Lady Chiefs Out Of District Tourney; Jay Royals Play Tonight
April 17, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost Monday to the Chipley Tigers, 1-0, in the FHSAA Class 1A District 2 Tournament at Baker School.
Chipley advances to play the No. 1 seed Jay Lady Royals (9-1 in district play) at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The winner advances to the championship game Thursday at 6 p.m.
The Lady Chiefs finished the season at 10-9 overall, 4-6 in regular season district play.
Jacksonville Tops Wahoos 5-4 In 13 Innings Monday Night
April 17, 2012
Jacksonville center fielder Jose Duarte scored from third on a wild pitch in the 13th inning as the Suns defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-4 in front of 4,457 on Monday night at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
Duarte led off the frame with a single before first baseman Jaime Ortiz reached on a base knock and left fielder Jake Smolinski walked to load the bases with no outs. After retiring the first two batters, catcher Kyle Skipworth went down in the count 0-2 before a wild pitch sent in Duarte for what proved to be the game-winning score.
The Blue Wahoos got off to a hot start, grabbing a 4-1 lead with five consecutive hits to begin their half of the first frame, thanks in part to a two-run double from third baseman Henry Rodriguez and an RBI double from Mike Costanzo. Costanzo extended his hit streak to seven games with the knock and has also reached base in ten straight contests.
The Suns chipped away at the deficit with a pair of longballs, including a two-run homer from second baseman Paul Gran in the sixth, and a solo shot from third baseman Shawn Bowman in the following frame. Gran recorded five hits in the contest after entering the game with seven hits in his first nine games of the season.
Pensacola reliever Luis Atilano (3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 after allowing an earned run on two hits in three innings of relief, while Jacksonville LHP Wade Korpi (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the victory to improve to 1-1 on the year after giving up just one hit in his scoreless frame. RHP Chris Squires (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) notched his first save of the season, yielding just one hit in the last inning.
The Blue Wahoos and Suns will meet again Tuesday night for the third game of the five-game series, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Daniel Corcino to the hill, while RHP Zach Neal is expected to toe the rubber for the Suns.
By Andrew Green
Sparta Downs Atmore Christian
April 17, 2012
Atmore Christian School lost to Sparta of Evergreen, Ala., on Monday, 11-4. The junior varsity game between ACS and Sparta was canceled due to rain.
Pictured: Atmore Christian School takes on Sparta in Evergreen, Ala., on Monday. Submitted photos by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola To Host Florida College Softball Championship
April 17, 2012
The Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) in coordination with the City of Pensacola Department of Neighborhood Services, and Pensacola State College will host the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Women’s Fast Pitch Softball Championship. This is the second year of a four-year contract.
From April 27 to April 29, 16 teams from across the state who have qualified for the state tournament will make their way to Pensacola to compete for the opportunity to advance to the national tournament. This championship actually consists of two district tournaments and a state championship game. The two district champions will advance to play for the national championship in St. George, Utah.
“We are again excited to host this event. We have one year of experience under our belts and we are using that experience to further enhance the event for both the student-athlete and the spectators,” said PSA Executive Director Ray Palmer. “I also predict an even larger crowd of family and friends traveling to support the teams as we heard a lot of very positive comments from the teams last year, many who had never visited our part of the state and who were looking to returning and telling their friends and families about our area.”
Exchange Park will host all the games at its newly renovated four-field complex. Recent upgrades including new field fences, expanded field lengths, dugouts, paint, field work, and remodeled air-conditioned bathrooms.
“The City of Pensacola welcomes the 16 best Florida state college softball teams on April 26-29 at the newly renovated Exchange Park Softball Facility,” commented Pensacola Athletic Superintendent Buddy Connelly. “Being the host City of this prestigious tournament is an honor for our City and our Department of Parks & Recreation. We hope everyone enjoys our efforts to make this tournament the best of an already memorable year for these Schools. The City Staff looks forward to serving all participants and making this tournament a lifetime memory for these young women.”
In addition to the competing teams traveling to Pensacola, the FCSAA Executive Director Jeb Blackburn and staff and college administrators will be in attendance for conference meetings and to watch the great softball action.
“We are looking forward to returning to Pensacola for the Florida College System Activities Association State Fast-Pitch Softball tournament,” said Blackburn. “We received wonderful comments about the tournament last year and the staff of the Pensacola Sports Association and the City Parks staff have been awesome. We hope to fill the stands to watch some great competition.”
Fans are sure to be entertained as they watch some of the best collegiate softball in the country. Teams already qualified include Florida State College at Jacksonville, Seminole State College, Santa Fe College, Daytona State College, Indian River State College, Miami Dade College, Brevard Community College, Chipola College, Tallahassee Community College, Gulf Coast State College, Northwest Florida State College, State College of Florida, St. Petersburg College, Polk State College, and Hillsborough Community College. A playoff will be played between St. John’s River State College and College of Central Florida to determine the 16th and final team.
Photos: Molino 12U, 16U Lady Jags
April 16, 2012
The Molino 12U Lady Jags took part in the Mid Season Softball Tourney in Pace over the weekend.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Submitted photos by Gary Carnley for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Walk Off With 2-1 Win Over Jacksonville
April 16, 2012
Pensacola first baseman Joel Guzman walked with the bases-loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola’s multi-use stadium.
The win gives Pensacola a 1-0 lead in the five-game series, while the capacity crowd was the sixth in as many games at the Blue Wahoos’ bayfront stadium.
Pinch hitter Miguel Rojas, shortstop Didi Gregorius and third baseman Henry Rodriguez all singled in the final frame to set the stage for Guzman with two outs. The native of the Dominican Republic then drew a game-ending free pass on four pitches to cue the celebration and give the Blue Wahoos their second walk-off win at home this year.
