Pelicans Winning Streak Ends At 15
July 20, 2010
A 15-game winning streak came to an end Monday for the Pensacola Pelicans.
The Pelicans made history in the American Association as they won their past 15 straight contests. However, Captains pitcher Ryan DiPietro tossed a complete game and had just enough offense to top the Pelicans 6-1 and end their record-setting win streak.
With the score tied 1-1 in the top of the third inning, the Captains put runners on first and third with one out. Jorge Alvarez followed with a sacrifice fly to center to score Jovanny Rosario giving Shreveport-Bossier a 2-1 lead.
Shreveport-Bossier opened up the lead in the top of the fifth inning. The Captains put runners on first and third with one out when Andres Rodriguez hit a towering double off the left field wall scoring Brian Peterson extending the lead to 3-1. Uriak Marquez followed with a well hit ball over the right field fence for his third homerun of the year giving the Captains a 5-1 lead.
Ryan DiPietro (6-1) goes all nine innings for the Captains and gives up only one run off five hits while striking out four on the night. It was DiPietro’s first complete game of the season.
Showalter Not Named Orioles’ Manager – Yet
July 19, 2010
The weekend after mid-season mark in baseball has come and gone, and former Century resident Buck Showalter is not yet the new manager of the Baltimore Orioles.
Several national media outlets reported last week that Showalter would be named the new head Oriole over the weekend, but a replacement for fired manager Dave Tembley has not been named. Showalter has met with Orioles several times.
With experience in the manager’s job for the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers, Showalter was named a “heavy favorite” for the Baltimore job by ESPN.
Showalter’s father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. Showalter played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after him.
Photo courtesy ESPN.
Pels Knock Off AirHogs for Record-Setting 15th Straight Win
July 19, 2010
John Alonso hit three legs of the cycle and David Nathanson tossed seven solid innings to help the Pensacola Pelicans (13-0) knock off the Grand Prairie AirHogs (0-13) 7-3. Pensacola gets the sweep and now has won 15 straight contests, which is a new American Association record for most consecutive wins.
John Alonso hit a towering lead off triple off the right field fence to start things off in the top of the fourth inning. Adolfo Gonzalez followed with a single to left to score Alonso and give the Pels a 1-0 lead.
Grand Prairie answered back in the bottom of the fourth inning when former Pelican Antoin Gray hit a bomb to left field for his second homer of the season giving the AirHogs a 2-1 lead.
John Alonso led off the top of the sixth inning with a majestic shot to left center that left the ballpark tying this game up at 2. It was Alonso’s eighth homerun of the year. The Pelicans then had back to back singles from Adolfo Gonzalez and Marcos Rodriguez. With runners on first and third with nobody out, Dallas Christison hit into double play scoring Gonzalez and giving the Pelicans a 3-2 lead.
With the game tied 3-3 in the top of the seventh inning, Javier Brito lined a single into center scoring Chase Porch from second base give Pensacola the lead back at 4-3.
The Pelicans added two insurance runs in the top of the eighth inning, when Francisco Leandro hit a huge two run double to deep left center scoring Dallas Christison and Chris Chiarappa all the way from first base giving the Pelicans a 6-3 advantage.
David Nathanson (4-4) gets the win as he goes seven innings and only gives up three runs-two earned off four hits on the night. Pelican reliever Lee Henry tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth inning for this third save in as many chances this season.
NWE All-Stars Win Sectionals, Headed To State
July 18, 2010
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars are now sectional champions and headed to state after sweeping both of their 11-12 year old Little League softball games Saturday in Tallahassee.
NWE beat Tallahassee Chaires Little League 16-1 and 8-2 in the double elimination tournament for the Florida Section 1 Championship. The Northwest Escambia girls will travel to the state tournament in Fort Myers next week.
In the first game, Mallory Ryan pitched all four innings with seven strike outs and no walks.
Scoring for NWE: Mallory Ryan: 2; Kyndall Hall: 2; Penny Banda: 1; Courtney Peebles: 2; Kendal Cobb: 2; Addy Lee: 3; Kristen Byrd: 2; Natalie Goetter: 1; Peighton Dortch: 1. RBIs for NWE: Mallory Ryan: 4; Kyndall Hall: 1; Courtney Peebles: 3; Kendal Cobb: 1; Addy Lee: 1.
In the second game, NWE and Chaires were tied 2-2 at the end of the sixth, and continued tied 2-2 at the end of the seventh. But NWE was able to score six runs in the top of the eighth for the 8-2 win.
Ryan pitched five innings with four strike outs and a walk. Courtney Peebles pitched three innings with one strike out and no walks.
Scoring for NWE: Kyndall Hall: 1; Courtney Peebles: 1; Kendal Cobb: 2; Addy Lee: 1; Kristen Byrd: 1; Natalie Goetter: 1; Savanna Roux: 1. RBIs for NWE: Kyndall Hall: 1;
Penny Banda: 1; Natalie Goetter: 1.
