stars at Joe Davis Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The win snapped a six game losing streak for the Blue Wahoos.
Following LaMarre’s blast, Pensacola added another run later in the inning when three straight batters walked following a Devin Lohman single. Mike Costanzo provided an insurance run in the fifth with a solo home run to right field.
Wahoo starter Carlos Contreras pitched well through five innings before running into problems in the sixth when the Stars collected four hits against the right-hander, including an RBI single by Jason Rogers. Contreras was done after six and allowed just the one run on six hits with a pair of walks and two strikeouts.
Offensively, Costanzo and Lohman along with Corey Wimberly each had multi-hit games for the Wahoos. Contreras earned the win for Pensacola with Trevor Bell picking up his 14th save of the year with a scoreless ninth. Drew Gagnon took the loss for Huntsville after getting charged with all four Wahoos runs on eight hits over 6.1 innings.
The two teams will continue the six game series with a doubleheader on Monday. Pensacola will send RHP Jon Moscot (1-1, 6.60) and RHP Daniel Renken (6-8, 3.67) to the mound in games one and two respectively against RHP Frankie De La Cruz (1-3, 5.06) and RHP Andy Moye (5-13, 4.20). First pitch is slated for 4:03 p.m. in Huntsville.
Wahoos, Braves A Washout
August 18, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Mississippi Braves scheduled for Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium was canceled due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up as the Braves and Blue Wahoos do not meet again this season.
Fans with tickets to Saturday night’s game can use their ticket for any of the final five 2013 regular season home games, subject to availability for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person at the Blue Wahoos Ticket Office.
The Wahoos now hit the road for a six-game series with the Huntsville Stars starting on Sunday afternoon at 4:03 p.m. Carlos Contreras (1-2, 3.12), Saturday’s scheduled starter, will now get the call on Sunday against Huntsville’s Drew Gagnon (4-6, 5.51).
Wahoos Fall To Braves
August 17, 2013
Pensacola’s Robert Stephenson fired six shutout innings before yielding a pair of runs in the seventh and eventually falling in his Double-A debut, 5-1 to the Mississippi Braves in front of the 26th sellout crowd of the year at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Stephenson, touching 96 MPH with his fastball, allowed just two hits in the first six innings before walking the first two batters he faced in the seventh inning. Michael Lorenzen, the 38th overall pick in the 2013 draft, entered and gave up RBI singles to Jaime Pedroza and Barrett Kleinknecht with another run scoring on a throwing error by left fielder Josh Fellhauer turning a one-run deficit into a 3-1 lead for Mississippi.
Stephenson was charged with a pair of runs to fall to 0-1 with Pensacola. The right-hander yielded just two hits in six-plus innings with five strikeouts and three walks.
Mississippi’s Michael Lee was just as good for the Braves, limiting Pensacola to just one run on six hits in seven innings. His lone outlier was a Travis Mattair RBI single in the last of the second to give the Wahoos a 1-0. Lee improved to 8-8 on the year.
The Braves were able to put the game out of reach with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth against Drew Hayes. Mississippi strung together three hits around an error with RBI’s coming from Dan Brewer and Kleinknecht.
Pensacola will look to avoid its second series sweep of the year on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. The Wahoos will give the ball to Carlos Contreras (1-2, 3.12) with the Braves countering with southpaw Ian Thomas (7-7, 2.62).
story by Kevin Burke
Deer Hunting Changes Proposed
August 16, 2013
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking at possible changes to deer hunting in Northwest Florida, including all of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, for the 2014-2015 hunting season.
Under the proposed changes, the FWC is looking at antler-point regulations in Deer Management Unit (DMU) D-1 that would require that antlered deer have at least one antler with two or more antler points on one side to be eligible for harvest. DMU D-1 is south of Interstate 10.
In DMU D-2, which is north of Interstate 10, antlered deer would need at least one antler with three or more points on one side to be eligible for harvest.
Hunters under the age of 16 would be exempt from the proposed antler-point regulations on private lands and on some wildlife management areas.
