Junior Ice Flyers Bring Home Tourney Wins Too
April 15, 2013
The Pensacola Ice Flyers may have brought home the President’s Cup and the Southern Professional Hockey League championship Sunday night, but they were not the only Ice Flyers to bring hockey championships back to their home ice at The Hangar and the Pensacola Bay Center.
The Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers Mite team also brought home several big tournament wins on the ice around the Southeast.
The Junior Ice Flyers win the Bob Gorman Freedom Memorial Tournament in Huntsville back in January, and they came in second in the Country and Western Showdown in Nashville back in March.
And at the recent Gulf Coast Meltdown Developmental Invitational in Biloxi, the younger Ice Flyers went 4-0 for the tournament on the strength of multiple players, including Liam Bryan of Cantonment (pictured inset) who scored 13 goals.
“There are multiple players who have scored or played great defense,” said Byran’s mom Jessica Bryan. “This is a great group of kids.”
Pictured: The Pensacola Junior Flyers Mite team in action. Photos courtesy Shaun Beal for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Teams Take Top Prizes In Log-A-Load Bass Tournament
April 15, 2013
A couple of Cantonment teams took the top prizes in the 17th Log-A-Load for Kids benefit bass tournament held Saturday at Life Oak Landing near Stockton, Ala.
Eddie Milstead and Toney Clements, both of Cantonment, took the $3,000 first place prize with a five-fish weight of 15.70 pounds and a 5.01 lunker prize. The cousins won the tourney back i n 2011 when it was held on the Escambia River.
Brothers Sammy and Shane Garrett of Cantonment took second with a 14.3 pound total weight and a 4.71 lunker.
Log-A-Load Top Ten (5 fish total weight, lunker weight):
- Eddie Milstead and Toney Clements (15.70, 5.01)
- Sammy Garrett and Shane Garrett (14.3, 4.71)
- Adam Ross and Matt Thornton (13.87, 4.68)
- Johney Weaver and David Fisher (13.12, 3.96)
- Keith Marston and Logan Marston (12.83, 3.65).
- Shane Manley and Kevin Zellers (12.72, 4.29)
- Mark Dortch and Bradley Dortch (12.33, 3.42)
- Greg Sessions and Ken Sessions (12.27, 3.66)
- Mark Rose and Terry Davis (11.75, 4.16)
- Sterling Johnson and Tim Taylor (11.38, 2.98)
All proceeds from the event benefit Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Pensacola. Log-A-Load is sponsored by the Florida Forestry Association and the Florida Loggers Council.
Mobile Battles Back To Win 5-2 Over Blue Wahoos
April 15, 2013
For the second straight day, the Mobile BayBears offense woke up late and rallied for a 5-2 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. With the victory, Mobile took four of five in the first series of the 2013 Bay to Bay Series.
Pensacola got on the board first for the fourth straight contest, as Donald Lutz singled home Bryson Smith as part of a two-out first-inning rally to put the Wahoos up 1-0. David Vidal extended Pensacola’s lead to 2-0 in the top half of the fifth with a two-out solo homer, his first of the season.
But the lead didn’t last long as Mobile finally got to Pensacola starter Ryan Dennick in the last of the fifth. After one-hitting the BayBears through four, Dennick loaded the bases on two singles and an error before yielding a two-run single to the opposing pitcher Bradin Hagens that knotted the game at two. Dennick was able to rebound and earned a no-decision, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits over six innings.
Mobile took the lead for good in the seventh against reliever Kyle Lotzkar. Garrett Weber was plunked by Lotzkar (0-1) with the bases loaded and one out to force home a run and give the BayBears their first lead at 3-2. Lotzkar went just one-third of an inning, yielding a run on three hits and hitting two batters. Lee Hyde came on to induce a 1-2-3 double play to get out of the jam.
The BayBears added extra insurance in the eighth when Rossmel Perez brought home two with a two-out single to increase the lead to 5-2.
Pensacola got the tying run to the dish in the ninth inning but Bo Schultz forced a groundout and a flyout to end the ballgame.
Hagens (2-0) picked up the victory for Mobile, tossing seven innings, allowing just the two runs on six hits while striking out five. Schultz picked up his first save of the season by pitching the ninth.
Pensacola now returns home for the first of five with the Jacksonville Suns on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Daniel Renken is set to start for the Wahoos with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Story by Kevin Burke
Mobile Comes From Behind To Upend Pensacola 5-2
April 14, 2013
The Mobile BayBears scored five runs over their final three at-bats and knocked off the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-2 on Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. With the win, Mobile clinched the series victory by winning three of the first four games in the five-game set.
Trailing 1-0 in the last of the sixth, the BayBears finally got to Pensacola starter Chad Rogers. Rossmel Perez led off the inning with a walk and stole second base to move into scoring position with two outs. Mike Freeman then drove him home with a solid single to left, knotting the game at one.
An inning later, Mobile took the lead for good with a two-run frame against reliever Loek Van Mil (0-1). Jon Griffin led off with a double, moved to third on a wild pitch and then scampered home on Van Mil’s second wild toss of the frame. David Nick then provided a solo shot for a 3-1 Mobile lead after seven. Van Mil pitched just one inning and gave up two runs on three hits for his first loss of the year.
The BayBears would add an extra two tallies in the eighth inning off reliever Chris Manno. Batting with the bases loaded, Griffin slammed his second double of the game, this time bringing home two runs to increase the Mobile advantage to 5-1.
Pensacola’s two runs came on two towering home runs. Travis Mattair led off the second inning with his second round-tripper of the year, which was the Wahoos’ only tally until Donald Lutz led off the ninth inning with a solo dinger to right to close to gap to 5-2. However, that was as close as Pensacola would get as Dan Cortes retired three of the next four hitters to give the BayBears the win.
