Huntsville Homers Past The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-2
July 26, 2012
The Stars slammed four home runs, including two from first baseman Hunter Morris and one each from left fielder Khris Davis and right fielder Kentrail Davis, as Huntsville powered past the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-2 on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory was the fourth in a row for the Stars, who improve their record in the second half to 15-17. The defeated dropped the Fish to a 18-14 mark since the league’s All-Star Break. The team wore Reds jerseys for the contest in honor of the club’s affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds, while fans in attendance also wore red.
Pensacola got the scoring started in the opening frame to take the early 1-0 lead. SS Billy Hamilton drew a free pass and subsequently swiping second for his 113th steal of the year before moving to third on an error and home on an RBI single by RF Bryson Smith. The theft means the speedster is now 32 steals away from Vince Coleman’s all-time mark of 145, which he set in 1983 with Single-A Macon.
Huntsville would then launch their first homer of the contest in the next inning, when Morris led off the second with a solo shot to right. The left-handed slugger then mashed his second longball of the evening in his next at bat in the fourth to up his season total to 18. Kentrail Davis followed Morris with a solo blast of his own to combine for back-to-back jacks. A third Stars tally would come across in the fourth thanks to a Blue Wahoos error to make it 4-1.
The fourth and final Stars shot would come in the fifth, when Khris Davis deposited the first pitch of the at bat to left for his sixth roundtripper of the year, extending the advantage to five. Pensacola pinch hitter Josh Fellhauer cut the deficit to three in the fifth, scoring 3B David Vidal from third, but Huntsville answered right back in the sixth with a run-scoring single by SS Tommy Manzella to complete the scoring.
Morris (2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB) was the lone Huntsville hitter to collect two or more hits in the contest, while Smith (2-4, 1 RBI) also recorded a multi-hit effort for the Blue Wahoos. 1B Beau Mills drew a free pass in the sixth to extend his team-record on-base streak to 28, accounting for every game he has played for Pensacola this year.
Stars starter Johnnie Lowe (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) earned the win after yielding just two earned runs on four hits in his five innings of work, while the relief trio of Dan Meadows (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO), Darren Byrd (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Brandon Kintzler (1.0 IP, 1 H) combined for the final four shutout frames. Pensacola RHP Kyle Lotzkar (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 4-5, as Josh Ravin (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO), Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 2 SO) and Chris Manno (1.0 IP, 2 SO) totaled seven strikeouts in the last three innings.
The two teams are scheduled to meet again on Thursday evening, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. RHP Daniel Corcino is slated to toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos, while Huntsville is expected to counter with RHP Josh Stinson.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Pensacola’s Billy Hamilton stole his 113th base of the season in Wednesday’s 6-2 loss to Huntsville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Mini Cheerleading Camp Begins Today
July 25, 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.
Local Twirler Places Second In National Baton Competition
July 25, 2012
Colbi Kendall of Flomaton recently took part in the National Baton Twirling Competition on the campus of Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana.
She placed second in the 2-baton 12-year old division, missing the title by one-tenth of a point. She competed against 33 girls from across the U.S. and Canada.
“Twirling is my life, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t twirl,” Kendall said.
Kendall is the daughter of Keith and Alissa Lodge. She twirls with the Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers under the instruction of Melissa Majors.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Huntsville Downs Wahoos 6-1
July 25, 2012
Huntsville starting pitcher Hiram Burgos tossed a nine-inning complete game, while left fielder Khris Davis and and first baseman Hunter Morris each blasted two-run homers, as the Stars defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory improved the Stars’ record in the second half to 14-17, while the loss dropped the Fish to an 18-13 mark since the league’s All-Star Break. The capacity crowd was the 32nd of the year for the Blue Wahoos in their 50th home opening of the season. Before the game, the Blue Wahoos and Cincinnati Reds announced a four-year extension to their Player Development Contract, meaning Pensacola will be affiliated with the Reds through the 2016 season.
The lone hiccup for Burgos (9.0 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) came in the opening frame, when he gave up a solo home run to left off the bat of CF Ryan LaMarre, the outfielder’s second roundtripper in a three game span. It was also the fifth longball of the season for LaMarre.
From that point on, the Stars’ hurler did not allow a runner past second, giving up the lone earned run on eight hits while fanning one in his nine frames. It was also the first complete game in Burgos’ professional career, who improved to 6-1 on the year.
Pensacola starting pitcher Tony Cingrani (5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss, snapping his four-game winning streak that dated back to June 27. Relievers Brian Pearl (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 SO), Mark Serrano (1.0 IP) and Chris Manno (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) all combined to give up just one hit in the final 3.2 scoreless frames.