“The purpose of the antler-point regulations, both in DMU D-1 and DMU D-2, is to protect the majority of 1.5-year-old bucks from harvest while allowing the harvest of 2.5-year-old and older bucks,” said James Kelly, Assistant Deer Management Program coordinator. “During our outreach efforts, we heard a lot of support for increasing the number of bucks in the population, improving buck-to-doe ratios and increasing the size of bucks harvested.”
Other changes under consideration are to shift the antlerless deer season on private lands in DMU D-1 (south of I-10) from the current seven consecutive days to four weekend days during the general gun season.
In DMU D-2 (north of I-10), antlerless deer days would increase to eight weekend days. Three weekends would occur during general gun season, and one weekend would occur during the muzzleloading gun season.
“The proposed change in antlerless deer days in DMU D-1 is to fulfill the stakeholders’ goal of maintaining or increasing the deer population while also increasing the flexibility of antlerless deer days during general gun season,” Kelly said. “Deer-herd density and productivity is higher in DMU D-2, which is why we are recommending more antlerless deer days for this unit.”
Kelly said the regulation proposals are based on detailed input from hunters, landowners, farmers and others during a series of public meetings, public webinars, surveys and technical assistance group meetings.
The proposed changes are recommendations by FWC staff and have not yet been presented to Commissioners for consideration and action. More detailed information and the opportunity to provide feedback on both proposals can be made at MyFWC.com/Deer.
Braves Power Past Pensacola
August 16, 2013
Tommy La Stella blasted a two run homer with two outs in the top of the seventh inning completing, a three-run comeback for the Mississippi Braves in a 4-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Mississippi trailed 3-0 after a three-run home run from Yorman Rodriguez in the last of the third, but scored in three straight innings starting in the fifth against Pensacola starter Josh Smith. In the fifth, four straight hitters reached for the Braves with two outs, culminating in a two-out single from Omar Luna.
An inning later, Edward Salcedo smacked his 12th round-tripper of the year to cut the deficit to 3-2. La Stella, who tied the game in the ninth on Wednesday with a solo homer, blasted a two-run shot off of Smith to give the Braves their first lead of the day at 4-3.
Smith took the loss for Pensacola, falling to 9-9 on the season. The right-hander struck out eight batters in seven innings of work, but he yielded four runs on 10 base hits.
Mississippi starter Mitch Atkins limited Pensacola to just three runs, all on the homer from Rodriguez, in his seven innings of work. Atkins improved to 5-1 as he struck out six and allowed six hits.
James Hoyt picked up his first save of the season by tossing the final two frames for the Braves. In the ninth inning, Ryan LaMarre doubled and moved to third with one out, but Hoyt struck out Josh Fellhauer and got Brandon Short to ground out to third to end the contest.
Having dropped five straight games, the Blue Wahoos will turn to the Reds top pitching prospect Robert Stephenson who will take the ball in his Double-A debut on Friday night. Michael Lee (7-8, 4.02) will get the start for the Braves with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.
Wahoos Fall 3-2 In 14
August 15, 2013
Down to their final out in the ninth inning, the Mississippi Braves tied the game on a solo homer and went on to win on a wild pitch in the 14th inning 3-2 over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
In the 14th inning, Loek Van Mil walked the leadoff hitter Greg Golson, and then exited the game with an apparent injury. Mississippi loaded the bases on a single and a walk against Pensacola’s new pitcher Drew Hayes, who then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Golson to scamper home with the eventual winning run. Van Mil was charged with the loss for Pensacola, falling to 0-8 on the year.
Ryne Harper picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 14th inning, making a winner of Gary Moran who improved to 2-2 with three scoreless innings of relief in extra innings.
Extras were made necessary thanks to Tommy La Stella’s two-out homer off Trevor Bell in the top of the ninth inning. It was the first blown save for Bell this season in 14 chances for Pensacola.
The Wahoos were held to just one hit through seven innings and found themselves down 1-0 headed to the eighth. However, the Wahoos found success against Shae Simmons as Josh Fellhauer gave Pensacola a brief 2-1 lead with a two-run double down the left field line.
The lone run in the game prior the eighth came on a controversial play at the plate in the fourth inning as La Stella somehow avoided a tag of catcher Tucker Barnhart at the plate on a Christian Marrero single and reached back to slap the plate ahead of Barnhart’s second attempted tag.
