Braves Beat Wahoos 7-3 Before Capacity Pensacola Crowd
May 27, 2012
The Braves collected six straight singles as part of a five-run eighth inning, as first baseman Ian Gac recorded three hits, to lead Mississippi to a 7-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 17thh sellout crowd of the year at the bayfront stadium in their 23rdd home opening of 2012. The victory clinched the series for the Braves, who improved their record to 22-26 this season, while the Blue Wahoos fell to 23-26 this year.
Pensacola entered the eighth inning leading 3-2, but Mississippi plated five runs on six straight singles to grab a 7-3 advantage they would not give up. Prior to their late inning scoring spurt, Mississippi brought home single scores in the fourth and sixth innings, including Gac’s RBI double in the sixth.
The Blue Wahoos took an early 1-0 lead in the second thanks to RF Andrew Means’ first home run of the year, while C Brian Peacock drove in the next two tallies for the Fish. The Pensacola backstop drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth, and later drove in 3B David Vidal with an RBI single in the sixth.
Both starters did not factor in the decision despite quality starts, with Pensacola RHP Daniel Corcino (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) yielding just two earned runs on six hits in six frames, while Braves LHP Sean Gilmartin (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) tied a season-high with nine strikeouts and gave up three runs in his six innings of work.
Braves reliever Andy Russell (2.0 IP) earned the victory after throwing two shutout innings in relief of starter Gilmartin, while RHP Mark Serrano (0.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER) suffered the loss to fall to 3-1 on the year.
Along with Gac (3-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI) LF Alden Carrithers (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB) collected two or more hits for Mississippi, while 3B David Vidal (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) and RF Andrew Means (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) recorded multi-hit efforts in the defeat.
The Braves and Blue Wahoos will meet for the final time this series on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the hill, while Mississippi is expected to counter with RHP David Hale.
by Andrew Green
Pictured Andrew Means homered for the first time this year as the Blue Wahoos lost to the Braves in Pensacola Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 6-5 Friday Night
May 26, 2012
Mississippi plated a ninth inning run with back-to-back doubles from first baseman Ian Gac and pinch hitter Barrett Kleinknecht after Pensacola came back from an early 5-0 deficit, as the Braves defeated the Blue Wahoos 6-5 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 16th sellout of the year in 21 home dates for the Blue Wahoos, who continue to lead the Southern League in attendance in their inaugural season. The defeat drops the Fish to a 23-25 mark in 2012, while the Braves improved their record to 21-26. Two-time NFL champion, Milton High School graduate and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes was in attendance, and threw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.
After allowing the Blue Wahoos to comeback after they were down five, Gac doubled down the left field, while Kleinknecht followed with a double of his own on the next pitch to bring home Gac on what turned out to be the game-winning hit.
The Braves jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the 1stt thanks to a two-run homer from SS Andrelton Simmons. It was the second roundtripper of the year and of the series for the Braves’ fourth-best prospect. Mississippi then increased the margin to five in the fourth thanks to RBI singles from CF Keenan Wiley and 2B Phil Gosselin, while Gac had a sacrifice fly.
The Blue Wahoos however, answered back with a five-run sixth inning to tie it at 5-5. CF Ryan LaMarre reached on a fielder’s choice and took second on an error before he was plated by SS Didi Gregorius for the club’s first tally of the contest. Gregorius moved to third on 2B Brodie Greene’s double, before both were sent home on 1B Joel Guzman’s two-run single to right. Guzman would score along with 3B David Vidal, who was hit by a pitch, on LF P.J. Phillips’ clutch two-run double to center to draw the contest even.
Guzman (2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) was the lone Pensacola batter to record two hits in the contest, while Gosselin (2-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and LF Alden Carrithers (2-4, 1 R, 1 BB) each collected multi-hit efforts for the Braves.
Mississippi reliever Ryan Buchter (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned his second victory of the year after fanning two batters in his scoreless inning of relief, while closer Mark Lamm (1.0 IP, 1 H) tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his sixth save of the season. Pensacola closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered his first loss of 2012, yielding a run on two hits in one inning. It was just the second run Joseph has given up all year in 22 appearances.
