Shorecrest Prep Beats Jay 5-3 In State Semi-Finals
May 24, 2010
The Jay Royals lost to the Shorecrest Prep Chargers 5-3 in seven innings Monday afternoon in the Class 2 semi-finals in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.
Shorecrest took an early lead in the first 4-0, thanks in part to a wet, slick field that had the Royals slipping and the Chargers with three consecutive singles.
Kevin Stanton led the bottom of the third with a triple. Conner Weekes scored from third on an third baseman error to make it 4-1 in the bottom of the second. Then Stanton was in from third to make it 4-2.
In the sixth, a single up the center by Payden Roberts scored Stanton to make it 5-3. The Royals almost pulled off a rally in the bottom of the sixth, but Hunter Boutwell struck out with runners on second and third for the final out of the inning.
Hunter Brown pitched seven inning for the Royals, allowing seven hits, four errors and striking out three.
Rush Hendricks was 2-4, D Smith was was 1-4, Kevin Stanton was 3-4 with two runs, C Weekes was 1-4 with a run, P Roberts was 2-3 with an RB, T Prescott had an RBI, Sawyer Gandy was 2-3.
For a complete play-by-play recap from Monday’s game, click here.
The Royals (18-8) won their only state championship in 1970.
Photos courtesy WEAR 3.
AirHogs Pounce the Pelicans 12-4
May 24, 2010
The AirHogs (6-3) stormed out of the gates early Sunday and scored often to beat the Pelicans (3-7) 12-4.
In the 1st inning, Greg Porter got the Hogs going as he singled in David Espinosa to give them an early 1-0 lead.
The Pelicans responded in the 2nd as John Alonso ripped a fastball from Luke Prihoda into right centerfield to drive in Javier Brito all the way from 1st base to tie the game up at 1.
The 3rd inning was a nightmare for Pelican starter Kevin Cooper and his squad. Greg Porter had an RBI groundout to give the Hogs a 2-1 lead. Jaun Camacho followed with an infield RBI single to make it 3-1. With the score 4-1, Joe Spiers had a big hit and he ticketed a ball into centerfield for 2 more runs to score which busted things open for the Hogs and made it 6-1.
In the bottom half of the third, Antoin Gray belted a single into right center to bring home Francisco Leandro to make it 6-2.
The AirHogs added two more runs in the 4th with an RBi groundout from Porter and an RBI single from Robert Perry to make it an 8-2 advantage for Grand Prairie.
With the score 9-2 in the 5th inning, the Pels Adolfo Gonzalez had an RBI groundout along with an RBI single from Javier Brito which cut the score to 9-4.
The AirHogs added 2 more runs in the 6th and 1 more in the 9th to beat the Pelicans 12-4 on the 1st Kids Club Sunday at Pelican Park this season.
Luke Prihoda (1-0) gets the win as he gave up 4 runs off 9 hits and struck out 5 in 5 innings pitched. Greg Krause protected the win for Prihoda and got his 1st save of the season and he tossed 4 scoreless innings to complete the game.
It was a very tough night for Pelican starter Kevin Cooper as he served up 9 runs-only 3 of them earned off 12 hits through 5 innings pitched.
Francisco was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored in a losing effort for Pensacola.
Jose Duran, Robert Perry, and Chad Gabriel all had 3 hits on the night to lead the AirHogs offensive display.
The Pelicans and AirHogs will complete the 4 game series Monday night with the first pitched scheduled for 6:45pm.
AirHogs Bang Out 22 Hits to Hold Off Pelicans 19-17
May 23, 2010
The AirHogs (5-3) and Pelicans (3-6) engaged in a run scoring barrage as both teams had RBI’s all over the place all game long. In the end, the AirHogs fought off the pesky Pelicans 19-17.
The AirHogs had 22 hits as a team. In the 2nd inning, Flint Wipke got the game’s first three run by driving a belt-high fastball from Aaron Jackson over the left field fence to give the Hogs an early 3-0 lead.
The AirHogs would tack on three more runs in the 3rd capped off by a high boucing 2-run RBI single by Chad Gabriel over the drawn-in infield to give the Hogs a 6-0 lead.
The Pelicans battled back in the 3rd with the bases loaded and one out with Antoin Gray at the plate. Gray lined a single into left center to cut the AirHog lead to 6-2. Javier Brito and Marcos Rodriguez would drive in an RBI in the same inning to make it 6-4 Hogs.
The 4th inning would prove to be the most painful inning for the Pelicans. The AirHogs scored six runs in the frame including a 2-run RBI double from Greg Porter and RBI singles from Aaron Garza, Robert Perry, and Flint Wipke. The Hogs also got a sac fly from Joe Spiers as the score at the end of the inning was 12-4 in favor of the AirHogs.
The Pelicans showed no quit in this contest as they battled for 4 runs in the bottom half of the 4th as Lou Palmisano hit a 2-run homerun to left to make it 12-6. Marcos Rodriguez added a 2-run single in the same inning to make it 12-8.
