Free Fishing In Florida
May 30, 2010
Saltwater fishing is free this weekend in Florida as state officials hope to lure visitors and residents to the coast amid fears from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Gov. Charlie Crist signed an executive order establishing two free fishing weekends to help draw visitors to the beaches of the Sunshine State. Both residents and nonresidents in Florida can fish for saltwater species around the state without a license during the Memorial Day weekend, May 29 to May 31, and the weekend of June 5 and 6, which is the first weekend after the popular red snapper season opens in the Gulf on June 1. All other fishing rules apply.
“Florida is the fishing capital of the world,” said Governor Crist, “Our beaches are clear, the fish are biting, and we invite our friends to enjoy some Florida hospitality.”
Chairman Rodney Baretto of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) applauded the Governor’s decision.
“Governor Crist’s actions to offer free fishing this weekend will do wonders for our business communities that have been suffering cancellations since the oil spill started,” Barreto said. “We are not experiencing any oil impacts, and the fact remains that Florida is open for business.”
The FWC will continue to monitor all of the potential impacts of the oil spill on Florida’s fish and wildlife and continue to be involved with many aspects of the oil spill response, Barreto added. In addition, the FWC has consulted with key representatives from several fishing organizations in Florida who are very concerned about inaccurate public perceptions regarding the condition of Florida’s fisheries and the state’s marine environment. There has been strong agreement from these stakeholders that the fishing business in Florida is “as usual” and that fishing remains a safe and viable recreational and commercial activity.
Go to www.MyFWC.com/Fishing to learn about fishing regulations in Florida.
Photos: NWE Closing Ceremony With Scoop
May 29, 2010
Closing ceremonies were held Friday evening for Northwest Escambia little league, with “Scoop” from the Pensacola Pelicans handing out awards.
Several adults were also honored, including Yankees’ manager Joey Hasty who was presented the NWE Tony Hollingsworth Manager of the Year Award, and Jason Peebles and Sandy Brown who were named Volunteer of the Year.
For a photo gallery from the event, click here.
Submitted photos by Annie Wiedel for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Do you have local ballpark photos to share? Email them news@northescambia.com
Two Zachs Each Hit Three-Run Homers
May 28, 2010
Two different players named Zach each hit three-run homers Thursday night as a Northwest Escambia Major League boys team finished their season with a win. Zach Payne, 11, (pictured right) hit a three-run home run in the first inning, and Zach Holland had a three run homer in the fifth as their Amerson Roofing team picked up a 16-12 win. Submitted photo by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cats Scratch Pensacola Pelicans
May 28, 2010
The Cats (6-7) grinded out 18 hits off Pelicans pitching to propell them to a resounding 11-5 win over the Pelicans (5-9) Thursday night.
The Cats struck first blood in the 1st inning against Aaron Jackson, when John Allen hit a high bouncing ball up the middle into center to bring in Brian Fryer to make it 1-0 Cats. The Cats woulkdn’t stop there as Seth Fortebberry hammered a double down the right field line which scored Allen to make it 2-0. The scoring didn’t stop there as Kelley Gulledge hit a bouncing ball that snuck through the right side of the infield to bring home Fortenberry for a 3-0 lead. One batter later, Brenan Herrera laced a single to left center to score Gulledge to cap the scoring in the inning at 4-0.
The Cats would tack on three more runs in the 3rd with RBI singles from Herrera, Fryer, and McCoola which busted the game open early for the Cats with the score at 7-0.
The Pels wouldn’t go down quietly and got back in the game in the 4th inning. With runners on first and second with nobody out, John Alonso hit a boomingt ball off the left center field fence to score Javier Brito and Marcos Rodgriguez to cute the deficit to five 7-2.
Lou Palmisano walked following Alonso’s hit. Chase Porch would bunt the runners over and Dallas Christison would bring home Alonso on an RBI groundout to short to make it 7-3 Cats.
The Cats would get a run back on a wild pitch from Pelican Aaron starter which would score Rob Recuenco to increase the lead back to 8-3.
