Generals Put Damper On Late Wahoos Rally
July 8, 2013
The Jackson Generals saw a 3-0 lead disappear but put together a two-run top of the eighth inning to take Sunday night’s game from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-4 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Trailing 4-3 heading to the eighth inning, Jackson took advantage of some sloppy defense to take the lead. The Generals loaded the bases with nobody out with two singles and a sacrifice bunt with Leon Landry reaching on an error by first baseman Donald Lutz. Steven Proscia knotted the game at four with a sacrifice fly before the bases were reloaded with an intentional walk. Loek Van Mil struck out Ramon Morla but then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Landry to scamper home from third with the go-ahead run. Van Mil got John Hicks to fly out to end the threat.
Pensacola wasn’t able to muster a comeback in the final two innings and fell for the third consecutive game, thus losing the series to the Generals with a game still to be played.
The Wahoos offense looked much like it did in Saturday’s doubleheader, mustering just one hit through the first five innings. Jackson had built a 3-0 lead after five thanks to a Proscia solo homer in the second, a Ji-Man Choi single in the fourth and a Hicks sacrifice fly, also in the fourth.
Yorman Rodriguez sparked the Pensacola offense, though, with a one-out solo homer in the sixth against Jackson reliever Kyle Hunter. It was the first career Double-A home run for the 20-year old Rodriguez, and 10th this season combined between Bakersfield and Pensacola.
An inning later, the Wahoos rallied for three runs to take the lead. Matt Kennelly singled to lead off the frame, stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher Hicks. Ryan LaMarre singled him home to make it 3-2. Ray Chang and Brodie Greene followed with singles to load the bases. LaMarre then scampered home on a passed ball to knot the game at three before Devin Lohman reached on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop as Gabriel Noriega’s throw to the plate to try and get Chang was wide, giving the Wahoos a 4-3 advantage. Pensacola was unable to scratch across any more runs as Donald Lutz grounded into a double play two batters later.
Tyler Burgoon (4-2) picked up the win by getting the final two outs of the seventh inning and then retiring the side in the eighth inning for the Generals. Jackson starter James Gillheeney went two innings before exiting the game due to unknown circumstances. Carson Smith picked up his 10th save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.
Daniel Renken started for Pensacola and posted another quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings. Wilkin De La Rosa (2-5) took the loss by allowing the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth. De La Rosa yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits in an inning plus three batters.
The series wraps up on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Recently named All-Star Josh Smith (7-6, 3.47) will take the ball for Pensacola against Jackson’s Chance Ruffin (4-3, 3.66).
story by Kevin Burke
Hundreds Run, Walk Firecracker 5K (With Results)
July 7, 2013
About 1,000 runners and walkers took part in the annual Firecracker 5K Saturday morning to benefit Pensacola’s Ronald McDonald House.
Preregistration had already raised $38,000 for the RMH prior to the start gun, with last minute registrations and sale of items like $7 Ronald McDonald socks.
Overall male finishers for the 5K were 19-year old Ryan Larson of Pensacola with a time of 17:07, followed by A.J. Ricketts at 17:19 and Jared Moore at 18:09. Top female finisher was 16-year old Rachel Kling of Pace at 19:17, followed by Samantha Gardner at 19:36 at Karen Trittschuh at 20:43.
For complete Firecracker 5K Run results, click here (pdf).
For complete Firecracker 5K Walk results, click here (pdf).
Wahoos Shut Out in Doubleheader
July 7, 2013
The Jackson Generals pitching staff limited the Pensacola Blue ahoos to a combined three hits in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning game one 3-0 before swiping game two 5-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038, the 18th sellout of the season.
Jackson starter Roenis Elias shut down Pensacola’s offense in game one, limiting the Wahoos to two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking just one. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the seven-inning contest before Travis Mattair led off the frame with a single. Elias improved to 5-7 with his 12th quality outing of the season.