The Blue Wahoos and Braves are scheduled to meet again Saturday evening, with first pitch set for 6:30 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to get the start for Pensacola, while Mississippi is slated to send LHP Sean Gilmartin to the hill.
Fans will want to arrive early and stay late for Saturday night’s contest, as NFL champ and Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton will be at the game and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. All fans are asked to wear green or gold in honor of Sitton. The Blue Wahoos will also be wearing special camouflage jerseys sponsored by Andrews Institute, with the jerseys being auctioned off throughout the game in a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the Eagle Fund – Wounded Military.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: OF Yordanys Perez up to bat for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s McCall Named MVP; East Beats West In All-Star Softball, Baseball
May 25, 2012
Northview High School senior Lauren McCall was named the West MVP Thursday night as East defeated the West 11-2 in the Pensacola Sports Association’s 2012 Subway High School All-Star Softball Game.
McCall had the West’s first hit during the game that features the top seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. After the shortstop’s infield single, McCall’s catch ended the fifth inning of play at the University of West Florida.
From Jay, Becca Callaway walked before an RBI double from Milton’s Katie Worley, and Tessa Hendricks also added an RBI double.
In the boys softball All-Star game Thursday, the East also defeated the west, 8-0
All-Star Players, All-Star Coaches
Head coaches for this year’s event included Brian Watson from Jay High School for the East softball team and Mike Haveard from Pine Forest for the west softball team. In the baseball game, Cory Hamrick from Niceville High headed up the east team while Tate High’s Greg Blackmon coached the West boys.
Announced rosters for the 2012 Subway High School All-Star baseball and softball games were as follows:
West Softball: Victoria East, Ashley Peters, Brittany Morris, and Aubrey Yeagle from Escambia, Brianna Coleman, Brittany Manning-Davis, Rebeka Touary, and Sara Grace Gunter from Pine Forest, Kristen Hughes from East Hill, Lauren McCall from Northview, Amber Wells from Catholic, Samantha Hurley from Pensacola, Kayla Rosario, Kaitlyn Kenfield, Gabby Leifur, and Kalina Kenfield from West Florida Tech, Heather Schaff, Kim Baker, Barette Barnes, Marina Cobbs, Holly Brown, and Kat Tucker from Tate, and Rachel Medley from Washington.
East Softball: Kasey Harrison from Laurel Hill, Megan McDonald and Amanda Curington from Gulf Breeze, Hannah Day from Crestview, Lauren Osburn, Sarah Beth Marquis, and Meghan Redalieu from Navarre, Hannah Jones from Pace, Stephanie Hartness, Jamie Ujvari, Jessica Ujvari, and Courtney Adams from Niceville, Brittany Tiller from Rocky Bayou, Katie Worley, Kassandra Gilley, and Desiree Velasguez from Milton, Becca Calloway and Tessa Hendricks from Jay, Tory Kilcrease from Baker, Jaime Phillips and Jennifer Phillips from Fort Walton, and Rikki Rummel from Choctaw.
West Baseball: Scott Robertson, Matt Mckibben, and Avery Van Brussel from Washington, Skyler Beckerman, Tyler Murphy, Chase Anderson, and Tucker Massey from West Florida Tech, Tyler Curtis, Hunter Black, Austin Quina, Mac Seibert, and Cody Palmer from Tate, Preston Szuch, Tyler Henry, and Chase Keifer from Catholic, Tanner Brooks and Zach Barrow from Northview, Trenton Potter and Kody Bryant from Pensacola Christian, Brandon Nagem, Jon Cagle-Lister, and Zach Hathaway from Pine Forest, Joey Scapecchi and Kaleb Lewis from Escambia, and Brandon Haragul and Jimmy Threat from Pensacola.