It was 12-9 entering the sixth inning when the AirHogs put up 5 more runs capped off by a 3-run homerun from Greg Porter which made it 17-9.
In the bottom half of the sixth, the Pelicans once again battled back to get close to the Hogs once again. The Pels got RBI’s from Adolfo Gonzalez, Adam Darby, Lou Palmisano, and Dallas Christison to make it 17-13.
In the top half of the 7th, Aaron Garza lined a ball down the left field and over the fence for his 1st homerun of the season to make it 18-13. The Hogs added a run in the 8th on an RBi single from Espinosa to make it 19-13.
The Pelicans for a third time battled back in the game as Darby had a RBI triple and Palmisano added a sac fly to make it 19-15. Antoin Gray had a good battle with Geivy Garcia to work out a walk resulting in a run and Brito had an RBI fielder’s choice to make it 19-17. Later in the inning, the bases were loaded with two outs and John Alonso lined a ball sharply to left, but right at Porter who made the catch to end the threat. The Pelicans ended the night with 17 hits.
Edgar Estranga (2-0) gets the win as he pitched two innings and gave up 4 earned runs off 4 hits. Geivy Garcia got the last five outs of the game for his 2nd save of the season.
The loss goes to Pels starter Aaron Jackson (0-1) who was tagged for 9 runs off 10 hits through just 3 plus innings pitched.
Northview, West Florida Meet In Spring Game
May 22, 2010
The Northview Chiefs and the West Florida Jaguars walked away from their Friday night spring football game tied at 14-14.
The Chiefs took an early first quarter lead and expanded it to a 14-0 advantage in the first half. The Jaguars made it 14-7 late in half, and tied it up in the second half.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, click here.
Northview is coming off a 7-3 season last year, a vast improvement from 2-8 the year before. But much of their experience is gone, with 20 seniors from the 2009 team graduating. That inexperience, according to second-year Head Coach Sid Wheatley, was costly Friday night in Bratt.
Wheatley said he was pleased with the first half when the two teams matched starters against starters.
“We are not real deep right now, but we got after it and produced two early scores,” he said. “And our defense played hard, and we won that half.”
The Jaguars dressed out about 85 players, compared to about 40 for the Chiefs. That, Wheatley said, did give the the Jags the advantage.
“In the second half, we had some younger kids step in, and they just need some more experience, more plays,” he said. “I thought they did a decent job, our backups and even our third group, our younger kids. I thought they played hard; we didn’t just give ourselves much of a chance offensively.”
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the game, the cheerleaders and the band, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pelicans Win Home Opener Over AirHogs
May 22, 2010
The Pensacola Pelicans bear the AirHogs 2-1 in the Pels’ home opener Friday night.
Jared Gothreaux (1-1) was the player of the game as he dodged in and out of trouble on numerous occasions to get his first win of the season. Gothreaux only gave up one run off 12 hits against the AirHogs.
The AirHogs scored the game’s first run though in the 5th inning of the game. Jaun Camacho hit a blooping RBI single over Adolfo Gonzalez’s head into shallow left field to bring home David Espinosa to give the AirHogs a 1-0 lead.
The Pelicans had their chances to score early, but had trouble finding that RBI hit through the first 5 innings.
However in the 6th inning, Javier Brito popped a ball up in the air to shallow right and Jose Duran dropped it putting Brito at second base. One out later, John Alonso hit a liner to left which sailed over the head of Chad Gabriel who mis-managed the ball which brought home Brito to tie the game up at 1-1. Alonso raced into third on the play just being the cut off throw from shortstop David Espinosa. Joey Side followed Alonso by getting hit in the stomach by a fastball thrown from AirHogs reliever Jeff Williams. The Pelicans had baserunners at first and third with one out and Lou Palmisano hit a very week grounder in the hole at short which Espinosa threw to second to get the force on Side, but that was it. The grounder was hit too softly to double up Palmisano allowing Alonso to score to give Pelicans a 2-1 lead.
In the 7th inning, Gothreaux flirted out of his last stressful inning of the game as Flint Wipke was at second with two outs and Greg Porter was at the plate. Gothreaux struck out Porter for his 8th and biggest strikeout of the game.
Tyler Wilson replaced Gothreaux in the 8th inning and struck out 3 batters in a scoreless inning. Tommy Baumgardner pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save in as many chances this season.
Jarod Plummer (1-1) took the loss in a tough luck game for him as he gave up 2 runs-1 earned through 5 1/3 innings pitched.
The Pelicans and AirHogs will continue their 4 game series tomorrow night at 6:45pm. Aaron Jackson will take the mound against Matt Green with the pregame show at 6:30pm. Chetan Chaudhari will be on the call on pensacolapelicans.com.