The Pels would get that run right back with one out and nobody on, Antoin Gray hit a towering homerun to left for his first homerun of the 2010 campaign to make it 8-4.
The Cats would add a run in the 6th on an RBI single from Gulledge to get the lead back up to 9-4.
Leading off the bottom of the 6th, Adolfo Gonzalez hit a bomb to left field for his 2nd homerun of the season to make it 9-5.
The Cats would add on to their run total as Herrera hit a blooping single over Gray’s out-stretched glove to score Gulledge to make it 10-5. Jeremy Sauceda would follow with a RBI double down the left field line to give the Cats an 11-5 lead.
Tim Bittner (1-2) gets the win as he pitched 6 innings and gave up 4 runs off 7 hits.
The loss goes to Aaron Jackson (0-2) as he was tagged for 9 runs off 13 hits while striking out 5.
The Pelicans finish the homestand at 3-4 and will be back on the road starting Saturday night against the Shreveport-Bossier Captains. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm with the pregame show at 6:55pm on pensacolapelicans.com.
Pelicans Beat The Cats 7-2
May 27, 2010
The Pelicans (5-8) got a solid pitching performance from Jared Gothreaux and 2 RBI’s each from Javier Brito and Dallas Christison to lead the way in a 7-2 victory over the Cats (5-7) Wednesday night
The Pelicans offense stuck in the 1st inning when they had runners on first and second with one out and Javier Brito at the plate. Brito hit a high bouncer down the 3rd base line for a 2-run RBI double to give the Pels an early 2-0 lead. Marcos Rodriguez walked following Brito’s hit, then Alonso hit a chopper to Brenan Herrera at third which took a high hop off his glove and rolled in left field which scored Brito to make it 3-0.
In the 2nd inning, the Pels struck again as Adolfo Gonzalez drove a ball off the left field wall to score Dallas Christison to jump out to a 4-0 lead.
The Cats would get on the board in the 6th inning when John Allen would flip a single to right to score Rob Recuenco to make it a 4-1 game. Fort Worth would add a run on Seth Fortenberry hitting into a double play which scored Brian Fryer to cut the lead in half for the Pels 4-2. There was no RBI recorded for Fortenberry on the play.
In the 7th inning, Pensacola would open up the lead a bit more when newcomer Chase Porch would beat out a grounder with the bases loaded to give himself his first professional baseball RBI and give the Pels a 5-2 lead. Dallas Christison would follow with a sharp grounder down the left field line to bring home Rodriguez and Porch to bust the game open 7-2.
Adolfo Gonzalez went 4 for 5 with a run batted in for the night.
Jared Gothreaux (2-1) got the win as pitched 6 solid innings only giving up 2 runs off 8 hits. Pelicans reliever Ron Hill followed Gothreaux with pitching a scoreless 7th and 8th inning.
Pelicans hurler Nick Slack gave up a run in the 9th on an RBI single from Jaremy Sauceda and got Rob Recuenco to fly out to center to end the ballgame for a 7-3 win for Pensacola.
Jason Fernandez (0-2) takes the loss as he gives 4 runs-3 earned off 8 hits and struck out five.
Local Girl Is Regional Twirling Winner
May 27, 2010
Colbi Kendall of Flomaton recently brought home several trophies in a regional baton twirling competition in Wetumpka, Ala.
She placed first in open dance twirl, first in regional dance twirl, first in regional 1 baton, and second in regional 3 baton competitions. The regional event included twirlers from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Kendall’s instructor is Melissa Majors who conducts Century, Pace and Pensacola for her Santa Rosa and Escambia Twirlers.
Pictured top: Colbi Kendall of Flomaton won several trophies recently at a regional baton twirling competition. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pace Wins 5A Championship
May 26, 2010
The Pace Patriots won the Florida High School Athletic Association 5A state championship Tuesday night with a 6-5 win over Armwood in eight innings.
Pace was behind 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth but rallied to tie it 5-5. The teams continued without scoring until the eighth. That’s when the Patriots loaded the bases. At 2-2, David Casey drove the winning run over the third baseman.
It was the 25th win in a row and the fourth state title for the Patriots.