East Baseball: Kameron Miller, Dylan Lee, and Derek Lovelace from Crestview, Kyle Mcgee from Gulf Breeze, Tanner Black, Miguel Paulino, and Luke Clark from Choctaw, Bucky Locke from Baker, Cory Eller and Mike Haynes from Niceville, Sammy James from Jay, Patrick Maddox, Patrick Ervin, Daniel Hampton, Steven Jernigan, and Clay Benefield from Pace, Paul Young and Jordan Martin from Milton, Dylan Peacock from Central, Steven Wills from Rocky Bayou, Kyle Slingerland from Laurel Hill, Jacob Terry and Dusty Jones from Navarre, Ian Hok and Trey Marshall from Fort Walton.
Blue Wahoos Top Braves 4-2
May 25, 2012
Pensacola left fielder Yordanys Perez homered as part of a two-hit effort and center fielder Ryan LaMarre threw two runners out at home plate, while the bullpen trio of Clayton Tanner, Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph held Mississippi to just three hits in the final 3.1 frames, as the Blue Wahoos defeated the Braves 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 15th sellout crowd the Blue Wahoos have played in front of this year, in their 21st home opening this year. The victory improves Pensacola’s record to 23-24, while the defeat drops Mississippi to 20-26 in 2012.
Perez got the scoring started for the Blue Wahoos in the second, when he lifted a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall to grab a 1-0 lead. It was the third longball of the year in Perez’s first year at professional level, as well as his second in three contests.
Pensacola would then increase the margin to three in the fourth with a pair of clutch two-out at bats. Perez drove in his second run of the game with an RBI single, while C Mark Fleury drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0.
The Braves however would narrow the deficit to one with single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings, both thanks to 3B Joe Leonard. The third baseman began the fifth frame with a homer to left, and then brought in SS Andrelton Simmons in the following frame with a single.
Mississippi was kept off the scoreboard twice thanks to Blue Wahoos CF Ryan LaMarre, who threw out baserunners attempting to score in the third and sixth innings. LaMarre now has 11 outfield assists this season, ranking him first in the Southern League by a wide margin.
Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings, while Tanner, Partch and Joseph combined to shut down the Braves from there in support of Sulbaran. Tanner (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Partch (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) each notched holds for their efforts, while Joseph (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) converted his Southern League leading 11th save of the year in 12 opportunities. Braves starting pitcher Gary Moran (5,1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year after giving up three runs on five hits in 5.1 frames.
It was Perez’s (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) fourth multi-hit outing in his last six contests, while RF Josh Fellhauer (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) also collected two hits for the Blue Wahoos. Leonard (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI), along with CF Todd Cunningham (2-5), C Christian Bethancourt (2-4) and RF Cory Harrilchak (2-3) all recorded two base knocks for the Braves in the loss.
With the series tied, Pensacola and Mississippi will meet again Friday night, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is slated to take the bump for the Blue Wahoos, while the Braves are expected to give the ball to LHP Luis Avilan in the third game of the series.
All fans are asked to wear blue for Friday night’s game in honor of two-time NFL champion and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes, who will be on hand to throw out a first pitch. Fans will also want to arrive early, as the first 2,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a special patriotic Blue Wahoos cap courtesy of Virginia College.
By Andrew Green
Flomaton Baseball Coach Anthony Davidson Retiring
May 24, 2012
Flomaton High School coach Anthony Davidson is retiring after 30 years as the Hurricane’s baseball coach.
His retirement comes after Flomaton’s trip all the way to the Class 2A semifinals in 2012 and a Class 2A state championship back in 1988. His overall record is 470-320.
Overall, Davidson has coached for 33 years — he was at Escambia County High School in Atmore one year and spent a couple of years at Munford.
Pictured above and below: Flomaton’s Hurricanes made it to the Class 2A semifinals this year under the leadership of coach Anthony Davidson. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Braves Beat Blue Wahoos 5-2
May 24, 2012
Mississippi shortstop Andrelton Simmons recorded four hits including a two-run home run, while starting pitcher Zeke Spruill held the Pensacola offense to two runs on three hits as the Braves defeated the Blue Wahoos 5-2 on Wednesday night in front of another sellout crowd at Pensacola’s Bayfront Stadium.
