Playoff Wins For Tate Baseball, Softball
April 25, 2012
Tuesday was a good night for the Tate Aggies in playoff softball and baseball.
In softball, the Tate Lady Aggies (20-9) beat Mosley 8-6. Tate will now play Niceville on Friday at Tate in the regional semifinals.
The Tate Aggies topped Washington 5-0 in baseball to advance in the district tourney. Tate will play Wednesday at 4 p.m. against the Escambia Gators at Milton High School.
ECHS Head Coach Mark Heaton Leaving For New Job
April 25, 2012
Mark Heaton, head football coach and athletic director at Escambia County High School in Atmore is leaving.
Heaton is taking over as athletic director and head football coach at Haleyville High School in northwestern Alabama. In two seasons at ECHS, Heaton was 14-9, including a 2010 quarterfinal appearance in the state playoff series.
Heaton’s employment was approved Tuesday night by the Haleyville Board of Education with a start date of May 1. A dozen people were interviewed for the position.
He is a former offensive coordinator for the Northview Chiefs and head coach for the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs in Uriah, Ala., where he went 13-9.
Heaton’s wife, Betty, is the head volleyball coach and teaches reading at Northview High School. Reports indicate she is expected to follow her husband to northwestern Alabama by next school year.
Wahoos Fall As Biscuits Take Series
April 25, 2012
Montgomery shortstop Hak-Ju Lee drove in three runs with a triple in the fifth, while third baseman Cole Figueroa and designated hitter Greg Sexton both recorded multi-hit games, as the Biscuits defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday afternoon at Riverwalk Stadium. The win gives Montgomery a 3-2 series victory over the Blue Wahoos.
Leading 4-3 going into the fifth, Montgomery LF Omar Luna singled, while Sexton walked and RF Emeel Salem reached on a base knock to load the bases and set the stage for Lee. The shortstop then drove the second pitch of the at bat into the right-center field gap to bring home all three runners and give the Biscuits a four-run cushion in what proved to be the game’s crucial hit.
Montgomery had taken an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of scores in the opening frame. 1B Michael Sheridan lifted a sacrifice fly to left to send in the game’s first run, while Sexton would subsequently drive in Figueroa, who had singled earlier, to push the Biscuits ahead 2-0.
The Blue Wahoos answered however, with a three-run third frame to take a 3-2 lead. An RBI single from 3B Henry Rodriguez got the scoring started, while 2B Brodie Greene doubled to left to score Rodriguez. Pensacola then took advantage of a passed ball to plate the go-ahead run.
But the Biscuits would tie it at 3-3 in their half of the third. Sheridan led off with a walk, stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch before subsequently scoring on a run-scoring single from CF Brad Coon.
Pensacola capped their scoring in the seventh after C Mark Fleury led off with a double and took third on a ground out before coming home on a sacrifice fly from SS Didi Gregorius. Gregorius was held hitless to snap his torrid 10-game hitting streak, during which he lead all Minor Leaguers in hits, batting average and on-base percentage.
Montgomery starter Joe Cruz (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on only three hits in five frames, while reliever Jim Paduch (1.0 IP, 1 SO) notched his second save of the year for the Biscuits. Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (4.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 after surrendering six earned runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos now travel to Jacksonville for a five-game series with the Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. First pitch for the series is set for Wednesday night at 6:05 pm central time. Pensacola is slated to give the ball to RHP Pedro Villarreal for the series opener, while Jacksonville’s starter has not yet been announced.
Up For A Volleyball Team? Spring Scalpball Tournament Planned
April 25, 2012
The Northview High School volleyball team will host the Spring 2012 Scalpball Tournament on May 19.
It will be a four versus four volleyball tournament for anyone over the age of 14. There will be two divisions — 14-19 and age 20 and up. Teams can be all male or female, or they can be coed. There can be up to five players per team.
The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Northview gym and the First Baptist Church of Bratt gym, with the finals to be played at Northview.
Team fees are $12 per player if paid by Friday, April 27, $14 per player if paid by May 11 and $15 per player if paid by May 16. Registration forms can be printed by clicking here, or obtained at Northview High School’s attendance desk or the Atmore YMCA.