Here is a complete, play-by-play look at the action:
ARMWOOD 1st – J Fameree singled to shortstop. J Spano grounded into double
play 3b to 2b to 1b; J Fameree out on the play. T Alexander flied out to rf. 0
runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 1st – CT Bradford walked. D Casey hit by pitch; CT Bradford
advanced to second. Higgenbothem walked; D Casey advanced to second; CT Bradford
advanced to third. A Russell singled to center field, advanced to second on a
fielding error by cf, 2 RBI; Higgenbothem advanced to third; D Casey scored; CT
Bradford scored. J Reeves flied out to cf, SF, RBI; Higgenbothem scored. K Desposito
flied out to rf; A Russell advanced to third. J Barlow doubled to right field, RBI;
A Russell scored. R Way struck out swinging. 4 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
ARMWOOD 2nd – Z Powers grounded out to 2b. M Mahoney singled to left field. T
Emmons hit by pitch; M Mahoney advanced to second. S Cramer grounded into double
play ss to 2b to 1b; T Emmons out on the play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1
LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 2nd – P Ervin grounded out to 2b. CT Bradford popped up to ss.
D Casey flied out to rf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
ARMWOOD 3rd – T Pierson hit by pitch. PJ Roundtree singled to third base,
bunt; T Pierson advanced to third. PJ Roundtree stole second. J Fameree singled to
center field, advanced to second on the throw, RBI; PJ Roundtree advanced to third;
T Pierson scored. CT Bradford to p. D Casey to cf. P Ervin to lf. J Salter to rf for
C Hemphill. J Spano grounded out to ss, RBI; J Fameree advanced to third; PJ
Roundtree scored. T Alexander singled up the middle, RBI; J Fameree scored. T
Alexander stole second. Z Powers walked. M Mahoney grounded out to p; Z Powers
advanced to second; T Alexander advanced to third. T Emmons reached on a fielding
error by 2b, advanced to second on a throwing error by cf, advanced to third; Z
Powers scored, unearned; T Alexander scored, unearned. S Cramer struck out swinging.
5 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 1 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 3rd – Higgenbothem grounded out to 3b. A Russell walked. J
Reeves singled to left field; A Russell advanced to second. K Desposito reached on a
fielding error by ss; J Reeves advanced to second; A Russell advanced to third. J
Barlow popped up to 2b. R Way popped up to ss. 0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 LOB.
ARMWOOD 4th – T Pierson singled to right field. PJ Roundtree popped into
double play p to 1b, bunt; T Pierson out on the play. J Fameree reached on an error
by 1b, advanced to second, assist by p. J Spano flied out to cf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 1
error, 1 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 4th – P Ervin grounded out to 2b. CT Bradford flied out to lf.
D Casey grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
ARMWOOD 5th – T Alexander struck out swinging. Z Powers flied out to cf. M
Mahoney grounded out to 3b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 5th – Higgenbothem walked. A Russell walked; Higgenbothem
advanced to second. J Reeves hit by pitch; A Russell advanced to second;
Higgenbothem advanced to third. J Fameree to cf. J Spano to c. T Alexander to p. T
Emmons to 2b. K Desposito reached on a fielder’s choice to third base, RBI; J Reeves
advanced to second; A Russell advanced to third; Higgenbothem scored. J Barlow
fouled out to 1b. R Way struck out swinging. P Ervin struck out swinging. 1 run,
0 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
ARMWOOD 6th – T Emmons grounded out to 3b. S Cramer flied out to cf. T
Pierson struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 6th – CT Bradford struck out looking. D Casey flied out to cf.
Higgenbothem flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
ARMWOOD 7th – PJ Roundtree out at first p to ss to 1b. J Fameree singled to
center field. J Spano grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; J Fameree out on the
play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 7th – A Russell grounded out to 3b. J Reeves singled to center
field. K Desposito grounded into double play 2b to ss to 1b; J Reeves out on the
play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
ARMWOOD 8th – T Alexander grounded out to 2b. Z Powers grounded out to 1b
unassisted. M Mahoney walked. T Emmons struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 1 LOB.
