Subway High School All-Star Fans Donate 1,200 Pounds Of Food
June 1, 2012
The 2011-12 Subway High School All-Star Series Presented by the Andrews Institute was more than just playing sports, recognizing tremendous athletes, and having fun; it was about helping a great cause and helping feed the hungry. Over the five all-star events – volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, and baseball and softball – fans attending the games donated more than 1,200 pounds of food at the gate to be given to the Manna Food Pantry.
Fans were encouraged to bring canned good items and non-perishable foods to the games to receive a discount off the ticket price. After each all-star game, the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) delivered the food to the Manna Food Pantry located in downtown Pensacola.
Manna Food Pantry distributes their food in bundles big enough to feed a person for five days. The 1,200 pounds of food is equivalent to feeding up to 40 people for five days.
“The PSA’s slogan is ‘Sports…More Than Just a Game!’,” said PSA’s Executive Director Ray Palmer. “We are proud of the Subway High School All-Star Series, its fans, parents, and supporters to help us further promote our mission and help other organizations and people who are in need.”
The 2012-13 Subway High School All-Star Series will begin in November, 2012 with the all-star volleyball game. Dates and venues of all the all-star events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Blue Wahoos At Jackson Generals Postponed Due To Rain
June 1, 2012
Thursday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Jackson Generals has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will close out their five-game series with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:05 p.m.
Both games will be seven-inning contests. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The pitching matchups for each game have not yet been determined.
The Blue Wahoos will return home following the game to begin their five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
Blue Wahoos Beat Jackson
May 31, 2012
Kyle Lotzkar (2-1) had more than enough run support as the Blue Wahoos scored all seven of their runs over the game’s first three innings on Wednesday afternoon at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Lotzkar went on to have one of his best starts of the season by matching his season high for strikeouts with eight over six innings.
Pensacola got on the board when Josh Fellhauer singled home Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first putting the Wahoos in front 1-0. They added some cushion with two more in the second on Mark Fleury’s RBI double and an error on a batted ball by Brodie Greene later in the inning. The Blue Wahoos opened it up with a four-run third that included Fleury’s second RBI double of the game. He also scored later in the inning. All seven runs were charged to the Generals’ starter Taylor Stanton (0-1) who ended up taking the loss.
Meanwhile, Lotzkar pitched very well on his way to earning the win for Pensacola. This was his first start during his time with the double-A club that he didn’t issue a walk. He also matched his overall season high with eight punchouts, something he hadn’t done since his first start of the season on April 9 while pitching with Bakersfield (advanced-A). He allowed just two runs in the fourth inning when he gave up back-to-back extra base hits to Kalian Sams (double) and Chih-Hsien Chiang (triple) to start the inning.
P.J. Phillips joined Fleury with a multi-hit game by going 2-for-5. He also scored a pair of runs and drove in one.
The series continues on Thursday night at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-2, 3.50) to the mound against Jackson righty Brandon Maurer (2-1, 4.38).
Pictured: Kyle Lotzkar yielded just two earned runs over six innings as the Wahoos beat Jackson 7-3 Wednesday in Tennessee. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.
NCAA Div II National Volleyball Championship To Be Held In Pensacola
May 30, 2012
The 2012 NCAA Div. II Volleyball National Championship Tournament will be held in Pensacola, hosted by the Pensacola Sports Association in partnership with the University of West Florida.
Eight teams will make their way to Pensacola to play in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and national championship rounds. All games will be played at the University of West Florida Field House from Thursday, December 6 to Saturday, December 8.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to again showcase Pensacola and UWF’s facilities to the qualifying schools,” said PSA Executive Director Ray Palmer. “We’re fortunate to have such a great working relationship with UWF which allows us to win the hosting bids for these prestigious NCAA athletic events.”
This is not the first time Pensacola will host a NCAA national championship. In 2006, PSA and UWF hosted the NCAA Div. II Fall Festival which featured national championships in Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Field Hockey, and Women’s Volleyball. Additionally, in 2011, PSA and UWF again partnered to host the 2011 Men’s and Women’s Soccer National Championships played at Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex.
“The PSA has been a great partner in recruiting these national events,” said UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott. “Only a select number of communities get the opportunity to host NCAA championships. We’re looking forward to once again showcasing UWF and the Pensacola community.”
Former NHS Quarterback, Three Other Teens Arrested
May 30, 2012
The former quarterback for the Northview High Chiefs and three other teens were arrested late Monday night on underage alcohol and drug charges.