The Generals provided all the offense they would need in the second inning against Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe. Jackson loaded the bases with nobody out against Crabbe and took a 1-0 lead on a John Hicks sacrifice fly. Denny Almonte followed with an RBI double before Gabriel Noriega made it 3-0 with another sacrifice fly to center.
Crabbe took the loss, falling to 3-7 by allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. Brian Pearl and Chris Manno tossed scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen.
Pensacola never put multiple runners on in any inning, and never had a runner move into scoring position. Carson Smith picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 seventh.
The story was more of the same in Jackson’s 5-0 win in game two. The Generals jumped on top with two runs in the top of the first against Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick with RBI base knocks coming from Steven Proscia and Ramon Morla. An inning later, Jack Marder scored on a wild pitch to put Jackson on top 3-0.
In the fourth inning, the Generals added to their lead against Dennick. With the bases loaded and one out, Proscia brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Morla followed with a single to left that Donald Lutz mishandled, allowing Chris Taylor to come around and score the fifth run of the game.
Dennick dropped to 4-10 on the year while going a season-low four innings. The southpaw allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Anthony Vasquez dominated the Wahoos again, much like Elias in the first game. Vasquez carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Marquez Smith singled to break up the no-hit bid. Vasquez picked up his first win in three starts with the Generals, allowing just one hit in six innings.
Combined in 14 innings, the Wahoos offense managed just three hits, five walks and never had a runner move past first base.
The series continues with the fourth game of five on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Daniel Renken (2-6, 3.87) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against Jackson southpaw James Gilheeney (3-3, 3.63).
story by Kevin Burke
Tri-County 12U Team Wins State Championship, Headed To World Series
July 6, 2013
The Tri-County 12-U All Star softball team is headed to the World Series after winning the Alabama State Babe Ruth softball championship.
The girls beat Covington County 14-5, Flomaton/East Brewton 13-5, Opp 25-14 and Poarch Creek 2-1 to make the state championship game. They brought home the title by defeating Andalusia 14-2.
The World Series is in Alachua, FL, August 1-7. The “Tri-County 12U Softball/Alabama State Champs account” has been established at the Santa Rosa Federal Credit Union for donations to help the team cover tournament fees, hotels, travel and food.
Pictured: (front, L-R) Haylee Watson, Avarie Jackson, Kendall Barrow, Kassadi Borders, (middle) Kolbi Bray, Malarie Foster, Katlynn Hobbs, (back) Coach Stephen Jackson, Kennedy Cato, Olivia Cook, Alyssa Baxley, Manager Stuart Baxley and Coach Kavin Borders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Friday Night Wahoos Game A Wash Out; Doubleheader Saturday
July 6, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos’ contest with the Jackson Generals scheduled for Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, July 6 starting at 5 p.m.
Fans with tickets to Friday night’s game can use their ticket for any 2013 regular season home game, subject to availability. Fans must exchange their ticket at least 24 hours in advance of a desired game at the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Ticket Office for a ticket of equal or lesser value. Exchanges must be made in person and cannot be processed via telephone, e-mail or facsimile.
Friday night’s scheduled Trent Richardson appearance has been cancelled.
Saturday’s doubleheader will feature two seven-inning contests starting a 5 p.m with a half-hour between the two games. Gates will open at 4 p.m. The first game will feature Tim Crabbe (3-6, 3.53) going for the Wahoos against the Generals’ Roenis Elias (4-7, 2.96). Ryan Dennick (4-9, 3.54) will get the call in game two for Pensacola while Jackson will counter with Anthony Vasquez (0-0, 4.22)
Molino Lady Astros Take On The Firecracker Classic
July 5, 2013
The 18U Molino Lady Astros finished as runner-ups recently in the Firecracker Softball Tournament at Pensacola’s Exchange Park.
Behind a strong offense and defense, the team held strong in throughout the tournament, despite a 2-1 loss to the Mississippi Ice in the finals. The 18U Lady Astros have made it to the finals the last three of four tournaments including a state championship.
The team is one more tournament away from the Southern Nationals in Mississippi.
