Suns Walk Off With 8-5 Win Over The Wahoos
May 18, 2012
Following a 44 minute rain delay, the Jacksonville Suns walked off with an 8-5 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Thursday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The walk-off came right after the Wahoos got the game tied with a two-out run in the top of the ninth.
Both teams traded blows over the game’s first five innings. Jacksonville plated single runs in the first and second, before Pensacola put up two runs in each the third and fourth innings to go up 4-2. The Suns were quick to respond pulling within one in the bottom of the fourth before they got two in the bottom of the fifth capitalizing on back to back walks to open the inning.
The game stayed 5-4 until Pensacola rallied in the top of the ninth. Didi Gregorius singled with one out then stole second base before scoring two batters later on a two-out RBI double by Joel Guzman to even the game at five.
Jacksonville was able to get to Curtis Partch (2-3) in the ninth. Jake Smolinski led the inning off with a double. After an intentional walk to Kyle Skipworth, Shawn Bowman unloaded for his fourth home run of the year to send the Suns home 8-5 winners.
Guzman, Gregorius and P.J. Phillips led the Blue Wahoos offensively with a pair of hits each and Guzman added a pair of RBI while Gregorius scored two. The Wahoos perfectly executed a suicide squeeze in the top of the fourth when Gregorius scored from third on a bunt by Ryan LaMarre for the Blue Wahoos fourth run of the game. J.C. Sulbaran was charged with the first five Suns runs over four-plus innings. He allowed four hits, walked four and struck out five. Partch took the loss, his first since returning from Bakersfield. Despite allowing the tying run in the ninth, Evan Reed (2-1) earned the win for Jacksonville.
The series continues in Jacksonville on Friday when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander Tim Gustafson (1-0, 4.55) to the mound against Suns righty Bryan Evans (0-2, 4.41). First pitch is set for 6:05 central time.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos’ Joel Guzman had a pair of hits and RBI in against his former team. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview, Tate, Jay Release Football Schedules
May 16, 2012
Northview, Tate and Jay high schools have released their 2012 football schedules, and all three teams will have spring games this month.
Northview will have a full 11-game season this year, including seven home games. The Northview Spring Game will be this Thursday at 7 p.m. as the Chiefs host the Jaguars of West Florida High School. General admission is $6.
The Tate Aggies will begin their season at home against Pensacola High School on August 24. Tate will have a Crimson and Gray intersquad game at home this Friday at 6:30 p.m. and will travel to Washington High for a Spring Game on May 28 at 7 p.m.
The Jay Royals will travel just over half of the 2012 season, with their first three games on the road. The Royals will host Rocky Bayou Christian School in a Spring Game on May 24 at 6 p.m.
Schedules for the Northview Chiefs, Tate Aggies and Jay Royals are below.
LCpl Travis Nelson Scholarship 5K Trail Run Is Saturday
May 16, 2012
The Winged Warrior Centennial 5K this Saturday will benefit the LCpl Travis Nelson Scholarship Fund.
The United States Marine Corps and the University of West Florida Semper Fi Society will present the trail run to celebrate 100 years of Marine Corps Aviation. The run will take place at 7:30 a.m. Saturday on the University of West Florida nature trails. The race starts at the Multipurpose Field on the UWF campus.
Race proceeds benefit the LCpl Travis Nelson Scholarship Fund, named in honor of LCpl Travis Nelson of Bratt, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on August 19, 2011. The scholarship is presented to outstanding seniors in the Northview or Pace high school ROTC programs or outstanding students in the Young Marines of Pensacola.
Registration is $22. To register, click here.
Tate Senior Chase Carroll Honored By Escambia School Board
May 16, 2012
Tate High School senior Chase Carroll was recognized Tuesday night by the Escambia County School Board.
Carroll was honored for winning the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state 2A weightlifting championship in his weight class, as well as numerous academic achievements.
In April, Carroll’s total lift was at 655 pounds with a best bench of 380 and a best clean & jerk of 275. Carroll’s total lift was 20 pounds greater than the second place finisher in the state finals.
It was the third trip to the FHSAA finals for Carroll, who also excels off the bench. He has a 3.7 GPA, and is in the National Honor Society, BETA Club, Rho Kappa, FFA, is FCA president and has participated in football and track.
Pictured above: Tate Senior Chase Carroll is honored Tuesday by the Escambia County School Board. Pictured below: School Board members (L-R) Gerald Boone, Patty Hightower, Jeff Bergosh and Bill Slayton; Chase Carroll and Superintendent Malcolm Thomas. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Shuts Down B’ham 2-0
May 16, 2012
Pensacola starting pitcher Tim Crabbe, along with relievers Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph, combined for the team’s fourth shutout win, while pinch hitter Josh Fellhauer launched an eighth inning two-run homer to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-0 win over the Birmingham Barons on Tuesday night at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
The win gives the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 series victory and improves their record to 19-21, while the defeat drops Birmingham to a 21-19 mark in 2012.