Brandon Lee Sheets, age 18 of Century; Taylor Christiane McCurry, age 18 of Molino; Dakota Ray Smith, age 19 of Molino; and John Everette, age 18, of Atmore, were each charged with possession of alcohol under 21 years of age, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. All four were released from the Escambia County Jail on $1,500 bond each.
Sheets quarterback for the 2012 Northview High School Chiefs. He was suspended from his final game in the state playoff series by the Florida High School Athletic Association for alleged taunting, forced to sit out a state semifinal game against Chipley.
Late Monday night, an Escambia County deputy reported finding the teens in the area of 7200 Plantation Way, behind the former University Mall. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the deputy reported finding a two small baggies containing marijuana, a brown plastic marijuana cigarette, a “rolling device”, rolling papers, a homemade smoking device made from a Keystone beer can and a bottle of Southern Comfort that was about half full. The deputy also reported finding a small portable air compressor in the vehicle that he believed to be used in conjunction with the smoking device, according to arrest reports.
All four individuals admitted to possession of alcohol, according to arrest reports, but all four denied any knowledge of the marijuana or the drug paraphernalia.
All four were charged, the arrest report states, because one baggie of the marijuana and the rolling papers were in plain view in the center area of the vehicle.
Generals Hand The Pcola Wahoos Their Second Straight Loss
May 30, 2012
The Jackson Generals used a pair of solo home runs for some much needed insurance as the Blue Wahoos lost their second straight to Jackson 4-2 from Pringles Park.
Pensacola got on the board first with an RBI double from Brodie Greene plating Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first. Jackson wasted no time answering with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Martinez came home from third on a sacrifice fly to center by Denny Almonte. Joe Dunigan followed that with a double and came home a batter later on Jesus Sucre’s single giving Jackson the lead.
Chih-Hsien Chiang hit his first home run of the year in the fourth, a solo blast while Kalian Sams hit his fourth big fly of the year in the sixth. The insurance runs proved necessary as the Blue Wahoos tacked on a run in the fifth. Joel Guzman singled home Didi Gregorius but that was the last of the offense. David Vidal grounded into an inning-ending double play a batter later leaving the tying run at third. The Wahoos only had one baserunner the rest of the game.
Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (L, 3-4) was charged with the loss after allowing all four Generals runs over six innings. He walked just one and struck out three. Steve Garrison (W, 3-1) earned the win for the Generals. He was allowed both Blue Wahoos runs on seven hits over six innings. Steven Hensley (S, 2) picked up the save by striking out the side in order in the ninth.
The two teams meet in a matinee on Wednesday at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (1-1, 1.10) to the mound against Jackson right-hander Taylor Stanton (2-1, 6.08 w/Advanced-A High Desert).
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Dobson Takes Master’s Division In Eglin Run
May 29, 2012
Matt Dobson of Jay was the overall Master’s winner in the Memorial Day Gate to Gate 4.4 Mile Run/Walk at Eglin Air Force Base Monday. Dobson also placed sixth overall in the 27th annual event.
The 41-year old Dobson’s winning time was 24:21. The overall winner was Ben Payne of Ft. Walton Beach with a time of 22:06.
According to official race results, there were no other North Escambia area runners that finished the event.
Wahoos Drop Road Trip Opener
May 29, 2012
Jackson used a pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead, and they never looked back as the Blue Wahoos opened their road trip with a 5-0 loss to the Generals at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
The Generals got on the board when Denny Almonte doubled home Nick Franklin who had tripled in the previous at bat. Almonte came home later in the inning on a base hit by Jesus Sucre.
Almonte struck again in the fifth with a two-run home run off of Blue Wahoos starter Tim Gustafson (2-2). Gustafson was charged with all five Generals runs after working 5.2 innings. Despite striking out a season-high seven batters, the Blue Wahoos starter was still tagged with the loss.
Offensively Ryan LaMarre, Didi Gregorius and Yordanys Perez all collected two-hit games. The Wahoos matched the Generals with nine hits but went 0-for-10 collectively with runners in scoring position.
Danny Hultzen (5-3) worked six shutout innings in the win. He walked two, struck out five and matched his season high allowing five hits.
The two teams continue the series on Tuesday when Pensacola sends right-hander J.C. Sulbaran to the mound against Jackson lefty Steve Garrison (2-1, 3.00). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Gustafson struck out a season high eight batters Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.