All proceeds benefit the volleyball program at Northview High School.
For tournament information and a printable registration form click here (pdf).
Pictured top: Winners in the Spring 2011 Scalpball Tournament Team Bradley: Josh Bilon, Tara Bradley, Michael Bradley, Dan McDonald and Mike Dalton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 10-4, Even Biscuit Series At Two
April 24, 2012
The Blue Wahoos bounced back on Monday night after back to back losses to beat the Montgomery Biscuits 10-4 at Riverwalk Stadium. After a four-run first inning, the Blue Wahoos never looked back as they evened the series at two games apiece.
Joel Guzman and P.J. Phillips both delivered two-run doubles in the first inning to put the Wahoos in front in front 4-0. The Biscuits responded with a run in the bottom of the inning against Blue Wahoos starter Tim Crabbe (W, 1-0). It was the only run he would allow until the sixth inning.
After giving up back to back singles in the bottom of the second, the Wahoo starter proceeded to retire the next 12 batters he faced from the second inning through the fifth. He walked the first two batters of the sixth, but still got out of the inning after allowing just those two runners to score.
The offense got cranked up again in the seventh when Henry Rodriguez doubled home Miguel Rojas and Ryan LaMarre. The Wahoos added four additional runs in ninth to make it 10-3. Montgomery added a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth from Greg Sexton to cap the scoring for the game.
Five Blue Wahoos had multi-hit games for Pensacola. LaMarre, Didi Gregorius, Rodriguez and Guzman all had two hits while Cody Puckett finished the game 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Gregorius’ two-hit game raised his average to a league leading .403.
Crabbe earned his first win of the season with his longest start of the year. Kyle Lobstein (L, 1-2) allowed all four first-inning runs and gave up six hits over four innings in the losing effort.
The two teams wrap up the series in Montgomery on Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (1-1, 2.65) to the mound against Montgomery righty Joe Cruz (1-2, 5.02). First pitch is set for 10:35 a.m. at Riverwalk Stadium.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Crabbe worked a season-high six innings in his first win of the season. Photo courtesy Emmele Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Thousands In Prize Money Awarded In Log A Load Bass Tourney
April 23, 2012
Thousands of dollars were raised for Sacred Heart Hospital Children’s Hospital during the annual Log A Load For Kids Bass Tournament Saturday at Live Oak Landing in Stockton.
Over $11,000 was awarded to the top ten teams, including $5,000 to the first place team of Travis Glidden and Lee Grandquest with a total weight of 16.63 pounds. Second place and $2,000 were awarded to Skip Thompson and Price Thomas for 15.48 pounds.
The top ten teams, the total weight of their catch and prize awards were:
- Travis Glidden and Lee Grandquest, 16.63 lbs - $5,000
- Skip Thompson and Price Thomas, 15.48 lbs –$2,000
- Nick Peturis, Jr. and Dewayne Smith, 14.7 lbs - $1,000
- Dean Caine and Mike Neese, 13.8 lbs - $800
- Keith Craft and Ronnie Summers, 13.48 lbs - $700
- Tyler Godwin and Dustin Simmons, 12.86 lbs - $600
- Jim Smith and Robbi Smith, 12.75 lbs - $500
- Sammy L. Tholmas and Lavon White, 12.71 lbs - $400
- Cory Glasscock and Alford Glasscock, 12.46 lbs - $300
- Clifton Smith and Robert Pearce, 12.13 lbs - $200
Also awarded were:
- 1st Lunker — Matt Lemon and Mike Swoboda, $972, 6.25 lbs
- 2nd Lunker — Joe Barnett and Crawford Odom, $648, 5.25 lbs
- Mystery Weight Fish — Robert Lee and Wayne Mixon, $110, 2.03 lbs
Blue Wahoos Drop Second Straight To Biscuits
April 23, 2012
The Blue Wahoos led for the first five innings on Sunday night in Montgomery, but the Biscuits’ seven late runs were too much for the Wahoos as Montgomery won their second straight over Pensacola 7-3.
Pensacola went up 2-0 on a two-run double in the first inning by Brodie Greene. The game stayed that way until the Biscuits scored three runs against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino in the sixth inning.