Huntsville took the lead they would not give back in the fourth, with the first of their two big flies. With two outs, 2B Scooter Gennett doubled to right, before Davis deposited the first pitch he saw over the right field line to move the Stars ahead 2-1.
They would then plate two tallies in the next two innings to extend the margin to five. RF Kentrail Davis doubled and C Anderson De La Rosa walked in the fifth, before CF Josh Prince sent both home with a triple to right center. Morris in the following frame then mashed his 16thh homer of the year to right to end the scoring for Huntsville.
Kentrail Davis (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) and Khris Davis (2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) each recorded multi-hit efforts in the victory for the Stars, while LaMarre (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and LF Donald Lutz (2-4) both accumulated two hits. 1B Beau Mills reached base with a single to extend his on-base streak to 27, as well as his hit streak to seven.
With Huntsville leading the series 1-0, the two clubs will meet Wednesday night for the second game of the five-game set, with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is expected to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while the Stars are scheduled to counter with RHP Josh Stinson.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Andrew Green for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Get Deal Extension With The Cincinnati Reds
July 25, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos joined with executives of the Cincinnati Reds organization today to announce the signing of a four-year extension of the Blue Wahoos’ player development contract with the Reds.
The agreement extends the existing one year contract because of the overwhelming success of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos organization, according to Reds management. Typically, PDC’s are extended for two or four years at a time, and in some cases, not at all. The four-year extension is seen as a sign of the confidence the Reds have in the Blue Wahoos ownership and organization, as well as the community support for the team.
“We have been very extremely impressed with the operation in Pensacola, from the terrific new facility to the first-class treatment of our players by Quint Studer, Bruce Baldwin and their entire front office and gameday staffs. We appreciate that they are as interested as we are in extending our agreement for at least 4 more years, because our relationship is a very good one,” said Walt Jocketty, Reds President of Baseball Operations and General Manager.
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward welcomed the news as further evidence of the community’s progress.
“Throughout this season, we have built a great relationship with the Reds and the city of Cincinnati,” said Hayward. “The Blue Wahoos have quickly become another reason why Pensacola is a great place to live, work, and play, and this exciting announcement is the latest win in a very successful debut season. I want to thank Reds owner Bob Castellini and his front office for their confidence and investment in Pensacola and our Blue Wahoos.”
Wahoos owners Quint and Rishy Studer said the contract agreement is a win-win for the fans, the city of Pensacola, the Cincinnati Reds and the Wahoos.
“We are excited to build upon the success of this first year,” said Quint. “Rishy and I have always worked hard in our business and philanthropy efforts to improve the community, and we are happy that the Reds see this endeavor in the same light. We are grateful to the Reds’ organization for this extension, and they were a joy to work with. Our negotiations were open, never contentious and we achieved a win-win for everyone. The Reds are a great program to be a part of, and we really appreciated their collegial, upfront, and forthright approach,” said Studer.
The Reds organization commended the Wahoos organization for its positive effect on the community, the support of the fans selling out numerous home games, and the quality players on the team, some who have been called upon to compete in the Major League.
Currently the Pensacola Blue Wahoos are in a tight race with the Montgomery Biscuits and the Mobile BayBears for first place within the Southern League South Division Double-A league. The playoffs will begin in September.
Pictured: Reds owner Bob Castellini speaks at Tuesday’s press conference. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Student, Football Player Killed In Wreck
July 24, 2012
An Escambia Academy student and football player was killed in a two vehicle crash Monday afternoon in Crenshaw County, Ala.
Noah B. Allison, age 17 of Troy, was killed when his 2011 Chevrolet Camaro collided with a 1998 International semi truck hauling batteries that was driven by 61-year old James R. Barnett of Banks, Ala. Barnett was treated and released.
The accident happened about 4:45 p.m. on Highway 29 near Goshen Road in Crenshaw County, about three miles east of Luverne, Ala..
Allison recently transferred from Charles Henderson High School in Troy to Escambia Academy near Atmore, following EA’s new head football coach Hugh Fountain. Allison was a lineman last season for the Charles Henderson Trojans under Fountain’s leadership.
The accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
Penalties Hit Home For Northview Senior, Penn State Recruit
July 24, 2012
The massive penalties handed down against Penn State on Monday are hitting home for a local high school football player.
Neiko Robinson, a senior at Northview High School, made a verbal commitment to Penn State and coach Bill O’Brien back in early June. But ESPN reported Monday that he now says he will have to look at other options.
