Northview Dance Team Honored
May 12, 2012
Members of the Northview High School Dance Team were honored Friday afternoon at the school for their hard work and participation during the school year. The group performs at Northview football games and other school events under the direction of Heather Leonard.
Pictured above: (L-R, front) Courtney Lambert, Chloe Leonard, Ashley Cunningham, Danielle Scott, Morgan Digmon, (L-R, back) Anna Fischer, Shelby Nielsen, Lily Townson, Jessica Lowery, Rachel Presley and Samantha Barrow. Not pictured: Kinani Okahashi. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Beats Braves 4-3 In 10
May 11, 2012
Pensacola third baseman Cody Puckett drew a bases-loaded walk in the tenth inning as the Blue Wahoos held off the Mississippi Braves for a 4-3 extra-inning victory on Thursday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi.
Despite the defeat, the Braves won the series 3-2 thanks to their win on Wednesday afternoon. The win improves the Blue Wahoos’ record to 16-19, while Mississippi dropped to 14-21 with the loss.
SS Didi Gregorius got the extra frame started with a single, got to second on 2B Brodie Greene’s free pass and took third on a sacrifice bunt before 1B Joel Guzman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Puckett then came to the plate and drew a five-pitch walk to bring home Gregorius as the eventual game-winning run.
The Blue Wahoos wasted little time scoring with their two tallies in the first. CF Ryan LaMarre singled, moved to second on RF Josh Fellhauer’s base knock and came across on a Braves error, before Fellhauer was plated by Puckett’s run-scoring single to make it 2-0. LaMarre would later lead off the fifth with a single prior to Gregorius’ RBI double to right, which increased the margin to three.
Mississippi however would draw the game even at 3-3 in the sixth, with RF Keenan Wiley and SS Andrelton Simmons beginning the rally with back-to-back lead-off walks. Wiley would be sent in on a run-scoring base knock from C Evan Gattis, while Gattis subsequently scored on an RBI single from CF Todd Cunningham. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, 2B Barrett Kleinknecht was plunked to force in the tying run.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (2.0 IP, 2 SO) earned the win after retiring each of the six batters he faced in the final two innings, while Braves RHP Billy Bullock (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss after tossing the final frame. Neither Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO), nor Mississippi RHP Gary Moran (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO) factored in the decision after each allowed just a lone earned run in five innings.
LaMarre (2-4, 2 R, 1 BB), Gregorius (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and Puckett (2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB) each collected two hits in the contest for the Blue Wahoos, while Cunningham (2-4, 1 RBI)was the only Braves batter to accumulate multiple base knocks. LaMarre’s single in the first extended his hit streak to nine contests, during which he has hit .375 (12-32).
Pensacola now heads back home for a five-game series with the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, beginning Friday night at 7:05 pm. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is slated to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while the Barons are scheduled to send LHP Matt Wickswat to the hill.
The Blue Wahoos will be hosting 2012 Masters champion and Milton High School graduate Bubba Watson during Friday evening’s contest, with Watson scheduled to throw out a first pitch pre-game. Fans attending Friday’s game are encouraged to wear green in honor of Watson winning golf’s famed ‘Green Jacket’ as part of a green out. In addtition, the first 1,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a Blue Wahoos beach towel, compliments of Florida Blue as part of Fan Appreciation Friday.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Closer Donnie Joseph earned his fourth win of the year in the Wahoos’ 4-3 win. File photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop 3 In A Row
May 10, 2012
A trio of wild pitches from Blue Wahoos pitchers in the bottom of the seventh led to four runs as the Mississippi Braves took their third straight from Pensacola with a 5-3 win. For Mississippi, the victory secured a win in the five-game series.
The Blue Wahoos broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the seventh when Ryan LaMarre singled home Cody Puckett and Yordanys Perez to give Pensacola a 3-1 advantage.
Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino cruised through the first six innings allowing just one earned run. The right-hander exited after issuing a leadoff walk which started the four-run answer to the Wahoos top of the inning rally. Clayton Tanner (0-2) came in and faced two batters in relief of Corcino. He walked one and gave up a hit to another and threw a wild pitch which led to a run. Drew Hayes came in following Tanner and uncorked a pair of wild pitches. The first scored Adam Milligan from third, and the second scored two runners. Barrett Kleinknecht scored from third base and Andrelton Simmons scored from second giving the Braves a 5-3 lead. All four seventh inning runs the Braves scored, came home on wild pitches.
Tanner ended up taking the loss, while Cory Rasmus (1-0) got credit for the win out of the Braves bullpen. Mark Lamm (4) worked a perfect ninth to earn the save. David Hale started for the Braves and was charged will all three Blue Wahoos runs after working 6.1 innings. He gave up six hits, he walked three and he fanned three batters.
LaMarre was the bright spot for the Blue Wahoos offensively. He went 3-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI. He was the only Pensacola hitter with a multi-hit game.
The two teams wrap up the series on Thursday. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Tim Crabbe (1-2, 5.72) to the mound against Braves righty Gary Moran (0-1, 4.30). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. from Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss.
