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.
Flomaton Takes Series From Wicksburg, Advances In Playoffs
May 6, 2012
The Flomaton Hurricanes (29-5) advanced to the Class 2A Round 4 playoffs Saturday, taking a three game series from the Wicksburg Panthers, behind a two-run homer in the fourth from Hunter Bonds.
Game Three: Flomaton 8 – Wicksburg 4
The Hurricanes defeated the Wicksburg Panthers in deciding matchup Saturday 8-4 . James Dean (6-0) started for the Hurricanes and got the win and Levi King took the loss. The Hurricanes will host the fourth round against the Leroy Bears Friday starting at 4:30 followed by the second game at 6:30.
Wahoos Take Series With 4-0 Win
May 6, 2012
Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran and reliever Justin Freeman combined to shut out the Jackson offense, while right fielder P.J. Phillips and left fielder Cody Puckett each homered to give the Blue Wahoos a 4-0 victory over the Generals in front of another sell-out crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola’s bayfront stadium. The victory gave the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 victory in the series.
It was also the tenth time in 14 home dates this year that Pensacola has hosted a capacity crowd. The Blue Wahoos started the night leading the Southern League in average attendance at just over 4,800 in 14 openings.
Sulbaran (7.0 IP, 5 H, 9 SO) was solid in his seven shutout frames, fanning nine batters and yielding just five hits to earn his second win of the season, while Freeman (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) gave up just one hit over the final two innings. Jackson starting pitcher Danny Hultzen (4.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 BB, 4 SO), the second-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners’ system according to Baseball America, suffered the loss to fall to 2-3 after giving up two earned runs on seven walks in 4.1 frames.
After CF Ryan LaMarre scored on a wild pitch in the second frame Phillips and Puckett each left the yard with solo homers, with Phillips blasting a lead-off shot in the fifth, while Puckett hit his an inning later. Phillips’ homer was his first longball since August 19, 2009, while it was Puckett’s third roundtripper of the season. Pensacola tacked on an additional insurance run in the sixth when C Koyie Hill came home on DH Yordanys Perez’s run-scoring single.
Generals 2B Nick Franklin (2-4, 1 2B) and RF Johermyn Chavez (2-4) each collected two hits in the contest, while no Blue Wahoos hitters recorded a multi-hit game. Pensacola 3B Henry Rodriguez tallied a single in the seventh frame to extend his hitting streak to a team-record 13 games. Since April 22, the infielder has hit .408 (20-49) with ten runs, two doubles and eight RBI.
The Blue Wahoos now head back on the road for a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. First pitch for the opening game of the series is set for 5:00 pm, with RHP Tim Gustafson expected to take the hill for Pensacola. Mississippi’s starting pitcher for the first game has not yet been announced.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: J.C. Sulbaran fired seven shutout innings in Pensacola’s 4-0 win Saturday night over Jackson. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jackson Tops Pensacola To Even Series
May 5, 2012
Five different Jackson hitters recorded a multi-hit game, while Generals starting pitcher Brandon Maurer kept the Pensacola offense at bay by allowing just one earned run in seven frames, as the Blue Wahoos fell 10-2 on Friday night in front of another sell-out crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium. The capacity crowd was the ninth in 13 home dates for the Blue Wahoos in 2012.
The Generals plated got off to a quick start with a six-run second frame thanks to three hits and four walks. Included in the inning were two-run singles from DH Joe Dunigan and 1B Rich Poythress, while C Jesus Sucre also drove in a run with a base knock. Jackson would be held quiet until the final frame, when they would bring across four more scores.
Pensacola got their first run of the contest in the fourth with a two-out rally. RF Josh Fellhauer walked with two outs and advanced to third on 2B Brodie Greene’s single, before scoring on C Koyie Hill’s RBI single to right. The Blue Wahoos would also tally another run in the eighth on 1B Joel Guzman’s run-scoring base knock to left.
Maurer (7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory to improve to 2-0 on the year after yielding just an earned run on six hits in his solid seven innings of work, while Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe (4.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to drop to 1-2 after allowing six earned runs on six hits in his four frames. Blue Wahoos reliever Mark Serrano (3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 SO) turned in a strong outing in relief, firing three shutout innings.
Dunigan (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Poythress (2-5, 1 R, 2 RBI), along with 3B Francisco Martinez (2-6, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI), RF Johermyn Chavez (3-5, 1 R, 1 RBI) and C Jesus Sucre (2-4, 2 RBI) all collected two or more hits for the Generals. Greene (3-4) led all Blue Wahoos batters with three hits on the evening, while Guzman (2-4, 1 RBI) also recorded a pair of hits.
3B Henry Rodriguez reached base with a single in the eighth to extend his hit streak to 12 games, which is now the longest stretch by a Blue Wahoos player this year. Rodriguez in addition currently rides a 14-game on-base streak.
With the series tied at 2-2, Pensacola and Jackson will meet for the final game of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm on Saturday night. The Blue Wahoos are expected to start RHP Pedro Villarreal in the rubber match, while the Generals are slated to send LHP Danny Hultzen, the Mariners’ second-best prospect according to Baseball America, to take the bump.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Brodie Greene tallied three hits in Pensacola’s 10-2 loss Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.