The victory gives Mississippi a 1-0 lead in the series, and improves their record to 20-25 on the year, as Pensacola fell to 22-24 this year. It was the 14th sellout crowd to take in a Blue Wahoos game in their 20th opening.
Simmons (4-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI) got the scoring started in the third inning with his first longball of the season, a two-run shot that gave the Braves the early 2-0 advantage. From there he would add two doubles after tallying a single in his first at bat of the contest, falling a triple shy of the cycle. C Christian Bethancourt (2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) was the only other hitter for either side to record a multi-hit effort in the contest.
The Blue Wahoos were held without a baserunner until the fifth, when they plated two runs to even the contest at 2-2. LF Yordanys Perez began the frame with a single before scoring on 3B David Vidal’s RBI triple to cut the deficit in half. Vidal would subsequently score on 1B Stephen Hunt’s sacrifice fly to left to bring the game back to a draw.
Mississippi however, countered in the following frame with a trio of tallies. 2B Phil Gosselin got the rally started with a single, and would come across on 1B Ian Gac’s run-scoring double, while back-to-back RBI base knocks from Bethancourt and LF Alden Carrithers added a pair of insurance runs for the Braves.
Spruill (7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 SO) earned the win to improve to 4-4 in 2012 after allowing just two earned runs on only three hits, in addition to seven strikeouts in his seven innings of work. Relievers Cory Rasmus (1.0 IP, 2 SO) and Mark Lamm (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) then tossed the final two hitless innings in support of Spruill, with Rasmus notching his third hold and Lamm his fifth save.
Pensacola starter Tim Gustafson (5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss after yielding five earned runs on eight hits in 5.2 frames. Relief pitchers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 H), Chris Manno (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) and Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 1 BB) combined to pitch the final 3.1 scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos and Braves will face off again tomorrow night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm from the bayfront stadium. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is expected to take the hill for Pensacola, while Mississippi is slated to counter with RHP Gary Moran.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: David Vidal had an RBI triple in the Blue Wahoos’ 5-2 loss Wednesday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad Zach Price Soaring Academically In Patriot League
May 23, 2012
Army senior second baseman Zach Price is the 2012 Patriot League Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and the Tate High School graduate one of 10 student-athletes named to the Academic All-Patriot League Team.
The Academic All-Patriot League Team was added for all sports beginning in the 2010-11 season to honor additional student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.
“I came to West Point to challenge myself as a person and become the man that God has called me to be. I also came to strive toward my academic and leadership goals. West Point is the best leadership institution in the world, and one of the best academic institutions in the nation. The life lessons learned and friendships made here will last a lifetime,” Price said.
Price becomes the seventh student-athlete from Army and the fourth consecutive Black Knight to win the prestigious Scholar-Athlete award. He also becomes a member of the Academic All-League Team for the second time in his career.
Price, a native of Cantonment, has a 3.732 GPA in systems engineering. He has been named to the Dean’s List every semester since arriving at West Point (earning 3.0 GPA or better each semester). He received the Superintendent’s Award (top 20 percent of his class) each semester and he’s currently ranked 157th of 1,037 cadets in the West Point senior class. Price was named a Distinguished Cadet (GPA of 3.67 or better) each semester and he’s a member of the New York Alpha Zeta Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, the National Honorary Mathematics Society.
He was a member of the inaugural All-Patriot League Baseball Academic Team and has been named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll each of his first three seasons. Price is a finalist for this year’s Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award and he was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America District I second team each of the past two seasons.
Price earned All-Patriot League First Team honors for the third time in his career, ranking eighth in the League with a .323 batting average. He led the League with 44 runs scored and ranks third in stolen bases with 14. He also has 23 RBIs.
Price is the son of Lesa and Greg Price.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘Vicious and Delicious’ And ‘Ross’s Gang’ Win NHS Scalpball Tourney
May 22, 2012
Winners in the recent Scalpball volleyball tournament at Northview High School were “Vicious and Delicious” in the teen division and “Ross’s Gang” in the adult division.
The tournament last Saturday in Bratt benefited the Northview High School volleyball program.
“We want to thank all the teams for coming out and supporting our volleyball team,” Coach Betty Heaton said.