Brett Lorin (2-0) picked up the win by pitching a scoreless seventh in relief of starter Anthony Meo, who made just the one mistake to Mattair over six solid innings in his second start at the Double-A level.
Rogers picked up a no-decision despite one-hitting Mobile through five frames. The right-hander ended up allowing a run on two hits over six innings and was saddled with a no-decision.
The Wahoos and BayBears wrap up their five-game series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Ryan Dennick (1-0, 3.60) will get the start for Pensacola against Mobile’s Bradin Hagens (1-0, 1.29).
Story By Kevin Burke
NHS Beats Baker, Earns No. 2 Seed In District Tourney
April 13, 2013
The Northview Chiefs shut out Baker 6-0 Friday night.
With the win, the Chiefs, at 8-2 in the district, secured the No. 2 seed at the district tournament beginning April 22 at Baker.
For the Chiefs, Kevin Vaughan threw seven innings, allow four hits, with striking out 18 with no walks. He was 2-4 at the plat with an RBI. Chad Smith was 2-4, with two runs; Chasen Freeman went 3-4 with a run and a double; Brannon Freeman was 1 -4, with a run and triple; Winston Riley went 1-3, with a run and one RBI; Daulton Tullis was 1-3 with a run; and David Burkett went 1- with two RBI and a double.
The Chiefs will round out their regular season with a couple of non-district games next week, hosting Escambia Academy on Monday and Flomaton on Tuesday. First pitch is 6 p.m. for both games.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
The ARGOS Take First In Destin Tournament
April 12, 2013
The 11-year old travel ball team “The ARGOS” took home first place in the recent USSSA tournament held in Destin. The team went undefeated in the two-day tournament. Team members are (top row, L-R) Trevor Norton, Cameron Bailey, TJ McCants, Chase Barcus, Sam Shackle, (bottom row) Cole Mullins, John Pinette, Jacob Bryant, Christian Munoz and Nathan Brewton. Coaches are Mike Norton, Levy Bryant and Matt Faust. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
BayBears Beat The Wahoos
April 11, 2013
The Mobile BayBears scored in four of their first five at-bats en route to a dominating 10-2 victory over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Wednesday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Mobile roughed up Pensacola starter Josh Smith (0-2) for six runs in two innings. Five of the first six batters reached for the BayBears in the first inning with RBI’s coming from Jon Griffin and Brent Clevlen and another run scoring on an error. It was a similar script an inning later as, again, five of the first six reached and Mobile scored three more runs. Griffin and Clevlen provided RBI’s in the frame and ended up driving in a pair apiece.
The BayBears added a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to salt the game away. Eight of the nine starters for Mobile recorded at least one base knock in the 16-hit onslaught.
Pensacola’s two runs came on a fourth-inning two-run homer from Brodie Greene, his first of the season. Greene extended his hitting streak to nine games dating back to last season in the process.
The Wahoos had great chances to get back into the game in the third and fourth frames. In the third, Pensacola loaded the bases with two outs, but Travis Mattair grounded into a fielder’s choice. In the next inning, the Wahoos had the bags packed for Donald Lutz, but he struck out swinging to end the threat.
Alexis Lara (1-0) picked up the victory in relief of starter David Holmberg for Mobile. Lara entered in the fifth inning and retired all nine batters he faced. Holmberg was limited to four innings due to a high pitch count and gave up two runs on six hits, walking three and striking out a trio of Wahoos.
The series continues on Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Hank Aaron Stadium. Tim Crabbe (0-0, 1.80 ERA) will get the start for Pensacola against Mobile’s Zeke Spruill (0-1, 3.00).
Story by Kevin Burke
Pictured top: Brodie Greene extended his hitting streak to nine games with a fourth-inning home run. Christopher Nelson photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northviews Earns Softball, Baseball Wins; Honors Senior Girls
April 10, 2013
Northview’s baseball and softball program picked up wins Tuesday.
In softball action, the Northview Lady Chiefs beat visiting Escambia Academy from Canoe, Ala., 9-4. The Lady Chiefs also honored their senior players on senior night (see below).
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
For a senior night photo gallery, click here.
In baseball action, the Northview Chiefs beat Freeport on the road 12-1 in a game called in the fifth due to the mercy rule.
Pictured top: Ariel Holland slides safely into home Monday in Bratt. Pictured below: Shaquanna Jones relieved Misty Doran on the mound for the Lady Chiefs. Pictured below: Northview senior softball players (L-R) Ashton Gibbs, Ashley Mooney, Ariel Holland, Shaquanna Jones, Samantha Johnson, Morgan Payne, Shelley Mothershed and Misty Doran. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Elliott, Kyles Qualify For State Weightlifting Meet
April 10, 2013
Northview’s Arkelle Elliott and LaMikal Kyles have qualified for the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee later this month.
Kyles finished second in the 183-pound class at the regional meet on recently at Arnold High School with a total of 535 pounds. Elliott finished fourth in the 199-pound class with a total of 565 pounds.
Also at the regional meet, Luke McDaniel and LaDerious Franklin finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 238-pound class.
Pictured: LaMikal Kyles at the recent regional state weightlifting meet. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Claim No. 1 Seed For District Tourney
April 9, 2013
The Northview Lady Chiefs claimed the No. 1 seed in the upcoming district tournament with a win over Bonifay Monday night.
The Lady Chiefs, now 10-1 in the district shut out Bonifay 11-0. Senior Morgan Payne had a home run for the Lady Chiefs.
The district tourney begins Monday in Chipley. The Chiefs will likely start with a bye and then play the winner of a Bonifay and Chipley game.