Jay Tee Ball Angels Named Champs With Perfect Record
May 19, 2010
The Angels are Jay Recreation Tee Ball champions with a perfect 14-0 record. Pictured are: (front, L-R) Allie Odom, Makenleigh Bledsoe, Trent Roberson, Carson Walters, Kaden Roberson, (second row) Leslie McCall, Bryson McCullough, Devin Sauls, Grant Barrow, Tylen Sorrells, Payton Jackson, Bailey Odom, (third row) coaches Reggie Odom, Phillipp Sorrells, Stephen Jackson and Jason Roberson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Have photos from your team? Email them to news@northescambia.com
NWE Football Meets Sunday
May 19, 2010
There will be a Northwest Escambia Football meeting this Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Ernest Ward Middle School gym.
The public is welcome to attend and learn how the football league works. NWE is also looking for a coach for their Midget team.
Several Area Baseball, Softball Players In High School All-Star Games
May 18, 2010
Several North Escambia area seniors were scheduled to hit the field Tuesday night in the Fourth Annual High School All-Star Baseball and Softball Game at the University of West Florida.
The first pitch for baseball was thrown out by former Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers player and MLB scout Kevin Saucier. For softball, the first pitch was thrown out by Charity Bulter.
North Escambia area players invited to participate included:
BASEBALL
- Rush Hendricks C/1B Jay
- Brandon Blackwelder C/3B Tate
- Heath Burkett P Northview
- Lee Hunter DH/1B Tate
- Brad Lowery P/SS/CF Northview
- Zach McCulley LHP Tate
- Tyler Moore P Tate
- Tevin Padgett OF Tate
- Austen Reid P/SS/CF Northview
- Cole Vickery P Tate
SOFTBALL
- Amber Steadham CF/Utility Jay
- Aimee Clark 1B Northview
- Avery Cobb LF Tate
- Kolbi Cobb OF Northview
- Candice Greenwell 3B Northview
- Amber McMillan 2B Northview
- Crysta Paulson RF Tate
- Amy Siefert 2B Tate
Pictured: Northview’s Aimee Clark is one of the many North Escambia are players taking part in tonight’s Fourth Annual High School All-Star Baseball and Softball Game at the University of West Florida. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Playoff Schedule, Map, Driving Directions
May 17, 2010
The Jay Royals will face Shorecrest of St. Petersberg next Monday morning in the the Class 2a baseball semifinals.
The game will be played at 9 a.m. local time (10 a.m. EDT) Monday, May 24 at Digital Domain Park (pictured above, click to enlarge) in St. Lucie, Fla. Admission will be $8. The winner of the Jay versus Shorecrest game will play the winner of the 4 p.m. Westminster Christian of Miami versus Orlando Christian game for the state championship. The state championship game will be played at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. EDT) on Tuesday, May 25.
Digital Domain park is the spring training home of the New York Mets. The facility seats 7,347 people.
For recommended hotel accommodations from the Florida High School Athletic Association web site, click here. The Hilton Garden Inn at PGA Village/Port St. Lucie offers a special rate of $79 per night through the link.
The park is 555 miles from Jay, an estimated nine hour road trip. Driving directions, according to Google Maps, are below. Click here to see a map with these directions.
- Head east on 1st Ave W/FL-4 E toward S Alabama St Continue to follow FL-4 E 31.8 mi
- Turn right to stay on FL-4 E 4.6 mi
- Turn left at FL-10 E/US-90 E 17.8 mi
- Turn right at FL-285 S 0.4 mi
- Turn left to merge onto I-10 E 226 mi
- Take exit 296A to merge onto I-75 S toward Tampa 108 mi
- Slight left at Florida’s Turnpike/Ronald Reagan Turnpike (signs for Orlando/Florida Turnpike S) Partial toll road 156 mi
- Take exit 152 to merge onto FL-70 E/Okeechobee Rd Partial toll road 1.2 mi
- Merge onto I-95 S via the ramp to W Palm Beach 7.4 mi
- Take exit 121 for St Lucie W Blvd 0.4 mi
- Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Port St Lucie 269 ft
- Turn left at St Lucie W Blvd 0.7 mi
- Turn left at NW Peacock Blvd Destination will be on the right
Sports Association Awards Scholarships To Area Seniors
May 17, 2010
Several North Escambia area seniors were honored at the recent 2010 PSA Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet.
Rush Hendricks of Jay (pictured) was named an overall winner and will receive a cash scholarship to the school of his choice from the Pensacola Sports Association Foundation. Drew Kennedy from Jay was awarded a scholarship from the University of West Florida.
A total of 26 students from were offered scholarships totaling $110,000 by PSA and Pensacola Junior College.
PSA Scholar Athlete winners from the North Escambia area awarded PJC scholarships included:
- Jordan Bray, Jay, cheerleading
- Zach McMulley,, Tate, baseball
- Justin Galagher, Tate, tennis
- Travis Thrash, Tate, weightlifting
- Chelsea Hall, Tate, basketball