Boots On The Ground: Escambia Men To Run Pcola Marathon For Wounded Warrior Project
May 28, 2012
On November 11, 2012, a pair of friends — one a dedicated Army veteran and the other a civilian — will be two of nearly 1,600 people running the Pensacola Marathon.
However, Brad King and Alan Moses will not be wearing the normal athletic running gear associated with a 26.2 mile race. Rather, they’ll be running the Pensacola Marathon in military boots and a 50 pound ruck sack in an effort to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.
“This challenge is my attempt to say ‘Thank You’ to these heroes,” commented Brad King, former Army Ranger. “Without these men and women who selflessly continue to leave their families at home and put themselves in harm’s way, we would not be the strong and proud Country we are today.”
The Pensacola Marathon, a Boston Marathon Qualifier, also features a half marathon course (13.1 miles). Runners are greeted by a beautiful sunrise over Pensacola Bay as the course winds through historic neighborhoods, the downtown district, views of Pensacola Bay, and finishes at Veteran’s Park, home to the country’s only replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Alan Moses is a lifelong resident of Gulf Breeze, a small coastal community between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. “When Brad approached me about running the Pensacola Marathon with a 50 pound ruck sack, AND wearing boots, I told him he needed to start wearing more sunscreen,” Moses jokingly commented. “However, after much thought and research, I realized there could not be a more appropriate way to offer up my gratitude to those who have sacrificed so much to defend the freedoms I often take for granted.”
People can contribute to the fundraiser by visiting the events website at www.marathonpensacola.com or by e-mailing Brad King at bradwick.king@yahoo.com.
The Wounded Warrior Project is a not-for-profit whose mission is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history. They rely on this type of fundraiser and many more to help injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct program and services to meet the needs of injured service members.
“We are thrilled these two men chose the Pensacola Marathon as a vehicle to spread the word and raise money for such a great cause as the Wounded Warrior Project,” said Ray Palmer, Executive Director of the Pensacola Sports Association, the race’s management organization. “We have such a strong active and retired military presence in the Pensacola area so this fits perfectly. We congratulate and wish these gentlemen the best of luck in raising funds and for their efforts in running the Pensacola Marathon in November.”
Wahoos Get Comeback Victory Over the Mississippi Braves
May 28, 2012
Pensacola center fielder Andrew Means launched a three-run home run in the eighth inning to lead the Blue Wahoos to a 7-5 comeback victory over the Mississippi Braves, as the Fish sold out all five games of their homestand, including their 18th capacity crowd of the year on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Braves won the series 3-2, having clinched on Saturday evening, though they fell to 22-27 with the loss Sunday. The Blue Wahoos improved their season mark to 24-26 with the win. The sellout crowd was the 18th of the year in 24 home openings this year.
After entering the eighth down 5-3, RF Josh Fellhauer led off the frame with a double and subsequently scored on 1B Joel Guzman’s RBI single to narrow the deficit to one. 3B David Vidal would then single to set the stage for Means, who rocketed an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall to complete the comeback.
Mississippi got off to an early 3-0 lead after three frames thanks to a two-run double from RF Cory Harrilchack in the second, while the third tally came across when C Matt Kennelly was hit by a pitch in the next inning. The Braves added single tallies in the seventh, courtesy of Kennelly’s RBI base knock, while SS Andrelton Simmons belted his third longball of the season and the series in the eighth.
Pensacola got their first two runs in the fifth, when C Mark Fleury drew a bases-loaded walk and 2B Brodie Greene was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Blue Wahoos also got a run in the seventh when SS Didi Gregorius tripled to bring home Means, who singled earlier in the frame.
Means (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record a multi-hit effort in the contest with his three base knocks, while Simmons (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and 3B Joe Leonard (2-3, 2 R, 2 BB) each collected a pair of hits for the Braves.
Pensacola reliever Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned his fourth victory of the year after yielding a run on a hit in one frame, while closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) notched his Southern League leading 12th save with a hitless ninth, fanning two. Blue Wahoos RHP Drew Hayes (2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) had a strong outing, firing 2.1 scoreless innings in relief. Mississippi RHP Cory Rasmus (1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-1 after allowing four runs on four hits in the eighth.
The Blue Wahoos will now travel to Jackson, Tennessee for a five-game series with the Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, with the series opener on Monday with first pitch set for 7:05 pm. The Fish are scheduled to send RHP Tim Gustafson to the mound, while Jackson is expected to give the ball to LHP Danny Hultzen.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Closer Donnie Joseph notched his Southern League leading 12th save Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.