In the state championship series next week, NWE will play Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 1:30 p.m. and Friday at 6:30 p.m. All times listed are Eastern.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured top and bottom:The Northwest Escambia All-Starts 11-12 softball team after Saturday’s sectional win in Tallahassee. Pictured inset: Kendal Cobb plays for NWE. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kim Ryan, click to enlarge.
Pelicans: Win Number 14
July 18, 2010
The Pelicans winning steak continued Saturday with a win over the AirHogs.
The Pensacola Pelicans (12-0) receive strong pitching performances from Jared Gothreaux and Seth Overbey coupled with just enough offense to top the AirHogs (0-12) 6-2. The Pelicans have now won their 14th straight contest tying them with the Lincoln Saltdogs for the all-time American Association record of consecutive wins.
The AirHogs jumped out in front in the last of the third inning with two outs and nobody on base. Greg Porter launched a homerun into to deep right center giving Grand Prairie an early 1-0 lead.
The Pelicans who were held without a hit through the first four innings broke through in the fifth inning. Pensacola put runners on second and third with one out when Francisco Leandro lifted a high fly ball to deep left field which went off the wall scoring Adolfo Gonzalez and Dallas Christison giving the Pels a 2-1 lead. A fielding error from Todd Sandell allowed Leandro from third base to score and extend the lead to 3-1.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Pelicans put runners on first and third with one out. John Alonso lined a single to left scoring Francisco Leandro extending the lead for Pensacola to 4-1. The bases then were loaded when AirHogs reliever Austin Coan threw a wild pitch scoring Javier Brito from third base making it a 5-1 lead. Chase Porch then followed with a sharp single into center scoring John Alonso make it a 6-1 contest.
Jared Gothreaux (6-5) gets the win as he goes 6 1/3 innings and gives up two runs off seven hit while striking out a season-high 12 batters on the night. Seth Overbey finished off the seventh inning while also tossing a perfect eighth and ninth for his second save of the year.
Pelicans Get Lucky Win Number 13 In A Row
July 17, 2010
The Pensacola Pelicans (11-0) were in the middle of a see-saw battle with the Grand Prairie AirHogs (0-11) who were both fighting badly to get the win. In the end, Lou Palmisano’s RBI sac fly to score Javier Brito in the 11th Inning pushed the Pels past the AirHogs 11-10. Pensacola has now won their 13th straight contest, tying their franchise record of consecutive wins set back in 2004.
Grand Prairie grabbed the game’s first run in the bottom of the third inning when Greg Porter lined a two out single to center to score David Espinosa from second base to give the AirHogs an early 1-0 lead. Jason Stokes followed with a walk then Michael Holliman hit a towering triple to deep right center to score Porter and Stokes extending the Grand Prairie lead to 3-0.
Pensacola battled back in the top of the fourth inning. WIth one out, John Alonso hit a solo homerun deep to left center and over the wall to get the Pels on the board at 3-1. It was Alonso’s seventh homer of the year. They later loaded the bases in the same inning when Adolfo Gonzalez lined a single to right to score Lou Palmisano and Chase Porch to tie the game up at 3. Pensacola loaded the bases again and Carlos Leon hit a sacrifice fly to right center to score Marcos Rodriguez from third base giving the Pels the lead at 4-3. Francisco Leandro followed with a two run single to right center to score Adolfo Gonzalez and Kyle Brown extending the lead to 6-3.
With the score 6-5 in the top of sixth inning, Adolfo rifled a double just fair down the left field line scoring Marcos Rodriguez from first base to make it a 7-5 Pelicans advantage. Then Kyle Brown bunted a ball down the third base line and a throwing error to first base from David Espinosa allowed Gonzalez to score and give the Pels an 8-5 lead.
Grand Prairie answered back in the last of sixth inning when Daniel Berg launched a 3-2 fastball into the left field seats for his first homerun of the season pulling the AirHogs within a run at 8-7.
The AirHogs opened up the last of the seventh inning with a triple hit from Jason Stokes. Michael Holliman followed with a sacrifice fly to right center to tie the game up at 8. Robert Perry then followed with a rocket to right that went over the fence in a hurry to give the AirHogs the lead back at 9-8.
In the top of the ninth inning, Francisco Leandro led it off with a single to right. He then stoled second successfully. AirHogs closer Geivy Garcia then threw two straight wild pitches allowing Leandro to score and tie the game up at 9. Later in the inning with runners on first and second with one out, Chase Porch blooped a single to left to score Dallas Christison who was pinch running for Alonso to give Pensacola a 10-9 lead.
The AirHogs rallied back in the bottom of the ninth inning when Michael Holliman doubled to deep center to score Greg Porter and tie the game up once again at 10.