Rodriguez started the scoring for Pensacola with a solo home run to left, his second of the year, to grab a 1-0 lead. Jacksonville however, drew the contest even at 1-1 when second baseman Jeff Dominguez brought home catcher Kyle Skipworth with a run-scoring single in the subsequent frame.
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned his second victory of the year after striking out the side in the ninth, while Suns reliever Wade Korpi (1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss after allowing the final run, along with three hits in 1.2 innings of support. Pensacola starter Pedro Villarreal (6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) pitched well but did not receive a decision despite yielding just a lone earned run on only five hits while fanning five in six frames.
Gregorius (2-5), Rodriguez (2-5, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and second baseman Brodie Greene (2-4) all tallied multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos, while right fielder Jake Smolinski (2-4, 1 2B) was the lone Suns batter to tally two hits. Despite his game-winning walk, Guzman saw his eight-game hit streak come to an end, though he has now reached base in his first nine contests.
Pensacola and Jacksonville meet again Monday night for the second game of the series, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm. RHP Curtis Partch is scheduled to toe the rubber for the Blue Wahoos, while the Suns are expected to send RHP Bryan Evans to the mound.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: First baseman Joel Guzman delivers a bases-loaded walk to push Pensacola to a 2-1 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Heavy Lifters: Northview, Tate Athletes Compete For State Titles
April 16, 2012
Two North Escambia athletes will compete in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s state weightlifting championships Friday and Saturday in Kissimmee, Fla.
Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow lifts in the 219 pound weight class. His best total of the season is 600 pounds. He will compete in the Class 1A finals on Friday.
Tate High School senior Chase Carroll lifts in the 183 pound weight class. With a 650 pound total lift, he’s the top ranked lifter in the class, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association. It’s 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: Northview High School senior Andrew Farrow. Pictured left: Tate High School senior Chase Carroll. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Wahoos Cap Series With 6-1 Victory Over Mobile
April 15, 2012
Blue Wahoos right fielder Yordanys Perez cleared the bases with a three-run double in the fourth inning, while starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran fired 5.2 shutout innings to give Pensacola a 6-1 win over the Mobile BayBears on Saturday night at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears won the series 3-2, clinching the series with their 6-5 victory Friday night.
Sulbaran (5.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 4 SO) turned in the best outing for a Blue Wahoos starter thus far in 2012, limiting Mobile batters to just two hits while striking out four in his 5.2 innings of work as he earned his first win of the season. After giving up a lead-off walk, Sulbaran retired the next 11 hitters of the contest before yielding a free pass in the fourth. BayBears starter Tyler Skaggs (5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-1 on the year after allowing three earned runs on seven hits while fanning eight in five frames.
After shortstop Didi Gregorius scored on an error and second baseman Brodie Greene walked to load the bases, Perez brought in Greene, in addition to third baseman Henry Rodriguez and left fielder Joel Guzman with a double down the left field line to make it 4-0. Pensacola added two more scores in the seventh courtesy of an RBI double from Greene, and a run-scoring single off the bat of first baseman Mike Costanzo.
Gregorius led all hitters with three hits, while Rodriguez also recorded a multi-hit game. BayBears first baseman Kyle Greene led Mobile with two of the team’s three base knocks in the contest. Guzman extended his hit streak to nine games with a single in the second, while Costanzo has now reached base in nine straight contests with his seventh inning base knock.
The Blue Wahoos now return home to Pensacola for a five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, with the series opener set for Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Pedro Villarreal to the hill, while the Suns have yet to announce a starter.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Didi Gregorius recorded three hits in Penascola’s 6-1 win Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Baseball: Senior Night Versus W.S. Neal
April 14, 2012
The Northview Chiefs lost a close one to W.S. Neal Friday night in Bratt, 4-3.
It was Senior Night for the Chiefs, as they recognized senior players Zach Barrow, Tanner Brooks, Brian Ross, Jamie Gafford and Tyler Hester.
The Northview Chiefs will host Flomaton on Monday, with the junior varsity playing at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00.
For a photo gallery from Friday night’s game, click here.
Pictured top: Northview seniors (L-R) Zach Barrow, Tanner Brooks, Brian Ross, Jamie Gafford and Tyler Hester. Pictured inset: Action as Northview hosted W.S. Neal Friday night. NorthEscambia.com photos by Taylor Rigby, click to enlarge.
Sports: Tate, Northview Baseball; Northview, EA, Jay Softball
April 14, 2012
Here is a look at a prep baseball and softball action in the area Friday:
Milton 10 — Tate 5
Milton pounded out 14 hits including two home runs to beat the Tate Aggies Friday night, 10-5. With the loss, Tate fell to 19-3 overall. The next game for the Aggies is Thursday at West Florida.
Tate 6 — Milton 1 (JV)
Tate 3 — Milton 2 (Freshmen)
W.S. Neal 4 — Northview 3
For details of W.S. Neal at Northview and photos, click here.
SOFTBALL
Northview 6 — Escambia Academy 5
The Northview Chiefs traveled to Canoe Friday afternoon and beat the Escambia Academy Cougars 6-5. It was the final regular season game for the Lady Chiefs; the district tournament begins next week at Baker High School. The Lady Chiefs will face Chipley at 4 p.m. Monday.
Jay 8 — W.S. Neal 2
The Lady Royals recognized Becca Calloway and Tessa Hendricks Friday for Senior Night before defeating W.S. Neal 8-2. Jay finished at first place in district action, earning a bye in the district tourney until 4 p.m. Tuesday when they will play the winner of Monday’s Northview vs Chipley game.