By Tommy Thrall
Jay Lady Royals Fall In State Championship Game
May 9, 2012
The Jay Lady Royals may have finished second Tuesday in the Class 1A State Championship game in Clermont, Florida, but they were still big winners in the eyes of the little Santa Rosa County town.
The Lady Royals finished their season at a respectable 21-4. It was the first ever appearance in a softball state championship game for Jay. And Tuesday’s 12-9 loss to Lafayette set a couple of records. The 21 total runs were the most ever scored in a FHSAA state final softball game. And Jay’s nine runs were the most ever scored by a second place team.
Only one Pensacola area team has ever brought home a state softball championship — that was Pace with the 5A crown in 2007. Jay joins just one other Escambia or Santa Rosa team to ever finish as a class runner-up — Tate (5A) in 2001.
Lafayette 12 — Jay 9
Lafayette jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, but Jay answered to tie it at 3-3 by the end of the inning. Camille Driver and Michaela Stewart had RBI singles, while Syndney Lowery had a bases loaded walk. The inning ended for the Royals with the bases loaded.
The Hornets took a 5-3 lead in the third, as Jay was three up and three down.
The fourth ended with Lafayette with a 8-4 lead. The Lady Royals scored with a sacrifice fly from Samantha Steadham.
The fifth added a lot of excitement to the state championship game as it evened up 9-9. Jay had consecutive RBI singles from Becca Calloway and Camille Driver, and Tessa Hendricks was on an infield grounder. Olivia Wright had a two-run single for the tie.
But the Hornets stung again in with three runs, 12-9.
Pictured top: The Jay Lady Royals. Pictured inset: Tearful senior captains Tessa Hendricks and Becca Calloway tearfully accept their runner up trophy. Pictured below: A group of Jay fans made the long road trip to Clermont Tuesday to cheer on the Lady Royals. Submitted photos by Tori Reid for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos On Short End Of Rain-Shortened Game
May 9, 2012
The Blue Wahoos dropped a seven inning rain-shortened game with the Mississippi Braves 3-1. The Braves had runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when the rain started and the field was covered. The game was called after a 43 minute delay.
Mississippi scored first in the bottom of the second when Cory Harrilchak scored from third on a groundout by Barrett Kleinknecht. Harrilchak reached on a walk and then stole two bases before scoring on the groundout. The run was ruled unearned against Blue Wahoos starter Kyle Lotzkar who made his Double-A debut for Pensacola on Tuesday night.
The Wahoos evened the score in the fourth, when Joel Guzman singled home Brodie Greene to make it 1-1. That would be the only run Pensacola would scratch across against Braves lefty Sean Gilmartin (1-4).
In the fifth, the Braves got to Lotzkar for the winning runs. Phil Gosselin tripled home Andrelton Simmons for the first run of the inning. A batter later, Evan Gattis singled in Gosselin to give the Braves all they would need.
Lotzkar went six innings in his Blue Wahoos debut and was charged with two earned runs, three total, on five hits and three walks. He finished with two strikeouts in the losing effort. Gilmartin earned the win by allowing just the one run over seven innings. He surrendered six hits, walked just one and struck out a season-high nine batters.
The series continues on Wednesday morning. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-1, 2.61) to the mound against Mississippi righty David Hale (2-2, 4.73). First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m.
By Tommy Thrall
Lady Royals Advance To Historic State Championship Game
May 8, 2012
The Jay Lady Royals rallied top beat Port St. Joe 7-5 Monday in the state semifinal round to reach the Class 1A state championship game today.
Update: Jay lost to Lafayette Tuesday afternoon 12-9. A previous story is below.
Port St. Joe took an early 3-0 lead Monday afternoon in the first inning. In the bottom of the first, senior Tessa Hendricks knocked a solo homer over the fence of the National Training Center to make it 3-1.
The Lady Royals were on fire in the bottom of the second with four runs for a 5-3 Jay lead. The Royals had RBI singles from Olivia Wright, Tessa Hendricks and Ashlyn Geek.
Port St. Joe made it a tie game in the third with a couple of a RBI singles, 5-5.
The fourth and five innings were scoreless.
In the sixth inning, the Lady Royals added two. Olivia Wright had a single and made second on sacrifice bunt by Ashlyn Geek. Tessa Hendricks was walked. Then Port St. Joe committed a grave error on a fly to right, allowing the ball to roll to the fence. That sent Wright and Hendricks across the plate.
Then with three up and three down for Port St. Joe in the seventh, the Lady Royals secured the chance at the state championship game on Tuesday.
Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament Planned
May 8, 2012
The Cantonment Rotary Club will host the second annual Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, May 11 at the Scenic Hills Country Club in Pensacola.
“Mr C,” as he was affectionately known throughout Florida’s Panhandle, was a longtime member and past president of the Cantonment Rotary Club and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Cantonment Rotary Foundation. The Foundation presents at least eight scholarships per year as part of an endowed scholarship program, provides funding for the Miracle League, Council on Aging, Honor Flights, Loaves & Fishes, and numerous other local charities, as well as international projects through Rotary International Matching Grants.
