Penn State Recruit: Northview Chief Neiko Robinson’s Big Dreams
June 5, 2012
It’s a long way from Century, Florida, to University Park, Pennsylvania — just over 1,000 miles to be exact. And there’s a huge difference between the Northview Chiefs stadium and Beaver Stadium at The Pennsylvania State University, the second largest stadium in the western hemisphere and the fourth largest in the world with a record crowd of 110,753.
But everything Penn State Nittany Lions is all part of the big dreams of Neiko Robinson of Century, a rising senior at Northview who is working to make his dreams a reality.
The list of schools recruiting the 5-11, 170-pound safety was impressive with Penn State, Alabama, Florida State, the University of South Alabama, North Texas, Louisiana Tech and others paying him a visit or watching practices at Northview in Bratt.
When Penn State made an offer Friday, it didn’t take Robinson long to accept. Sunday night, he made the verbal commitment to the Nittany Lions on the phone with head coach Bill O’Brien — he’s the man that replaced legendary Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno.
“It’s a good school,” Robinson said about Penn State. “They are building their program again to be what it used to be in the past. I like where the coaching staff is going. They want guys that can be game changers, and I think I can do that on the defensive side.”
To date, Robinson has not visited the Penn State campus. He is the first Penn State football scholarship recruit from Florida in more than a decade.
“I want to be part of that and be there for four years of winning,” he added.
Robinson is transferring from the nearby Flomaton Hurricanes, where was part of last season’s 11-2 team. He racked up 93 tackles and returned three interceptions for touchdowns last year for the ‘Canes.
The future Nittany Lion, however, is now a Northview Chief, looking forward to his first season on the field at Bratt and fulfilling another dream before heading to Penn State.
“I’m looking for the state championship,” Robinson said.
Wahoos Walk Off With 3-2 Extra Inning Win
June 5, 2012
Pensacola first baseman Joel Guzman singled into center field to score shortstop Didi Gregorius from third in the 11th inning, while right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded four hits, as the Blue Wahoos walked off with a 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Jacksonville Suns on Monday evening at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win snaps the Fish’s four-game losing streak and improves their record to 26-32 this year, while the Suns now own a 27-31 mark with the defeat. Despite the loss, Jacksonville still owns a 2-1 series lead over the Blue Wahoos.
Gregorius began the 11th with a single and advanced to second on Fellhauer’s base knock, his fourth of the contest, before both moved an extra base on a wild pitch to set the stage of Guzman. The 27-year-old subsequently bounced the 1-1 pitch up the middle into center field to send in Gregorius and start the celebration.
The Blue Wahoos also scored the game’s first runs of the contest with two tallies in the first frame. CF Ryan LaMarre led off with a double and went to third on Gregorius’ single, before both scored on a throwing error from Suns CF Donnie Webb to take the early advantage.
The Suns however drew the margin even in the fourth with the longball. 2B Paul Gran was hit by a pitch to start the frame, while 1B German Duran lifted the very next pitch over the left field wall for his third roundtripper of the year. Both teams then were held silent until Pensacola’s score in the 11th.
Neither starting pitcher, Suns RHP Bryan Evans and Blue Wahoos RHP Kyle Lotzkar received decisions despite solid outings from each. Lotzkar (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 10 SO) fanned a season-high ten batters and gave up just two runs on seven hits in seven frames, while Evans (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 5 SO) gave up two unearned runs on six hits in six frames.
Pensacola relief pitchers Curtis Partch (3.0 IP, 1 H, 5 SO) and Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined to yield just one hit in the final four innings support of Lotzkar, with Freeman earning the win while Jacksonville reliever Corey Madden (2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss. Blue Wahoos hurlers combined for a season-high 16 punchouts in the contest.
Fellhauer’s (4-5) four hits matched a single-game career-high, with his last such contest coming on April 9, 2011, when he was with High-A Bakersfield. Gregorius (3-5, 2 R) was the only other Blue Wahoos batter with a multi-hit effort, while Suns SS Jeff Dominguez (2-5, 1 3B) collected two base knocks for his club.
Before and during the contest, the 4-A state champion Pensacola Catholic high school baseball team was honored on the field and on the dugout for their accomplishment. They received a standing ovation from the large crowd on hand.
