Mobile Evens Series With 6-2 Win Over Pensacola Wahoos
July 21, 2012
Mobile shortstop Chris Owings collected three base knocks and second baseman David Nick’s two-run double in the fourth proved to be the game-winner, while Pensacola shortstop Billy Hamilton recorded his 112th steal of the year as the BayBears defeated the Blue Wahoos 6-2 on Friday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
The victory for Mobile evens the series at 1-1 and improves the BayBears to a 13-15 record in the second half, while the Fish fell to 16-12 with the loss. A large contingent of Blue Wahoos fans were in attendance, many season-ticket holders who took advantage of a free bus trip and tickets for them from Pensacola.
The BayBears began the scoring in the opening frame, taking an early 2-0 advantage. Nick drew a free pass and Owings doubled before Nick came across on a groundout, while Owings scored on a sacrifice fly to center from 3B Matt Davidson.
The contest would be drawn even in the third, when Pensacola plated two tallies. Hamilton led off with a walk and stole second, ahead of CF Ryan LaMarre reaching on a hit by pitch, which was followed by back-to-back RBI singles from 1B Beau Mills and LF Donald Lutz.
The theft was the 112th of the year for Hamilton, placing him alone in seventh for the highest total in a single-season as the speedster continues to chase Vince Coleman’s Minor League Baseball record of 145. It was also the eighth steal for Hamilton with Pensacola after swiping 104 with High-A Bakersfield before his promotion late last month.
Mobile however, would answer back in the bottom of the frame and by taking advantage of a pair of Blue Wahoos errors. Owings reached on a base hit and RF Marc Krauss’ walked before Davidson reached on an error, with Owings scoring on the play, while Krauss came plateward on a second fielding miscue.
Owings ((3-4, 2 R) and 1B Ryan Strieby (3-4) each collected three base knocks in the contest for the BayBears, while LaMarre (2-3, 1 R) and Mills (2-4, 1 RBI) each tallied multi-hit efforts in the defeat. Mills with his hits has now reached base in all 25 of his games with Pensacola this year since being acquired on June 22 from the Cleveland Indians organization.
BayBears starting pitcher Chase Anderson (5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) earned the win after yielding two earned runs on six hits in his five innings of work. The bullpen trio of Frank Santana (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO), Eury De La Rosa (1.2 IP) and Evan Marshall (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) followed Anderson by combining to allow only one hit in the final four frames.
Blue Wahoos RHP Daniel Corcino (5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 7-5 on the year, while relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) and Brian Pearl (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) combined to fire the final three scoreless innings in support of Corcino.
With the series even at 1-1, Mobile and Pensacola will face off again Saturday night, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. at Hank Aaron Stadium. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is scheduled to get the nod for the Fish, while Mobile is expected to send LHP Chase Holmberg to the hill.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Ryan LaMarre tallied two hits in the Blue Wahoos’ 6-2 loss Friday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge
Bratt Basketball Camp Next Week With Former NBA Coach
July 20, 2012
The First Baptist Church of Bratt will host a basketball camp next week
The camp for children ages 8-14 will be held July 23-27 from 9 a.m. until noon at the church. Coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach will teach kids the fundamentals of basketball and Biblical awareness.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The cost $35 per student with scholarships available. For more information, contact Tim Hawsey at (850) 327-6529.
Pensacola Beats Mobile 8-6
July 20, 2012
Blue Wahoos right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded three hits and drove in four runs, including three on a fifth inning homer to right, while second baseman Brodie Greene also totaled three base knocks to lead Pensacola to an 8-6 victory over the Mobile BayBears on Thursday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
The win propelled the Fish to a 16-11 record in the second to maintain their tie for first in the Southern League’s South Division. The defeat dropped Mobile to a 12-15 mark since the league’s All-Star Break.ankHank
Pensacola got the scoring started in the opening frame to take an early 1-0 lead. CF Ryan LaMarre doubled to left, before he was sent home on 1B Beau Mills’ RBI double to deep center to put the Fish ahead. Mobile would then tie it at 1-1 an inning later thanks to CF Alfredo Marte’s leadoff solo homer to left.