In the top of the eleventh inning, Javier Brito led it off with a lead off single to center. He advanced to second on a wild pitch thrown from Ben Paxton. He moved to third on a bunt from Dallas Christison. Lou Palmisano followed with a sacrifice fly to right field to score Brito from third base giving Pensacola an 11-10 lead.
Austin Chambliss (3-0) pitches the ninth and tenth inning to get the win. Jason Franzblau tossed a perfect eleventh inning for his first save of the year.
Atmore All-Stars In State Babe Ruth Tourney
July 17, 2010
The Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars will take part in the 2010 Alabama State 13-year old Babe Ruth Tournament beginning today in Demopolis.
The team is comprised of players from both Atmore and the North Escambia areas. The first game will have Atmore’s All-Stars facing Huntsville at the Demopolis Sportplex. The tournament continues through Tuesday.
Pictured: Members of the 13-year old Atmore Babe Ruth All-Stars are: (front L-R) Tanner Smith, Coby Smith, Gage White, Brodie Amos, Billy Powell, Devontae Stephens, (middle) Trey Weeks, Tristan McAnally, Aaron McDonald, Dalton Daniel, Nate Smith, Trey McGhee (back) Coach Jody Dortch, Coach Tommy Smith and Manager Tim McAnally. Submitted photo for NorthEcambia.com, click to enlarge.
One School To Win $10,000 From Pensacola Pelicans
July 16, 2010
At the end of the Pelicans season, one local school will win $10,000 from the Pensacola Pelicans. As part of the Pelicans reading program “Scoop’s Reading Challenge”, the school with the most reading challenge ticket voucher redemptions will win the grand prize.
Students participating in the “Scoop’s Reading Challenge” earned up to two Pelicans tickets for reaching “home” by achieving their assigned reading goals. In total, more than 15,000 tickets were awarded to the students in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties.
Currently, Pea Ridge Elementary is leading the race to win the $10,000.
Reading Challenge participants are encouraged to attend the Pelicans game and use their vouchers to further their school’s chances of winning the $10,000 prize.
The Pelicans have 19 regular season home games remaining. Ticket vouchers are youth vouchers only and are not valid for play-off games. Monday through Saturday games begin at 6:45 p.m. while Sunday games begin at 6:05 p.m. Gates open an hour before game time.
NWE All-Stars On The Road In Sectional Tourney
July 16, 2010
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars will be in action Saturday in the 11-12 year old Little League softball sectionals in Tallahassee.
NWE, the District 1 champions, will take on the District 20 champions, Chaires Little League, at Chaires-Capitola Park. Games in the double elimination tournament will be at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (EDT) on Saturday. If a Sunday game is needed, the time will be determined following the final Saturday game.
Members of the NWE 11-12 year old All-Stars are: Savanna Roux, Peighton Dortch, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall, Penny Banda, Addy Lee, Kendal Cobb, Mallory Ryan, Kristin Byrd and Natalie Goetter. The team is managed by Jerry Mason, and coached by Ronald Peebles and Eddie Ryan.
Pictured top: The Northwest Escambia All-Starts 11-12 softball team after their July 2 district championship win. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Pelicans Get 11th Straight Victory
July 15, 2010
The Pelicans (9-0) offense remains on fire and John Alonso and Dane Devalk lead Pensacola to a win over the Fort Worth Cats (4-5) by a final score of 9-5. Pensacola has now won 11 straight games.
Pensacola jumped out in front early in the top of the first inning. John Alonso lined a sharp single to right center to score Carlos Leon from third base to give the Pels an early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Jeremy Sauceda launched a hanging curveball from Dane Devalk well over the left field wall to give the Cats a 2-1 lead. The homerun was Sauceda’s first of the season.
The Pelicans battled back in the top of the third inning when they loaded the bases with one out. Adolfo Gonzalez drew a bases loaded walk to score John Alonso and tie the game up at 2. Marcos Rodriguez followed with an RBI groundout to second scoring Lou Palmisano and giving Pensacola the lead back at 3-2.
In the top of the fourth inning with Javier Brito on base, John Alonso continued his hot ways with his bat. Alonso belted a hanging slider deep into left center which hit high up on the scoreboard for a two run homerun giving the Pels a 5-2 advantage. The majestic homer was Alono’s sixth of the season.
With score 6-2 in the top of the seventh inning, Lou Palmisano lined a two out double just fair down the third base line scoring Francisco Leandro and John Alonso all the way from first base to extend the lead for the Pels to 8-2.
John Alonso led the Pelicans offense tonight going for 4 for 6 with 3 runs batted in.
Dane Devalk (5-4) gets the win as he goes 6 1/3 innings and gives up five runs-four earned off ten hits on the night.
Please join us for the final game of this three game series with the Fort Worth Cats tomorrow night. First pitch is at 7:05pm with the pregame show at 6:55pm live via sportsjuice on pensacolapelicans.com. You can also watch the game as well on our watch live link via ustream.tv.