Crabbe (7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) tossed his best outing of the year despite not receive a decision after yielding six hits in seven scoreless frames, while Partch and Joseph combined for two perfect innings of relief. Partch (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned the win and struck out two before Joseph (1.0 IP, 3 SO) notched his seventh save of the year after striking out the side in the ninth. Barons starter Jose Quintana (7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 SO) did not factor in the decision either despite allowing just two hits in addition to eight strikeouts in seven scoreless frames, while RHP Henry Mabee (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss after allowing the two earned runs on two hits in one frame.
Both offenses were held quiet until the eighth, when Fellhauer broke the scoreless draw with his second homer of the year. DH P.J. Phillips reached with a one out single up the middle before the pinch hitter came to the plate and launched the 0-1 pitch over the left field wall to make it 2-0.
Birmingham had a runner past second base once, with a solid defensive play in the fourth keeping them off the scoreboard. After Barons 1B Seth Loman led off the frame with a double, C Damaso Espino lined a single up the middle to Pensacola CF Ryan LaMarre. Loman was waived home on the play as LaMarre fired a strike home to C Mark Fleury, who held on to the ball after colliding with Loman to end the inning and prevent the run.
Loman and Espino were the lone batters to record multi-hit efforts for either side, while SS Tyler Saladino reached base three times via a free pass. No Blue Wahoos batters collected two or more hits, though LaMarre and SS Didi Gregorius each did make it on base twice.
Pensacola has an off-day Wednesday and will travel to Jacksonville in preparation for their five-game series with the Suns, with the opening game set for Thursday night at 7:35 ET.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Tim Crabbe fired seven shutout innings in the Blue Wahoos’ 2-0 win Tuesday night over Birmingham. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Barons Beat Blue Wahoos 8-4 To Even Series
May 15, 2012
Birmingham plated five runs in the top of the second inning, including a grand slam from third baseman Corey Smith, to lead the Barons to an 8-4 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Monday night at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
After Pensacola took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to part to DH Cody Puckett’s seventh home run of the season, Birmingham grabbed a lead they would not relinquish with a big second frame. CF Jared Mitchell led off the inning with a solo shot to left before the Barons loaded the bases with two walks and a single from 2B Jose Castro, which set the scene for Smith. The third baseman slugged the first pitch he saw down the left field line to clear the bases and give the Barons a 6-2 advantage.
The Blue Wahoos brought home single tallies in the fourth and fifth frames with 1B Joel Guzman leaving the yard for his fifth longball of the year in the fourth, while CF Ryan LaMarre singled and then was driven in on SS Didi Gregorius’ run scoring triple in the following frame. Birmingham would then plate additional insurance runs in both the sixth and seventh frames to increase the margin to 8-4.
LaMarre (2-3, 2 R, 1BB) and Guzman (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) accumulated two hits on the night for the Blue Wahoos, while no Barons hitters recorded a multi-hit effort.
Barons starting pitcher Pedro Hernandez (5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO) earned his fifth win in as many starts after allowing four earned runs on six hits in five frames, while relievers Brandon Kloess (3.0 IP, 5 SO) and Leroy Hunt (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined for the four perfect innings in support of Hernandez. Pensacola starter Daniel Corcino (5.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss after yielding six earned runs on five hits in his five innings pitched.
With the series now tied at 2-2, the Blue Wahoos and Barons will meet Monday evening for the rubber match with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at Pensacola’s bayfront stadium. RHP Tim Crabbe is scheduled to take the hill for Pensacola, while Birmingham is expected to send LHP Jose Quintana.
By Andrew Green
Wahoos Sweep Barons In Double Header
May 14, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were victorious over the Birmingham Barons in both games of their double header on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium, winning the first game 8-0 before taking the subsequent contest 4-2 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038.
Five Pensacola pitchers combined to shut out the Barons offense in the twin bill’s opener, which was the conclusion of Saturday night’s suspended game. RHP Kyle Lotzkar (6.1 IP, 2 H, 5 BB, 6 SO) earning the win after tossing 6.1 innings of two-hit ball, while also failing to yield a base knock in his first 5.2 frames. Birmingham LHP Nestor Molina (6.2 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss in the first game after allowing six earned runs on ten hits in 6.2 innings pitched.