The rally started when Tyler Bortnick reached on an error to begin the inning, one of three by the Blue Wahoos in the game. He and Cole Figueroa both scored on a two-run double to center by Henry Wrigley to tie the game. Wrigley came home two batters later on an RBI single by Omar Luna putting the Biscuits in front 3-2.
Pensacola evened things up in the top of the seventh when Greene delivered his second two-out RBI hit of the game scoring Didi Gregorius from third. The Biscuits went on to score a pair of runs in each of the next two innings with a two-run double by Henry Wrigley in the seventh and a two-run homer by Brad Coon in the eighth.
The Blue Wahoos loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs, but didn’t score. Greene led the way offensively with a 4-for-4 game including a pair of doubles with three RBI and a walk. Gregorius had a two hit game in his return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a bruised wrist from getting hit by a pitch on Thursday.
Corcino went a season-high six innings in the start for the Blue Wahoos. He was charged with three runs, two earned, on five hits. He walked only two and struck out six. Clayton Tanner was tagged with the loss out the bullpen for the Blue Wahoos. We was charged with the two seventh innings runs after working 0.2 innings. Frank De Los Santos didn’t record a decision in the start for the Biscuits after working five innings and allowing just the two runs on six hits. Adam Libertore got credit for the win after working the two innings out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos look to even the series on Monday night behind right-hander Tim Crabbe (0-0, 4.85). He will be opposed by lefty Kyle Lobstein (1-0, 2.45). First pitch is set for 7:05 in Montgomery.
By Tommy Thrall
The Wahoo’s Daniel Corcino worked a season-high six innings Sunday night in Montgomery. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Carroll Wins State Weightlifting Championship
April 22, 2012
Tate High School senior Chase Carroll has won the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state 2A weightlifting championship in his weight class.
Saturday in Kissimmee, Carroll’s total lift was in the 183 pound weight class. 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.
Saturday 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: Tate senior Chase Carroll, center, won the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state 2A weightlifting championship Saturday in Kissimmee. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Northview Baseball Clinic For NWE, Tri-County
April 22, 2012
The Northview Chiefs baseball team held a training camp Saturday for Northwest Escambia and Tri-County Cal Ripken players. From pitching to catching, the camp focused on the basics of improving play and on the transition from Little League to Cal Ripken rules.
NWE offered their thanks to the Northview players, coaches and Diamond Club for offering the camp. “It was excellent. We are looking forward to the next one,” a NWE statement said.
For a photo gallery from the camp, click here.
Pictured: A Northview Chiefs baseball camp for Northwest Escambia and Tri-County players held Saturday at the school. NorthEscambia.com photos by Taylor Rigby, click to enlarge.
Seven Run First Dooms Wahoos, Biscuits Win 7-1
April 22, 2012
The Blue Wahoos struck first Saturday night, but the lead was short lived as the Montgomery Biscuits responded with seven runs in the home half of the first and held on for the 7-1 win andeven the five-game series at a game apiece in Montgomery.
Ryan LaMarre continued his hot hitting with a single to open up the game for the Blue Wahoos and scored from second on a base hit by Joel Guzman to give Pensacola the early advantage. LaMarre added a triple later in the game for his sixth multi-hit game of the season. Guzman also had a two-hit performance with a second single in the sixth.
The Biscuits responded with seven run in the bottom of the inning. Blue Wahoos starter Curtis Partch (L, 0-2) walked the first three batters he faced before back to back doubles by Henry Wrigley and Michael Sheridan. After another walk, Kyeong Kang blasted his third home run of the year to give the Biscuits a 7-1 lead. Neither team crossed the plate the rest of the way as three Blue Wahoos relievers combined to work 4.1 scoreless innings.
Partch bounced back and went 3.2 innings allowing the seven runs on three hits. He walked six, four in the first inning, and struck out two in the losing effort. Shane Dyer (W, 2-1) worked five innings in the winning effort for the Biscuits. He gave up just the one first-inning run, he walked two, allowed five hits and struck out two.
The series continues in Montgomery on Sunday evening with first pitch slated for 5:05 p.m. Right-hander Daniel Corcino (0-1, 4.61) will take the mound against Biscuits lefty Frank De Los Santos (1-1, 2.38).