Pictured: The Molino Lady Astros. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Beats Generals
July 5, 2013
Shaun Ellis dominated in his return to the rotation and the Blue Wahoos offense provided just enough support as Pensacola knocked off the Jackson Generals 2-1 on Thursday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of the 17th sellout crowd of the season.
Played in a swift 1:56, Ellis combined with relievers Josh Ravin and Trevor Bell to stymie the Generals throughout the contest. Ellis (3-1) allowed just an unearned run on one hit over his career-high seven innings pitched, retiring the final 12 batters he faced and 21 of the 23 hitters overall. The lone run the Generals scored against Ellis came in the top of the fourth inning when Chris Taylor walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop Devin Lohman and scored on a groundout from Ramon Morla.
The Wahoos hurlers carried a one-hitter into the eighth, facing just two over the minimum before Taylor singled with two outs, snapping a streak of 17 straight set down. Bell struck out Julio Morban to end the contest and sew up his fourth save of the year.
Pensacola had its hands full with Jackson starter Anthony Fernandez through the first five innings, but broke through in the sixth. Lohman reached on a dropped third strike to spark the rally before Yorman Rodriguez doubled him home to knot the game at one. Two batters later, Marquez Smith singled to right-center, scoring Rodriguez and giving Pensacola a 2-1 lead.
Fernandez fell to 5-4 on the year despite allowing only two runs on five hits in seven innings.
The series continues on Friday night at 7 p.m. Pensacola will go with right-hander Tim Crabbe (3-6, 3.53) while Jackson will counter with southpaw Roenis Elias (4-7, 2.96).
story by Kevin Burke
Wahoos Blast Two Homers For 5-3 Series Finale Win
July 4, 2013
No stranger to tight contests, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos found themselves on the right end of a 5-3 score over the Jacksonville Suns in the series finale at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Wednesday night. Pensacola ended up winning two of the five games in the set and moved to within a game of Jacksonville in the South Division standings.
The win wasn’t easy for the Wahoos, who had to survive another late Jacksonville rally to earn the victory. Pensacola held a 4-1 lead through five innings but saw Jacksonville fight its way back into the contest with solo tallies in the sixth and seventh. Zack Cox’s solo blast in the sixth inning made the score 4-2 before the Suns scored without the aid of a hit in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Wilkin De La Rosa induced a 5-2 fielder’s choice and appeared to have the final out of the inning but third baseman Travis Mattair bobbled a grounder to his left, allowing Noah Perio to score an unearned run and make it a one-run game. De La Rosa battled back to strike out Zack Cox and end the threat.
Jacksonville put two on in the eighth inning against De La Rosa, but Loek Van Mil entered out of the bullpen to get a groundout from Taylor Krick, preserving the 4-3 lead.
Ryan LaMarre gave the Wahoos some breathing room in the top of the ninth, blasting his fifth homer of the season, a solo shot, to give the Wahoos a 5-3 cushion. Van Mil came back in the last of the ninth and retired the Suns in order to pick up his seventh save of the year.
Pensacola scored first in the ballgame on a Devin Lohman single scoring Ryan LaMarre in the top of the third inning. Jacksonville countered in the bottom of the frame with a two-out RBI double from Danny Black to knot the score at one.
Marquez Smith put the Wahoos back on top in the fourth inning with a one-out homer to deep left-center field. It was Smith’s third homer of the season with Pensacola in just 17 games.
In the fifth inning, the Wahoos doubled their advantage with two unearned runs. Pensacola starting pitcher Josh Smith reached on an error by the third baseman Zack Cox with two outs, which opened the flood gates. Corey Wimberly singled to put runners on first and second before Yorman Rodriguez drove home Smith with an RBI single to right. Wimberly moved to third on the play and came home to score the eventual game-winning run on a balk by Jacksonville starter Jay Jackson, making the score 4-2.
Smith improved to 7-6 on the season by tossing his eighth quality start of the year. The right-hander allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out three to pick up his second straight victory.