In the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, the NCAA fined Penn State $60 million, banned them from bowl games for four years, cut 40 scholarships over four years and wiped out all of the Nittany Lions’ victories from 1998 to 2011.
“It’s a good school,” Robinson said about Penn State shortly after his verbal commitment. “They are building their program again to be what it used to be in the past. I like where the coaching staff is going. They want guys that can be game changers, and I think I can do that on the defensive side.”
But for now, Robinson will continue to focus on what looks to be a winning season for the Northview Chiefs.
“I’m looking for the state championship,” Robinson said.
Robinson is transferring from the nearby Flomaton Hurricanes, where was part of last season’s 11-2 team. He racked up 93 tackles and returned three interceptions for touchdowns last year for the ‘Canes.
Chiefs Volleyball Attends Camp
July 24, 2012
The Northview High School varsity volleyball team recently attended the University of West Florida volleyball camp. The three-day camp focused on improving technique and skills with coach Kyle Peck from Gulf State Community College.
The Northview Lady Chiefs placed third in their tournament bracket.
Pine Forest’s Brown Sets School Pole Vault Record
July 23, 2012
A Pine Forest High School senior set a new school pole volt record Saturday during a street competition in Mobile.
Kelly Brown set the record of 13.9 feet during the 1st Annual Dauphin St. Street Vault event.
“I am happy to be doing so well and would like to eventually surpass 15 feet before the end of this school year,’ said Brown, who hopes to earn a track scholarship to the University of South Alabama.
Over 70 athletes took part in Saturday’s pole vault event in downtown Mobile in front of a crowd of several hundred people.
Pictured top: Pine Forest’s Kelly Brown prepares for a pole vault jump Saturday during a pole vault event on Dauphin Street in Mobile. Pictured inset: Brown’s winning vault. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Shut Out BayBears 1-0 To Take Series
July 23, 2012
Five Blue Wahoos pitchers combined to bewilder BayBears batters to just two hits, while right fielder Josh Fellhauer drove home shortstop Billy Hamilton from first in the eighth for the game’s only tally of the contest as Pensacola shut out Mobile 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
The win improved the Fish’s second half record to 18-12 to guarantee at least a share of first place in the Southern League’s South Division with the Montgomery Biscuits. Mobile fell to 13-17 since the Southern League’s All-Star Break. The win gave the Blue Wahoos their ninth series victory in their last ten series dating back June 7-10 at Birmingham and their ninth shutout victory of the year.
Both teams were held scoreless until the eighth, when Pensacola plated the only score of the contest. Hamilton reached on an infield single, his third base knock of the contest, before coming around to score from first on Fellhauer’s double down the right field line.
After yielding just three hits last night, the Fish held BayBears batters to just two base hits in the series finale. Pensacola starter Wirfin Obispo (5.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 SO) allowed just three base runners, including only one hit while striking out six in his scoreless five frames in his second start of the year.
Blue Wahoos relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO), Drew Hayes (0.2 IP, 2 SO), Brian Pearl (1.0 IP, 1 H) and Curtis Partch followed Obispo by combining for the final scoreless innings. Pearl earned the victory to bump his record to 1-1 this year, while Partch notched his sixth save in as many opportunities by tossing the last two frames.
BayBears starter Derek Eitel (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) also did not factor in the decision after giving up five hits in his six scoreless frames, while LHP Eury De La Rosa (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 3-2 after allowing the game’s only run.
Mobile’s biggest threats to score came in the first and sixth frames, when the BayBears stranded a runner at third. CF Evan Fry led off with a walk and moved to third on a groundout, before RF Alfredo Marte was retired to end the frame. Fry again walked in the sixth and stole both second and third, but Hayes came on and struck out the next two hitters to end the potential peril.
Hamilton (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B) recorded a game-high three hits in the victory, while CF Ryan LaMarre (2-4) and 2B Brodie Greene (2-4) also collected multi-hit efforts in the win. Hamilton has now reached base in all 11 of his contests with Pensacola, tallying hits in all but two of those games, while Greene finished the four-game series with a .500 average (8-16) versus Mobile.
Following an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos will return to action on Tuesday night to begin a five-game series with the Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium, with both teams’ starters not yet announced for the series opener.
Fans attending Tuesday night’s contest are asked to wear red to the ballpark in honor of Pensacola’s affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds. Several Reds top front office members are also expected to be attendance, including General Manager Walt Jocketty, while the Blue Wahoos will be wearing authentic Reds uniforms.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Wirfin Obispo fanned six and allowed just one hit in his five solid frames Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.