Pensacola and Jacksonville are scheduled to square off again Tuesday evening for their fourth game of the series, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. The Blue Wahoos are slated to give the ball to RHP Daniel Corcino, while LHP Graham Taylor is expected to get the nod for the Suns.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Joel Guzman’s walk off single in the 11th gave the Fish a 3-2 win Monday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chief’s Neiko Robinson Commits To Penn State Nittany Lions
June 4, 2012
Northview High Schools’ Neiko Robinson has committed to the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Robinson, a 5-11, 170-pound safety, made the unexpected verbal commitment on the phone late Sunday night with Penn State coach Bill O’Brien after receiving the offer on Friday.
The rising senior is listed as the 18th best safety in Florida, according to Rivals.com.
Northview Coach Ty Wise says Penn State, Alabama, Florida State, the University of South Alabama, North Texas and Louisiana Tech were among the schools that visited Robinson or watched him practice at Northview. The first offer Robinson received was from Penn State.
Robinson is a transfer from nearby Flomaton High School, where he help lead the Hurricanes to an 11-2 season last year.
Pictured top: Northview High School’s Neiko Robinson has verbally committed to Penn State. Pictured inset: Robinson transferred from Flomaton High School. Pictured inset: Robinson (#11) chases down a West Florida Jaguar during Northview’s Spring Game. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Suns Hold Off The Blue Wahoos, 5-4
June 4, 2012
Jacksonville scored five runs in the final three frames, including two in the ninth, and stopped a last inning Blue Wahoos rally as the Suns defeated Pensacola 5-4 on Sunday afternoon in Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the win the Suns improve to 27-30 and take a 2-0 lead in the series, while the Blue Wahoos fell to 25-32 in the loss.
After Jacksonville entered the frame tied at 4-4, RF Jose Duarte led off with a walk, advanced to second on pinch hitter Kyle Jensen’s base knock and moved to third on a groundout before coming home on 2B Paul Gran’s sacrifice fly to take the lead. After an intentional walk placed Jensen at second, C Kyle Skipworth reached base on a strikeout, with a Pensacola defensive miscue bringing home Jensen to put the Suns ahead by two.
The Blue Wahoos would not go down without a fight however in their half of the ninth. With two outs, CF Ryan LaMarre and SS Didi Gregorius reached on back-to-back singles before 2B Brodie Greene sent in LaMarre to cut the deficit to one, but Jacksonville reliever A.J. Ramos was able to set down 1B Joel Guzman to shut down the comeback hopes.
Pensacola and Jacksonville were held scoreless until the fifth, when the Blue Wahoos struck first with two tallies. RF Andrew Means and C Chris Berset got it started with consecutive singles, while starting pitcher Tony Cingrani helped his own cause by reaching on an infield single to load the bases from LaMarre. The outfielder would drive home Means with a base knock to right before an RBI groundout from Gregorius made it 2-0.
The Suns got three runs in the seventh to take their first lead with three straight run-scoring singles from pinch hitter German Duran, SS Chris Gutierrez and Gran. The Blue Wahoos then drew the margin even at 3-3 in their half of the seventh courtesy of Gregorius’ RBI single to score LaMarre.
Cingrani (6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) did not receive a decision in his Double-A debut despite yielding just two earned runs on five hits in 6.2 innings, while Jacksonville starter Jose Alvarez (5.1 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 SO) also did not factor in the final decision for the Suns. Ramos (2.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 SO) earned his third win of the year after allowing a run on four hits in the final two frames, while Pensacola closer Donnie Joseph (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss.
Gran, Skipworth and CF Donnie Webb all tallied a pair of base knocks for the Suns in the victory, while LaMarre led all batters with three hits. Gregorius, Greene and 3B David Vidal each collected multi-hit efforts as well in the loss.
Jacksonville and Pensacola are scheduled to meet again on Monday evening, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. The Blue Wahoos are expected to send RHP Kyle Lotzkar to the bump, while the Suns are expected to counter with RHP Bryan Evans.
By Andrew Green
Jacksonville Suns Beat The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 9-6
June 3, 2012
Three Suns batters collected three hits as Jacksonville plated seven unanswered runs in the final three innings to counter Pensacola’s sixth-run fifth frame and defeat the Blue Wahoos 9-6 in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The sellout was the Blue Wahoos’ 19th of the season in 25 home openings, as well as the sixth straight dating back to Pensacola’s previous homestand. The victory improves the Suns’ record to 26-30 this season, while the Fish fell to 25-31 in 2012.