The sixth through eight hitters in the Blue Wahoos lineup led the charge, hitting 8-for-10 in the contest with five runs, three doubles, a homer and three RBI. C Koyie Hill (3-3, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) provided the longball with a solo shot to left field in the fourth inning and also collected three hits, while OF P.J. Phillips (3-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) also recorded a three-hit effort. In addition, 2B Brodie Greene (2-5, 2 RBI) and RF Josh Fellhauer (2-3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) each tallied a pair of base knocks in the first contest.
Pensacola provided more power in the second game, with Fellhauer leaving the yard for his first roundtripper of the season in the opening frame to give the Blue Wahoos the early 2-0 advantage. The Barons however answered back with single tallies in the second and third frames thanks to 1B Seth Loman, who homered in the second before bringing home a score with an RBI single.
Both offenses would be silent until the sixth frame, when the Blue Wahoos made history with their first back-to-back home runs in the franchise’s history. After 3B Cody Puckett launched his team-leading sixth longball of the year, 1B Yordanys Perez followed with his first career roundtripper to put Pensacola ahead 4-2.
Blue Wahoos starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) did not receive a decision despite allowing just two earned runs on four hits in five frames, while relievers Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph were perfect in the final two innings in support of Serrano. Partch (1.0 IP) earned the win to improve to 1-2 with Pensacola and Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 SO) notched his sixth save of the year, fanning two in the last frame. Birmingham reliever Santos Rodriguez (3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-2 after yielding two earned runs in the final three innings.
The Blue Wahoos and Barons are slated to meet again Monday night, as Pensacola looks to clinch the series with a victory. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to take the mound for the Blue Wahoos, while Birmingham is expected to send LHP Pedro Hernandez to toe the rubber. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm at the bayfront stadium.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: C Koyie Hill went 3-3 with a HR in the first game of Pensacola’s twin bill sweep. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Leroy Dashes Flomaton’s Championship Dreams
May 13, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricane’s hopes for a state championship were dashed by Leroy Saturday as they completed a best two out of three series at Hurricane Park.
The Leroy Bears beat the ‘Canes 16-6 Saturday to advance to the Class 2A championship game. Friday afternoon, Flomaton beat Leroy 2-1, while Leroy turned around to beat Flomaton 2-1 in the nightcap.
The game was tied 6-6 at the end of four, but the Bears jumped out with five in the fifth, three in the sixth and another two in the seventh for the win.
Leroy plays a best two of three for the state championship Wednesday and, if necessary, Thursday in Montgomery against Mars Hill.
For more photos from both Friday and Saturday play, click here.
Pictured top: Leroy defeated Flomaton Saturday. Submitted photo by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Leroy Takes Playoff Series From Flomaton, 2 Games To 1
May 12, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes and the Leroy Bears split a doubleheader Friday in Flomaton, setting up a winner takes all third game Saturday morning a in the Class 2A baseball playoffs. Leroy took the series with a Saturday win, 16-6 over the Hurricanes.
Flomaton 2 — Leroy 1 (Game 1)
In game one, Zack Watson pitched his 10th complete game of the season, striking out seven, to lead the Flomaton Hurricanes to a 2-1 win over the Leroy Bears.
Watson allowed just four hits in the game at Flomaton’s Hurricane Park.
A single from Nick Sutton drove in Jacob Newton and Cody Nolan in the second for Flomaton (30-5). Leroy managed to score one in the fourth.
Leroy 2 — Flomaton 1 (Game 2)
In game two, Leroy turned the tables on Flomaton with a 2-1 Bears victory.
Leroy scored two times in the fourth inning with back too back singles, while the Hurricanes scored once in the inning.
Leroy 16 – Flomaton 6 (Game 3)
Leroy took Saturday’s deciding game 16-6 over Flomaton. Game details will be published Sunday morning.
Pictured: Flomaton takes on Leroy Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Alisa Hart, click to enlarge.
Escambia Schools Forced To Purchase New Football Helmets
May 12, 2012
The Escambia County School District is expected next week to approve the purchase of 451 high school football helmets for $60,885.
The purchase is necessary, according to the district, because a new national policy adopted by the Florida High School Athletic Association does not allow any helmet over 10 years old to be reconditioned. All helmets in the county are currently reconditioned and recertified each year for player safety. The rule was enacted over concerns about concussions and lasting injuries.
High school football programs typically pay for their own new helmets in Escambia County. But due to the high per school cost, the district will purchase the Riddell brand helmets and allow schools to repay the money in equal payments over three years.
At Northview High School, 28 of 64 total helmets will be replaced for a cost of $3,780. For the Tate Aggies, 55 of 464 helmets will be replaced for $7,425. At West Florida High School, the total cost will be $11,205 for the replacement of 83 of 129 football helmets.
Across the district, 46 percent of helmets are over 10 years old and will be replaced. The Escambia School District will piggyback on an Orange County Public Schools contract, saving an estimated $40,590 over the non-bid replacement cost.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.