The BayBears then took their first and only advantage of the contest in the fourth. Marte began the inning with a free pass, moved to second on a walk and third on a wild pitch, prior to being plate on a sacrifice fly to center by C Rossmel Perez.
A four-run fifth frame then pushed the Blue Wahoos ahead 5-2. After Greene singled, stole second and moved to third on an error, starting pitcher Kyle Lotzkar bounced a grounder up the middle to bring home Greene. Following LaMarre’s free pass, Fellhauer brought in Lotzkar and LaMarre with his three-run blast.
Mobile however, would even the game with a pair of tallies in each of the fifth and sixth innings. RF Marc Kruass reached on a base-on-balls, while 3B Matt Davidson was hit by a pitch before Marte plated Krauss with a single to center. Davidson subsequently scored on an RBI single by LF Bobby Borchering.
Following Greene’s RBI double in the top of the sixth, the BayBears drew the count even at 6-6 thanks to a two-run homer off the bat of Krauss. It was the 15th longball of the season for the left-handed slugger.
Single scores from the Blue Wahoos would then put away Mobile for good. Fellhauer drove in his fourth run of the contest in the seveht after SS Billy Hamilton reached on a base hit and got to second on a balk, while it was Hamilton’s run-scoring single in the following frame that gave Pensacola an additional insurance run.
Along with Fellhauer (3-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) and Greene (3-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI), Hamilton (2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) also recorded a multi-hit effort in the victory for Pensacola, while Marte (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB) and C Rossmel Perez (2-4, 1 RBI) each tallied two or more base hits for Mobile. Mills reached base in the contest to extend his team-high on-base streak to 24 straight contests.
Pensacola reliever Josh Ravin (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) earned the win in his Blue Wahoos debut, striking out three in his 1.2 shutout frames, while Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) notched his ninth save of the year. Mobile RHP Yonata Ortega (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 2-2 on the year after allowing two earned runs on two hits in his inning of relief.
The Blue Wahoos and BayBears will meet again Friday night in the second game of the series, with RHP Daniel Corcino slated to get the nod for Pensacola, while Mobile is expected to send RHP Chase Anderson to the hill. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. in Mobile.
Argos 10U Team Wins Nations Elite World Series
July 19, 2012
The Argos, a local 10U travel baseball team, recently won the Nations Elite World Series at NEP ballpark in Pensacola.
The Argo came back from a No. 4 seed to bring home the championship. Due to weather delays, the Argos played and won five straight games on Saturday.
In the championship game, Trevor Norton pitched a no hitter as the Argos outlasted the FB Bulls from Sugar Land, TX, 8-0. From the Argos, John Pinette was named Offensive MVP.
Pictured: The Argos (front, L-R) Trevor Norton, Nathan Brewton, Hunter Smith, John Pinette, Christian Munoz, (middle) Cameron Bailey, Sam Shackle, TJ McCants, Chase Barcus, Jacob Bryant, Cole Mullins, and (top) coaches Torianno McCants, Mike Norton, Levy Bryant and Tim Mullins. NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Opens New Canoe Launch
July 19, 2012
The Town of Flomaton has recently completed a new canoe launch on Big Escambia Creek. The entrance is located at the end of the guardrail on Highway 31west of the creek, across from Church’s Chicken.
Big Escambia Creek flows south into Florida and the Escambia River at Century.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Cheerleaders Earn Awards At Auburn Camp
July 18, 2012
The Northview High School cheerleaders received numerous awards during a UCA camp last week at Auburn University.
The junior varsity received all superior ratings as they competed in the small varsity division where they received second place in both cheer and extreme routine. Jadlyn Agerton received a gold superior ribbon in the jump contest. Agerton and Danielle Robinson were also chosen as UCA All-American cheerleaders.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The varsity also received all superior ratings and placed first in the large varsity division for cheer. Shaquanna Jones received a gold superior ribbon in the jump contest. Ashley Mooney, Katelynne Calloway, and Madison Arrington were all chosen as UCA All-American cheerleaders. Calloway and Arrington also received an invitation to try-out for UCA staff.