After Pensacola grabbed a 6-2 lead with their six-run fifth, Jacksonville charged back with seven straight scores, including four in the eighth frame to take command. C Jake Jefferies got the rally started with a leadoff double and moved to third on 2B Paul Gran’s single prior to coming home on SS Chris Gutierrez’s run-scoring base knock to cut the deficit to 6-5. 3B Shawn Bowman would follow with a two-run double to left to push the Suns into the lead, which they would not give up.
Jacksonville got the scoring started with single tallies in the first and third frames. Gutierrez drew a free pass to begin the contest and eventually was brought home on an RBI groundout, while 1B German Duran left the yard to start the third frame. It was Duran’s second longball of the year, which gave the Suns an early 2-0 advantage.
After Blue Wahoos pinch hitter Stephen Hunt and CF Ryan LaMarre began the sixth with a single and base-on-balls, SS Didi Gregorius reached on an error, with Hunt scoring on the play. LaMarre and Gregorius would then be sent in on 2B Brodie Greene’s two-run single to center, which provided the Fish with a 3-2 lead. 3B David Vidal then subsequently singled home Greene after a double from RF Josh Fellhauer, while Pensacola also used a suicide squeeze bunt and sacrifice fly to bring home the final two scores of the frame.
Suns reliever Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the win to move to 2-3 after his scoreless inning of work, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 SO) suffered the loss. Jacksonville closer Evan Reed (1.0 IP, 2 SO) shut the door in the ninth to notched his 11th save of the year.
Duran (3-5, 3 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI) , Bowman (3-5, 3 2B, 3 RBI) and Jefferies (3-5, 1 R, 1 2B) all accumulated three hits in the contest and CF Donnie Webb (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) also recorded a multi-hit game, while Pensacola batters tallied two or more base knocks.
The Suns and Blue Wahoos will face off again on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, which first pitch set for 2:05 PM. The Fish are scheduled to send LHP Tony Cingrani to the hill in his Double-A debut after being promoted from High-A Bakersfield on Friday, while Jacksonville is expected to send LHP Jose Alvarez to toe the rubber.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Josh Fellhauer reached base three times in the Pensacola Blue Wahoo’s 9-6 loss Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Generals Sweep Doubleheader Over The Pensacola Wahoos
June 2, 2012
The Generals swept Pensacola in their double header, taking the first contest 6-1, before Jackson walked off with a 2-1 extra-inning victory over the Blue Wahoos in the second game on Friday evening at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jackson took the opening game of the twinbill behind a solid seven inning complete game effort from starting pitcher Brandon Maurer. The right-hander earned his third win of the year after yielding only a lone earned run on just four hits in his strong outing. Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino suffered the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits in three frames, though relievers Chris Manno and Wilkin De La Rosa combined for three shutout frames in the defeat.
The Generals powered ahead to an early 5-0 advantage in the opening frame. C Jesus Sucre started the scoring by driving in two with a single to right, his first of four hits in the contest, before a fielding miscue allowed the next run to come across. LF Kalian Sams would then launch a solo homer to left to complete the inning’s output. A bases loaded free pass in the third extended the Jackson margin to 6-0.
The Blue Wahoos would plate their lone run in the fifth to dash the Generals’ shutout hopes. After 1B Joel Guzman reached on a lead-off walk, 3B P.J. Phillips sent in Guzman with a run-scoring double to center for Pensacola’s lone score of the contest.
It was a pitcher’s duel in game two with neither team giving way until the tenth, when the Blue Wahoos scored their only run of the contest. 3B David Vidal walked and advanced to third on 1B Stephen Hunt’s single prior to an RBI groundout from C Chris Berset, which put the Fish ahead.
The Generals however, would answer with two scores in the bottom of the frame to end the contest. Sucre singled and 1B Joseph Dunigan walked, before both moved a base on a wild pitch to set the stage for 3B Francisco Martinez. The third baseman grounded a single into right to bring home both Sucre and Dunigan to end the game and series.
Despite surrendering the run in the tenth, Jackson reliever Steven Hensley (3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) earned the win to improve to 2-2, while Blue Wahoos RHP Justin Freeman (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss after yielding the final two tallies. Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), in addition to Donnie Joseph (1.1 IP, 3 SO) and Curtis Partch (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 SO), totaled nine shutout frames, while Generals starter Jandy Sena (4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 SO) teamed up with relief pitchers Bobby LaFraomboise (0.2 IP) and Carter Capps (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 SO) for seven scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a five-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, beginning on Saturday night at 6:30 pm. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the mound to begin the series, while the Suns are expected to start LHP Jose Alvarez.