PACE PATRIOTS 8th – J Barlow reached on a throwing error by ss, advanced to
second. M Bass pinch ran for J Barlow. J Salter pinch hit for R Way. / for J
Salter. M Bass stole third. J Salter struck out swinging. P Ervin walked. CT
Bradford intentionally walked; P Ervin advanced to second. D Casey singled to left
field, RBI; CT Bradford advanced to second; P Ervin advanced to third; M Bass
scored, unearned. 1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 3 LOB.
Jarrett Parker Wins Big In Mississippi Dirt Track Racing
May 25, 2010
A Molino teen picked up a couple of big kart racing wins this past weekend.
Jarrett Parker, a freshman at Northview High School, had two first place finishes in the MS/Maxxis Dirt Track Series at Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS. He qualified on the pole in the Jr. Gold FH and took the win. In the Jr. Gold Animal division, he qualified fourth and fought his way to another win.
Parker is currently leading points chase in the Jr. Gold MX/Maxxis Dirt Track Series. He won the state championships in both Alabama and Mississippi last year. He has previously competed, either winning or placing, in races across Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
Parker, who has been kart racing since 2003, is the son of Scott and Tammy Parker of Molino.
Pictured: Jarrett Parker of Molino prepares for a race this past weekend at the Whynot Motorsports Park in Meridian, MS. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wrapup: Complete Play By Play Jay Vs. Shorecrest Prep
May 25, 2010
Here is a complete play-by-play recap from Jay’s loss Monday to Shorecrest Prep in the state 2-A semi-final game.
For more on the game, click here.
SHORECREST PREP starters: 14/cf J Rothwell; 15/ss B Rasmussen; 4/c M Brakeman; 23/3b
S Heath; 19/1b J Oorlog; 10/dh J Kiracofe; 20/p T Larson; 24/2b A Roy; 3/lf
JBrandenburg; 16/rf B Kinter;
JAY ROYALS starters: 10/cf H Boutwell; 14/p H Brown; 9/c R Hendricks; 20/3b D Smith;
2/lf K Stanton; 12/dh C Weekes; 5/rf P Roberts; 7/1b T Prescott; 4/ss S Gandy; 16/2b
Z Gavin;
SHORECREST PREP 1st – J Rothwell singled to left field. J Rothwell stole
second. B Rasmussen singled to pitcher, bunt; J Rothwell advanced to third. M
Brakeman singled to center field, RBI; B Rasmussen advanced to second; J Rothwell
scored. S Heath grounded out to p; M Brakeman advanced to second; B Rasmussen
advanced to third. J Oorlog reached on a fielder’s choice, SAC, bunt, RBI; M
Brakeman advanced to third; B Rasmussen scored. J Kiracofe singled to first base,
bunt, RBI; J Oorlog advanced to second; M Brakeman scored. T Larson doubled down the
lf line, RBI; J Kiracofe advanced to third; J Oorlog scored. A Roy struck out
swinging. JBrandenburg grounded out to 2b. 4 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 1st – H Boutwell grounded out to 3b. H Brown grounded out to 2b. R
Hendricks reached on a throwing error by ss, advanced to second on the throw. D
Smith flied out to lf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 2nd – J Rothwell doubled to right center. B Rasmussen out at
first p to 2b, SAC, bunt; J Rothwell advanced to third. M Brakeman popped up to 3b.
S Heath grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 2nd – K Stanton tripled to right field. C Weekes singled, advanced
to second on a throwing error by 3b; K Stanton scored. P Roberts grounded out to 1b
unassisted; C Weekes advanced to third. T Prescott grounded out to 2b, RBI; C Weekes
scored, unearned. S Gandy singled to right field. H Boutwell walked; S Gandy
advanced to second. S Gandy advanced to third on a throwing error by c, failed
pickoff attempt. H Brown grounded out to 2b. 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 errors, 2 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 3rd – J Oorlog struck out looking. J Kiracofe flied out to
cf. T Larson grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 3rd – R Hendricks singled to right field. D Smith struck out
swinging. K Stanton grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; R Hendricks out on the
play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 4th – A Roy reached on a fielding error by ss. JBrandenburg
reached on a throwing error by 3b, SAC, bunt; A Roy advanced to third. J Rothwell
grounded into double play ss to 1b; JBrandenburg out on the play; A Roy scored,
unearned. B Rasmussen flied out to lf. 1 run, 0 hits, 2 errors, 0 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 4th – C Weekes lined out to 2b. P Roberts singled to center field.