Pictured: Vicious and Delicious (above) and Ross’s Gang (below). Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Top Suns 4-1 To Win Series
May 22, 2012
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Tim Crabbe gave up just two hits in six scoreless innings, while left fielder Yordanys Perez blasted a three-run home run in the eighth to give Pensacola a 4-1 victory over the Jacksonville Suns to win the series on Monday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The win gives the Blue Wahoos their first road series victory of the season and improves their record to 22-23, while the loss dropped the Suns’ mark to 21-24 on the year.
Crabbe (6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 SO) turned in his third solid outing in a row, yielding just two hits and two walks while fanning six in six scoreless frames to earn his second win of the year. In his past three outings, Crabbe has given up only a lone earned run on ten hits in his 18.0 innings pitched in that span.
Four Blue Wahoos relievers, including Curtis Partch (1.0 IP), Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) and Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO), combined to hold the Suns to just one score in the final three frames, with Joseph notching his Southern League leading tenth save of the year. Jacksonville starter Omar Poveda (6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) suffered the tough loss despite allowing only one earned run on just three hits in six frames.
Both offenses were quiet until the sixth, when Pensacola broke the scoreless draw to take a 1-0 lead. CF Ryan LaMarre drew a lead-off free pass and advance to second on a throwing error, before his was sent home on SS Didi Gregorius’ RBI single up the middle.
Pensacola however, extend the margin to four in the eighth thanks to Perez’s second roundtripper of the season. 2B Brodie Greene and 1B Joel Guzman each reached with base knocks, before they crossed home on Perez’s blast to right. The Blue Wahoos have now hit 15 homers in 20 games in the month of May after mashing 11 in 25 games in April.
The Suns would narrow their deficit to three in their half of the eighth with a longball of their own. 2B Jeff Dominguez led off the frame with a homer to right for his second roundtripper of the year, but that would be all the Jacksonville offense could muster on the scoreboard.
Perez (3-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) was the lone hitter for either team to record a multi-hit effort and tied single-game highs in his professional career for hits and RBI in the contest.
Pensacola has an off-day Tuesday before returning home to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Wednesday for a five-game series with the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The first pitch of the series is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening, with RHP Zeke Spruill expected to take the hill for the Braves, while the Blue Wahoos have yet to announce their starter.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: The Wahoo’s Tim Crabbe allowed just two hits in six scoreless frames to earn the win Monday in Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Comes Back, Downs Pensacola Wahoos 4-3
May 21, 2012
The Jacksonville Suns overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-3 and even the series at two games apiece at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon.
Joel Guzman continued his hot hitting at his former stomping grounds with an RBI double in the top of the second to put Pensacola ahead 1-0. The Wahoos added to it when Ryan LaMarre singled home Mark Fleury in the seventh to make it 2-0. In the sixth, the fish added another insurance run on a suicide squeeze by Stephen Hunt scoring Brodie Greene from third.
Daniel Corcino had retired 11 straight batters heading into the bottom of the sixth before Danny Black singled to open the inning. His hit was quickly followed by two-run homer by Donnie Webb, his first of the season.
Corcino was finished after six. He allowed just the two runs on only four hits. He struck out a season-high nine batters.
A pinch-hit double from Shawn Bowman drove home the tying run in the bottom of the seventh. The Suns plated the winning run the next inning when Kyle Jensen doubled to deep left field scoring Kyle Skipworth from first base. Clayton Tanner (0-3) gave up the game-winning hit and was saddled with the loss after working 1.1 innings. Evan Reed (3-1) held the Wahoos scoreless over the game’s final two innings to earn the win. Pensacola threatened with runners at the corners and only one out in the top of the ninth, but pinch hitter Yordanys Perez grounded into a game-ending double play.
The two teams will wrap up the series on Monday morning when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander Tim Crabbe (1-2, 4.24) to the mound against Suns righty Omar Poveda (3-1, 5.05). First pitch is set for 10:05 a.m. central time.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: Daniel Corcino struck out a season-high nine batters over six innings Sunday for the Blue Wahoos in Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.