Escambia Holds Groundbreaking On $8.8 Million Southwest Sportsplex
June 29, 2011
Escambia County held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new $8.8 million sports facility in southwest Escambia County.
The Southwest Sportsplex will sit on approximately 200 acres on Bauer Road and will house multiple lighted baseball, softball, soccer and football fields, an open play area, walking trails,
playground, covered pavilions and parking.
The total cost of the project — including athletic fields, pavilions, and playground — is anticipated to be $8.8 million from Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) monies.
Time Running Out To Register For Firecracker 5K
June 29, 2011
Time is running out to register for the annual Firecracker 5K to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
The event will be held Saturday, July 2 at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Pensacola. Free beverages and food are provided for all participants and tank shirts are guaranteed to the first 500 registrants. Awards are given for top runners, walkers and wheelchair racers overall and in age divisions.
To celebrate Independence Day with a bang and take part in the Firecracker 5K, register at www.active.com. For more informaiton, call the Ronald McDonald House at (850) 477-2273.
Tri-County Advances In Tournament Play, NWE Still Alive
June 28, 2011
The 9-10 and 11-12 year old Tri-County All Stars are moving on undefeated in Florida District 1 Little League tournament play after wins Monday evening, while Northwest Escambia remains alive in 11-12 year old play.
Tri-County 2 Niceville White 1 (ages 9-10)
The Tri-County 9-10 year olds came from behind in the sixth inning to win their second round playoff game Tuesday evening, 2-1 over Niceville White.
Tri-County was led by Judd Smith who went 3-3 with a three singles. Seth Killam went 2-4 with a single and a double, and both Trevor Flowers and Jackson Free went 1-3 with a single. Flowers allowed just two Niceville hits and striking out three. Killam struck out four of six batters.
Tri-County allowed just three errors during the game.
Tri-County advances to the next round at 7:30 Wednesday in Shalimar. Tri-County will face Niceville Maroon, which beat Shalimar 13-1 Monday.
Tri-County 8 Northwest Escambia 3 (ages 11-12)
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars defeated Northwest Escambia 8-3 Monday evening. With the win, Tri-County advances to take on Niceville at 7:30 Wednesday in Niceville. Northwest Escambia gets another shot in the loser’s bracket Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against DeFuniak Springs.
Pictured top: Jackson Free slides in for the Tri-County 9-10 year olds. Pictured inset: Nathan Archer on the mound for Tri-County. Submitted photos by Tammie Free for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tennis Anyone? Court Ready To Play In Century
June 27, 2011
Century has recently rehabilitated the town’s tennis court at Showalter Park.
A few months ago, the court was overgrown with grass, did not have a good net and was in a general state of disrepair. According to Mayor Freddie McCall, the tennis court had not been used in several years.
After a suggestion by a citizen at a town council meeting, the town cleaned up the court and installed a new net.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Allstars Pick Up Wins
June 27, 2011
The 9-10 and 11-12 year old Tri-County All Stars both picked up wins over the weekend to advance in Florida District 1 Little League tournament play.
Tri-County 9-10
The Tri-County 9-10 year olds won their opening game against Destin Saturday night in Shalimar, 10-1. Winning pitcher Nathan Archer had five strikeouts in 3½ innings pitched. Relief pitcher Seth Killam added three strikeouts and Tanner Levins closed out the win for Tri-County.
The Tri-County offensive attack was led by Trevor Flowers and Jackson Free with two runs each, and Judd Smith with two runs, a double and pinch-run for Garrick Davis. Archer had a run and double, Killam added a run, a single and a double, and Slader Nash and Jajuan Brooks added a run each.
Tri-County advances to play Niceville White Monday evening at 5:30 in Shalimar.
Tri-County 11-12
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars defeated Shalimar 4-2 Saturday with solo homers by Jackson and Moore. They advance to take on Northwest Escambia Monday at 5:30 in Niceville.
Scores: Tri-County All Stars; 7-8 Little League Molino, Tri-County
June 12, 2011
He is a look at local little league tournament action from Saturday:
Tri-County 7-8 All Stars
Tri-County’s 7-8 year old advanced to the tournament championship game Sunday at John. R. Jones Athletic Park in Pensacola
Tri-County lost their first game to Myrtle Grove Gold 19-12 Saturday morning. They bounce back in the losers’ bracket, beating A&G 18-16. In their third game of the day, Tri-County eliminated NEP Gold from the tournament 26-25.
Tri-County claimed their spot in the championship by eliminating NEP Blue 23-22. Tri-County will get another shot at Myrtle Grove Gold in Sunday’s championship game.
Tri-County, Molino FL Dist 1 Little League
In the 7-8 year old Machine Pitch Baseball Tournament for Florida District 1 Little League at Niceville, Tri-County beat Shalimar 12-8 on Saturday. They will advance to play Defuniak Springs B at 7:30 Monday night. Defuniak B is coming off a 8-7 win over Niceville #2.
In other action, Destin beat Molino Saturday 12-2. Molino will get another shot in the tournament Monday as they face Defuniak Springs A at 6:30 p.m. Defuniak A lost Saturday to Niceville #1 17-5.
Tri-County Beats Myrtle Grove
June 11, 2011
The Tri-County All Stars 7-year olds picked up a big tournament win over Myrtle Grove White Friday night in Pensacola. Tri-County beat Myrtle Grove 25-10. Tri-County will take on Myrtle Grove Green Saturday. Submitted cellular phone photos by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Maher, Hadley Chosen For AISA All-Star Team
June 9, 2011
Keaton Maher of Century, Escambia Academy graduate, and Jarrett Hadley, a junior at Escambia Academy, were chosen for this year’s AISA All-Star Baseball Team at Troy University. The two played with and against the top players in the Alabama Independent School Association.
Maher was pitcher and first baseman for the senior team while Hadley, who is from Bay Minette, was shortstop and center for the junior team.
Pictured: Keaton Maher and Jarrett Hadley, were chosen for this year’s AISA All-Star Baseball Team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Baseball Coach Stepping Down
June 8, 2011
Todd Boyd, the Tate Aggies’ head baseball coach has announced that he is stepping down after six seasons.
Boyd was named head coach the season after the Aggies won the state championship in 2005. The Aggies have not made it past the district level since then.
Tate High School will immediately being their search for a new coach to lead the Aggies baseball program. The opening must be advertised by the Escambia County School District for two weeks before candidates can be interviewed.
UWF Argos Win First-Ever National Championship
June 5, 2011
The University of West Florida Argos won their first-ever national title Saturday with a 12-2 win over Winona State in Cary, N.C.
“It’s an amazing moment and a great moment for West Florida baseball, the University of West Florida and the Pensacola community. As a coach, you work hard and you wonder as you’re out there in the hot sun, doing field work and doing individual work with the guys if anyone is ever going to see the fruits of your hard work. There are so many great teams across the country working hard, too. It’s special. Words can’t describe it,” Argos Head Coach Mike Jeffcoat said.
“When you get four runs in the first inning, you go out there and just pitch to contact – throw strikes, not try to strike everyone out. Our hitters did what they’ve done all year, just try to put the ball in play and let the ball do the work. Our defense was amazing again today. An outstanding performance by our infield and outfield. It’s just a great job all around,” Said UWF pitcher Daniel Vargas-Vila.
With the win, UWF ended their record setting season at 52-9.
“It’s exciting. Words really can’t describe how great this feels. We’ve worked for it all year. Jumping out to a big lead like that was huge. We were excited throughout the whole game, but still trying to stay focused, stay in the moment, not lose ourselves. It’s just a great feeling,” said UWF right fielder Greg Pron.