By Andrew Green
Blue Wahoos To Host Free Baseball Clinic
June 1, 2012
Chevy Youth Sports, in conjunction with the Blue Wahoos and the Miracle League of Pensacola will host free baseball clinics on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3. Youth league members will spend a half day in various rotations such as fielding, hitting, and pitching.
Pre-registration for these clinics is required, with the deadline to sign-up two days before the scheduled clinic. Each child must also bring a signed clinic waiver (available online) to the registration table on the day of the clinic.
There will be two clinics on Saturday morning, with the first through the Miracle League of Pensacola, which will take place from 8:00-9:00 am, with check-in starting at 7:30 am. Those interested in this event can go to ChevyYouthSports.com/RSVP and select Miracle League of Pensacola, and use the log-in password playball.
A separate two hour clinic will then be held Saturday from 10:00 am until noon, with lunch following, while Sunday will also feature two-hour instruction from 9:00 am until 11:00 am, with lunch right after. Check-in for both of these clinics begins one hour prior.
Interested parties must register at ChevyYouthSports.com/RSVP and then selecting Mobile-Pensacola, using the RSVP log-in password playball.
Family members are invited to tag along for a fun day in the sun!
Participants will need to wear and bring their own baseball gear and water bottle. Practice apparel or team uniforms are acceptable, as are cleats or tennis shoes. Each child should have their own glove, and may bring their own bat if available.
Subway High School All-Star Fans Donate 1,200 Pounds Of Food
June 1, 2012
The 2011-12 Subway High School All-Star Series Presented by the Andrews Institute was more than just playing sports, recognizing tremendous athletes, and having fun; it was about helping a great cause and helping feed the hungry. Over the five all-star events – volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, and baseball and softball – fans attending the games donated more than 1,200 pounds of food at the gate to be given to the Manna Food Pantry.
Fans were encouraged to bring canned good items and non-perishable foods to the games to receive a discount off the ticket price. After each all-star game, the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) delivered the food to the Manna Food Pantry located in downtown Pensacola.
Manna Food Pantry distributes their food in bundles big enough to feed a person for five days. The 1,200 pounds of food is equivalent to feeding up to 40 people for five days.
“The PSA’s slogan is ‘Sports…More Than Just a Game!’,” said PSA’s Executive Director Ray Palmer. “We are proud of the Subway High School All-Star Series, its fans, parents, and supporters to help us further promote our mission and help other organizations and people who are in need.”
The 2012-13 Subway High School All-Star Series will begin in November, 2012 with the all-star volleyball game. Dates and venues of all the all-star events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Blue Wahoos At Jackson Generals Postponed Due To Rain
June 1, 2012
Thursday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and Jackson Generals has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will close out their five-game series with a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 5:05 p.m.
Both games will be seven-inning contests. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The pitching matchups for each game have not yet been determined.
The Blue Wahoos will return home following the game to begin their five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
Blue Wahoos Beat Jackson
May 31, 2012
Kyle Lotzkar (2-1) had more than enough run support as the Blue Wahoos scored all seven of their runs over the game’s first three innings on Wednesday afternoon at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Lotzkar went on to have one of his best starts of the season by matching his season high for strikeouts with eight over six innings.
Pensacola got on the board when Josh Fellhauer singled home Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first putting the Wahoos in front 1-0. They added some cushion with two more in the second on Mark Fleury’s RBI double and an error on a batted ball by Brodie Greene later in the inning. The Blue Wahoos opened it up with a four-run third that included Fleury’s second RBI double of the game. He also scored later in the inning. All seven runs were charged to the Generals’ starter Taylor Stanton (0-1) who ended up taking the loss.
Meanwhile, Lotzkar pitched very well on his way to earning the win for Pensacola. This was his first start during his time with the double-A club that he didn’t issue a walk. He also matched his overall season high with eight punchouts, something he hadn’t done since his first start of the season on April 9 while pitching with Bakersfield (advanced-A). He allowed just two runs in the fourth inning when he gave up back-to-back extra base hits to Kalian Sams (double) and Chih-Hsien Chiang (triple) to start the inning.
P.J. Phillips joined Fleury with a multi-hit game by going 2-for-5. He also scored a pair of runs and drove in one.
The series continues on Thursday night at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-2, 3.50) to the mound against Jackson righty Brandon Maurer (2-1, 4.38).
Pictured: Kyle Lotzkar yielded just two earned runs over six innings as the Wahoos beat Jackson 7-3 Wednesday in Tennessee. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.