The golf tournament is the primary funding source for the Cantonment Foundation and requires not only the dedicated efforts of club members, but also the support of the community. Tee sign sponsors, door prizes, and sponsored teams are the essential elements of any golf tournament.
The format is a four person scramble with the usual prizes for “closest to the pin”, “longest drive”, etc. In addition, every player receives a nice door prize. Last year’s door prizes ranged from $25 gift certificates, to an exquisite diamond ring from Jeweler’s Trade Shop. No one left empty handed and some were fortunate enough to get more than one door prize.
In addition to the first place prize, the winning team will have their names placed on the Ted Ciano Trophy which is permanently housed at Scenic Hills Country Cluband will also receive a fee paid invitation to defend their title in the 2013 tournament. The field will be limited to 32 four-person teams. To participate, contact Paul Fredrick at (850) 384-9745 or email ears_1@cox.net.
The Cantonment Rotary Foundation Ted Ciano Memorial Golf Tournament is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Wahoos Fall 3-2 In 12
May 8, 2012
The Blue Wahoos led most of the way, but needed a ninth inning run to force extra innings before Keenan Wiley scored from third on a wild pitch with two outs in the 12th inning giving the Mississippi Braves the 3-2 win over Pensacola.
The Wahoos went up 1-0 when Joel Guzman unloaded for his fourth home run of the season in the top of the second. Mark Serrano kept it that way by working five shutout innings in his first start of the season. Mississippi tied the game in the seventh on an RBI single by Ian Gac which drove home Matt Kennelly from second. The hit was off Drew Hayes, though Clayton Tanner got charged with the run.
Mississippi took the lead with a solo home run by Evan Gattis to make it 2-1. Pensacola capitalized on a leadoff walk by Didi Gregorius in the ninth to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Josh Ewing drew a pinch hit walk to load the bases before Koyie Hill worked a walk from Ryan Butcher to force home Gregorius and tie the game.
It stayed tied until the 12th. After a double steal put runners at second and third, Chris Manno (0-1) threw a wild pitch which scored Wiley from third. Hill’s throw to Manno covering home looked to be ahead of the runner, but the ball got away allowing Wiley to get in safely for the winning run.
Henry Rodriguez waited until the top of the 12th to collect his first hit of the game, a double to right field, and extend his hit streak to a league-leading 15 games. Brodie Greene led the way for the Wahoos offensively with a four-hit game.
Manno was charged with the loss after allowing the winning run to score in the 12th after recording two outs. Chris Masters (1-1) earned the win for the Braves. He allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless 12th inning.
The series continues on Tuesday night with the first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. from Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. Right-hander Kyle Lotzkar will make his Double-A debut for the Blue Wahoos after earning a promotion at the end of the Blue Wahoos homestand. He will be opposed by Mississippi left-hander Sean Gilmartin (0-4, 3.55).
By Tommy Thrall
Gunter Signs Holmes Softball Scholarship
May 7, 2012
Pine Forest High School senior Sara Grace Gunter signed a softball scholarship to Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss., on Friday. Gunter is the granddaughter of Dot Gunter of McDavid and has numerous relatives in the North Escambia area. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Open Mississippi Series With Win
May 7, 2012
It took 13 innings for the Blue Wahoos to claim a series opening 4-3 win over the Mississippi Braves on Sunday night in Pearl, Miss. Didi Gregorius scored from second on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Joel Guzman that resulted in a throwing error at third base by the Braves first baseman.
The Blue Wahoos got going offensively with a solo home run by Cody Puckett in the top of the second inning. Mississippi, countered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame off Blue Wahoos starter Tim Gustafson. Ian Gac came home with the first run on a force out at second base which tied the game. A batter later, the pitcher, Zeke Spruill singled up the middle to drive home Keenan Wiley to put the Braves in front.
Puckett would strike again to drive home his second run of the game with a sacrifice fly to centerfield which plated Josh Fellhauer from third and tied the game at two. Pensacola would move in front when Mark Fleury scored on a fielding error by the Braves second baseman on a ball hit by Gregorius that would have ended the inning.
Wiley homered with two outs in the ninth inning to send the game into extra innings before Pensacola scored the winning run on another error in the top of the 13th.
Henry Rodriguez extended his hit streak to 14 games with a 4-for-5 game at the plate. Gregorius and Fellhauer each added three hit games for the Blue Wahoos. Gustafson didn’t record a decision despite his longest start of the season. The right-hander went six innings and allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out six. Wirfin Obispo (1-0) pitched a scoreless 11th inning to earn the win. Justin Freeman (S, 1) earned the save by getting the final batter of the game to ground out. Andy Russell (2-1) was tagged with the loss by allowing the winning run to score, despite it being unearned. It was the only run he allowed in his one inning.
The series continues on Monday when the Blue Wahoos send right hander Mark Serrano (2-0, 3.68) to the mound against Mississippi lefty Jose Lugo (2-0, 0.90). First pitch is set for 7:00 at Trustmark Park.