T Prescott reached on a fielder’s choice to pitcher, bunt; P Roberts out at second p
to ss. S Gandy reached on a fielder’s choice to shortstop; T Prescott out at second
ss to 2b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 5th – M Brakeman grounded out to 2b. S Heath singled to left
field. J Oorlog popped up to p, bunt. J Kiracofe struck out looking. 0 runs, 1
hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 5th – H Boutwell grounded out to 3b. H Brown struck out looking. R
Hendricks tripled to center field. D Walker pinch ran for R Hendricks. D Smith
struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 6th – R Hendricks to c for D Walker. T Larson flied out to
lf. A Roy flied out to cf. JBrandenburg grounded out to p. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0
errors, 0 LOB.
JAY ROYALS 6th – K Stanton singled to center field. K Stanton advanced to
second on a wild pitch. C Weekes grounded out to p; K Stanton advanced to third. P
Roberts singled to center field, RBI; K Stanton scored. M Brakeman to p. S Heath to
c. T Larson to 2b. A Roy to 3b. T Prescott grounded out to 2b; P Roberts advanced to
second. S Gandy singled to right field; P Roberts advanced to third. S Gandy stole
second. H Boutwell struck out looking. 1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
SHORECREST PREP 7th – J Rothwell walked. B Rasmussen grounded out to 3b, SAC,
bunt; J Rothwell advanced to second. M Brakeman flied out to cf. J Rothwell advanced
to third on a wild pitch. S Heath fouled out to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1
LOB.
JAY ROYALS 7th – H Brown grounded out to 1b unassisted. R Hendricks popped up
to ss. D Smith singled to left field. T Sweeney pinch ran for D Smith. K Stanton
singled to first base; T Sweeney advanced to third. C Weekes struck out swinging.
0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Pelicans Pummel AirHogs 12-2
May 25, 2010
The Pelicans (4-7) banged out 4 homeruns and got a stellar pitching performance from David Nathanson to beat the AirHogs (6-4) 12-2 to earn a series split in the 4 game series.
The Pels got their run-scoring groove started in the 3rd when Francisco Leandro hit a sacrifice fly to left center to bring in Dallas Christison to give the Pels an early 1-0 lead. The next hitter Adolfo Gonzalez then belted a fastball from jared Schrom over the left field fence for a 2-run homerun to give the Pels a 3-0 lead. It was the first Pelican not named Lou Palmisano to hit a homerun this season.
The Pelicans wouldn’t stop there as guess what Lou Palmisano turned on a inside fastball and drove it to left for his 4th homer of the year to give give the Pels a commanding 5-0 lead.
The AirHogs got on the board in the 4th as Aaron Garza ripped a double down the 3rd base line to drive home Greg Porter to make it 5-1.
In the 5th inning, Javier Brito got in on the homerun party as he hit a deep fly to left which was a no doubter for a solo shot to give the Pels a 6-1 lead. Palmisano added an RBI single in the same frame to give Pensacola a 7-1 lead. Palmisano finished the night going 2 for 3 with a walk and 2 RBI’s.
The game got out of hand in the 7th inning as Marcos Rodriguez hit a majestic 3-run shot to right for his 1st homer and the 4th homer by a Pelican in the game. The 3-run shot gave the Pels a 10-1 lead.
The Pels would go on to beat the AirHogs 12-2. It was a night to remember for the Maitland, Florida native David Nathanson (1-0) as he pitched all 9 innings for his 1st complete game and first by a Pelican this season. Nathanson only allowed 2 runs off 6 hits and struck out 5.
Jared Schrom (1-1) took the loss as he went only 5 innings giving up 6 runs off 8 hits.