Both starters were strong in the game, although neither factored in the decision. For Pensacola, Tim Crabbe gave up just a run on seven hits in six innings while establishing a new season-high with nine strikeouts. Gus Schlosser limited the Wahoos to one hit over six frames, striking out four and walking three.
Pensacola will look to snap its four-game losing streak on Thursday night with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch. Josh Smith (9-8, 3.60) takes the ball for the Wahoos against the Braves’ Mitch Atkins (4-1, 2.65).
Jay Royals All Sports Season Passes On Sale Now
August 15, 2013
All sports season passes are one sale now at Jay High School through August 23.
Passes are $175 for a family (anyone living in the same household), or $100 for an individual pass.
To purchase a pass, see Lynn Atkins in the Jay High School main office. These all sports passes are good for admission to all sporting events at Jay High School, except tournaments.
Lady Chiefs Prep For Volleyball Season
August 14, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs volleyball teams will begin the 2013 season soon.
On August 22, the varsity Lady Chiefs will host a preseason classic beginning at 5 p.m. featuring Northview, PCC, Jay and Central. On Monday, August 26, the varsity team will be in action at home against Holmes County at 5 p.m.
On Tuesday, August 27, Northview will host Pensacola Catholic. The JV plays at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity at 6 p.m.
Pictured top: Members of the varsity Lady Chiefs are: (front, L-R) Hanna Ging (9 Soph), Lily Townson (10 Sr), Tiffani Pritchett (2 Sr), (middle row) Shelby Nielsen (4, Sr), Mallory Wiggins (12, Sr), Rebecca Grim (5, Sr), Penny Banda (13, Jr), (back row) Lana Clayton (6, Sr), E’Layzha Bates (8, Jr), Danielle Steadham (7, Sr), Kyndall Hall (14, Jr). Pictured below: Members of the JV team are (front, L-R) Beverly Hughes (9, Fr), Hope Coggins (3, Jr), Maddi Weber (2, Soph), Brittany Ward (24, Soph), (back row) Mallory Merchant (5, Fr), Dimonique Brown (1, Fr), Laurie Purdy (7, Soph), Leah Fischer (6, Soph), Courtney Grim (10, Fr), Victoria Amerson (14, Fr). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mississippi Downs Pensacola
August 14, 2013
The Mississippi Braves scored three runs in the first five batters of the game and never looked back, knocking off the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-3 on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It was Pensacola’s third straight setback.
Mississippi ambushed Pensacola starter Jon Moscot in the first as the first three batters reached within a six-pitch span, culminating in a two-run double by Tommy La Stella to push the Braves in front 2-0. La Stella would score two batter later on an Edward Salcedo to make it 3-0.
Moscot settled down to throw three scoreless frames before the Wahoos scratched a run across in the last of the fourth on a Ryan LaMarre triple and a fielding error by the shortstop Jaime Pedroza.
The Braves responded with an RBI single from Christian Marrero in the top of the fifth to make it 4-1. Moscot worked out of a bases loaded jam, but didn’t make it past the fifth inning, allowing four runs on nine hits to fall to 1-1 in Double-A.
Pensacola made things interesting once again with a pair of runs in the last of the fifth on a Tucker Barnhart RBI groundout and a Travis Mattair RBI single to claw to within 4-3 against Mississippi starter Aaron Northcraft, who went six innings to pick up his seventh win of the year.
Christian Bethancourt put the Braves back on top by two with a towering solo homer off Chris Manno in the top of the sixth to make it 5-3.
The Wahoos attempted a dramatic rally in the last of the ninth inning, loading the bases with one out against Braves closer Ryne Harper, only to see Brandon Short strike out and Mike Costanzo pop out to end the game. Combined with a Jacksonville win over Birmingham, the Wahoos fell five games out of first place in the South Division standings.
Pensacola will look to snap its three-game losing streak on Wednesday night behind Tim Crabbe (6-8, 3.44). Gus Schlosser (6-4, 2.37) will get the call for the Braves with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. on Faith Night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.