Ashton Gibbs, Northview’s mascot, received all superior ratings on her evaluations and was selected as the camp champion mascot.
The varsity also won the “Softlips Spirit Stick” for being the best dressed team at the summer splash pirates-themed pep rally.
On the second night of camp, Pryor Middle School and the UCA staff awarded both Northview teams with the coveted “Banana Award” for showing spirit.
Ariel Holland was hand selected by a UCA staff member for the “Pin it Forward” award. Morgan Ward was also pinned by another team’s cheerleader who felt she was positive and exhibited spirit.
Several girls received St. Jude’s pins for bringing in addresses and filling out letters to send to family and friends in order to raise money for the hospital.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Scroll down for squad photos and names.
Varsity
Members of the Northview varsity squad are (front, L-R) Ashley Cunningham, Ariel Holland, Ashley Mooney, Shaquanna Jones, (second row) Chloe Leonard, Courtney Weaver, Katelynne Calloway, Kamryn Brock, Madison Arrington, Hannah Gibson, (back row) Ali Martin, Mallory Ryan, Jessica McCullough, Kendal Cobb and Anna Fischer, Kristen Byrd.
Junior Varsity
Members of the NHS JV squad are (front, L-R) Rebekah Sepulveda, Lana Clayton, Samantha Barrow, (second row) Mariah Albritton, Lauryn Walker, (third row) Morgan Ward, Danielle Robinson, Kaylyn Garnet, Megan Bryan, (fourth row) Katie Born, Jadlyn Agerton, Dariane Guy, and (back) Shnala Banks.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Edges Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-4 In 10 Innings
July 18, 2012
Suns catcher Kyle Skipworth blasted two home runs and Blue Wahoos shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 110th base of the season, while four Jacksonville relievers combined to yield just two hits over the final four innings to push the Suns to a 5-4 extra-inning victory on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Jacksonville with the win improved to 12-14 in the second half, while the Fish fell to 15-11 since the league’s All-Star Break. The defeat combined with a Montgomery victory means the two teams are now tied for first in the South Division. Before the game, Woodham High School grad and current Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans was on hand to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
The Blue Wahoos and Suns combined for four longballs in the contest, with Skipworth launching a two-run shot in the second before striking the videoboard in right field with a solo blast two innings later. Six of Skipworth’s ten roundtrippers this year have come against Pensacola.
LF Donald Lutz and 3B David Vidal each left the yard for the Fish, with Lutz’s big fly coming in his first at bat with the club after being promoted from High-A Bakersfield earlier in the day. Lutz launched 17 longballs for the Blaze before joining Pensacola, while the roundtripper for Vidal was his fifth of 2012.
Hamilton reached on an infield single in the fifth before swiping his 110th base of the year, which ties him for the eighth highest single-season steal total in Minor League Baseball history with Maynard DeWitt’s mark from 1946. Hamilton, who is now 35 steaks away from Vince Coleman’s top mark of 145, would then come across on CF Ryan LaMarre’s RBI single to draw the contest even at 3-3.
The Suns however, answered back in the seventh when 1B Ben Lasater singled and moved to second on a free pass before being sent home on CF Donnie Webb’s run-scoring single to right. The Fish would then tie it again in the next inning when LF Josh Fellhauer walked and went to third on a Jacksonville error prior to C Tucker Barnhart’s clutch two-out single up the middle.
Jacksonville then plated the game-winning run in the first extra frame to take the series. SS Chris Gutierrez reached on a base knock and advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a passed ball to set up RF Kyle Jensen, who bounced a single in the hole between third base and shortstop to push the Suns ahead 5-4.
RHP Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) earned the win for Jacksonville to improve to 4-3 this season, while closer A.J. Ramos (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) notched his 12thh save of the year. Schmidt and Ramos combined with Jordan Conley (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Kyle Kaminska (0.1 IP) to give up only two hits in the final four frames. Pensacola reliever Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 6-2 in 2012.