Jackson fell to 2-7 on the year despite going seven innings. The Jacksonville right-hander allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits in his outing, striking out five and walking one.
The Wahoos now return home to start a five-game series with the Jackson Generals on Thursday afternoon. Pensacola will send Shaun Ellis (2-1, 3.76) to the bump against Jackson southpaw Anthony Fernandez (5-3, 5.27). First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. as the Blue Wahoos celebrate Independence Day at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
story by Kevin Burke
Buckmaster’s Life Hunt: Tate Student, Cancer Patient On National TV
July 3, 2013
Tate High School student Halee Boyd, who is continuing to fight a rare form of cancer, will appear on the Outdoor Channel this week.
A few months ago, Halee took part in the Buckmasters Life Hunt Classic 2013. Life Hunt is a wish-granting service for children and young adults with critical illnesses and diseases. The program was officially founded in 1998 to grant hunting wishes and has served hundreds of children and young adults to date.
The hunt took place at Sedgefields Plantation near Selma, AL. The plantation is considered to have some of the finest whitetail deer habitat in Alabama.
The Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine Classic Life Hunt show will including highlights from the hunt. It airs on the Outdoor Channel at 1 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Saturday.
Halee is battling Alevola Rhabdomyosarcoma , ARMS for short, a rare cancer of the muscles that are attached to the bones. There are only a few hundred new cases per year in the U.S.
Pictured top: Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters, Mardi Boyd and Halee Boyd at the Buckmasters Life Hunt Classic 2013. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 6-5 On Walk-Off Homer
July 3, 2013
Jake Marisnick belted a walk-off, two-run homer giving the Jacksonville Suns a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. It was the Suns’ second walk-off win over the Wahoos this series, and the win also secured the series victory for Jacksonville.
Pensacola was in control of the contest, leading 5-2 heading to the last of the eighth. Brian Pearl entered out of the Wahoos pen and promptly gave up a double to J.T. Realmuto and an RBI single to Zack Cox, slicing the deficit to two. Drew Hayes then came on and allowed Danny Pertusati to reach on a fielder’s choice. Pertusati moved from first to third on an errant pickoff attempt and scored on Ryan Fisher’s groundout.
In the ninth, Noah Perio led off with a single and after a failed bunt attempt from Michael Main, Marisnick crushed a no-doubt shot deep to left field for his 10th homer of the season. It’s the ninth time this season that the Wahoos have lost in walk-off fashion.
Hayes (2-2) blew his fifth save in five chances for Pensacola as he ended up allowing two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings. Collin Cargill (2-1) was credited with the win by firing two shutout frames to hold the Wahoos at bay in the eighth and ninth.
The four-run comeback marred a great start form Pensacola starter Daniel Renken. The right-hander’s lone mistake on the night was a two-run homer from Fisher in the last of the second to give Jacksonville a brief 2-1 lead. The right-hander induced a momentum-swinging 4-6-3 double play to thwart a rally in the last of the third and settled down from there. He allowed just four baserunners in his final 3.2 innings but had to settle for the no-decision despite allowing only two runs on five hits in 6.2 frames.
The Wahoos got off to a great start in the contest as Devin Lohman led off the game with a homer, his sixth round-tripper of the year, against Jacksonville starter Anthony DeSclafani. The Suns’ starter would retire the next 10 he faced though until running into massive trouble in the fourth.
Donald Lutz started the fourth-inning rally with a walk, before a Marquez Smith single put runners on the corners with one out. Danny Vicioso tied the game with an RBI single and then Travis Mattair followed with a go-ahead two-run triple to dead-center field. Theo Bowe would provide some insurance on a swinging bunt that DeSclafani couldn’t handle, allowing Mattair to score from third and giving the Wahoos a 5-2 lead.
Having already dropped the series, the Wahoos look to build some momentum in the series finale at 6:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola sends Josh Smith (6-6, 3.50) to the bump against Jacksonville’s Jay Jackson (2-5, 3.33).
story by Kevin Burke