Skipworth (2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Gutierrez (2-5, 1 R) each tallied two hits in the contest for the Suns, while LaMarre (2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and Rojas (2-5) collected multi-hit efforts in the defeat.
The Blue Wahoos have an off-day Wednesday before heading to Mobile for a four-game series with the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the series opener slated for a 7:05 p.m. start.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Perdido Gators Win Beachside Blast Tournament
July 17, 2012
The Perdido Gators wonUSFA Beachside Blasttournament this past weekend in Pace.
The 14U girls fast pitch softball team went undefeated this past weekend, allowing a total of only six runs throughout the tournament. Area girls from Northview, Tate, West Florida, Escambia, Pace, and Gulf Breeze high schools make up the Perdido Gators softball team.
The Gators will be headed to Orlando in August to compete in the USSSA World Series.
Pictured: Members of the Perdido Gators (bottom row, L-R) Ashley Young, Kota Berry, Sara Spears, Kristin Gunter, Morgan Peppers, (top row) Lauren Brennan, Angel Lathan, Olivia Printiss, Sydney Ezelle, Ali Cutaio, Mallory Ryan. Coaches are Tracey Ezelle, Greg Spears, Eddie Ryan, and Jeff Cutaio. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suns Shut Down Wahoos 2-1
July 17, 2012
Jacksonville starting pitcher Graham Taylor held the Blue Wahoos to just three hits in six shutout innings of work, while catcher Kyle Skipworth launched his eighth homer of the year in the sixth, as the Suns defeated Pensacola 2-1 on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the victory, Jacksonville improved to an 11-14 record in the second half and take a 2-1 lead in the series, while Pensacola fell to 15-10 since the league’s All-Star Break.
Taylor (6.0 IP, 3 H, 4 SO) held the Fish bats quiet throughout his six solid frames, yielding just three hits while fanning four to earn the win and bump his season tally to 5-8. Relievers Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) and A.J. Ramos (1.0 IP, 1 SO) each fired a scoreless inning of relief in support of Taylor, with Schmidt notching his seventh hold and Ramos his 11th save. Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 6-7 on the year.
Jacksonville struck first in the third for the early 1-0 lead. Taylor began the frame with a leadoff single to left before LF Jake Smolinski walked and SS Chris Gutierrez singled to load the bases for 3B Paul Gran. With a full count, Gran took the payoff pitch outside for ball four to bring home Taylor and push the Suns ahead. Jacksonville would then double their advantage in the sixth when Skipworth launched his eighth home run of the year over the right field fence.
Pensacola would then plate their lone score in the following frame thanks to a longball of their own. 1B Beau Mills mashed the 1-0 pitch to deep right field, putting the scoreboard in jeopardy for his seventh homer of the year. It was the second roundtripper in as many nights for Mills, and his fifth in the month of July.
Taylor (2-2, 1 R) and Gutierrez (2-4, 1 BB) each collected a pair of hits for the Suns in the win, while Mills (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record a multi-hit effort. Taylor had come into the contest hitless in his first 18 at bats this year before reaching on singles in both appearances Monday night.
Jacksonville and Pensacola will meet Tuesday night for the final time this year, with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. The Fish are slated to send RHP Wirfin Obispo to the mound for the series finale, while the Suns are expected to give the nod to RHP Matthew Neil.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Go Little Chiefs: Northview Plans Mini Cheerleading Clinic
July 16, 2012
The Northview High School cheerleaders will host a mini cheerleading camp for children age 4 through the eighth grade.
The camp will be held from 3 until 5 p.m. on July 25, July 26 and August 2.
The cost will be $30 for camp and $10 for a shirt. The shirts will be slightly different than last year’s, but will not be required. Registration begins at 2:30 on July 25.
Camp attendees will learn chants, cheers, stunts and a dance. Refreshments will be be provided. Parents are invited to see their child’s performance on August 2, and they will also perform at the first home Northview Chiefs football game. A review session date will be scheduled prior to the football game performance.
For more information, contact Megan or Tammy at (850) 327-6681 or any Northview cheerleader.
Pictured: Northview High mini cheerleaders perform last football season. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.