Pelicans Beat Captains In Record Time
August 31, 2009
The Pelicans blanked the Captains 4-0 in the final regular season game Sunday night in a timely manner: an American Association record hour and thirty-one minutes. Kieran Mattison picked up his second win as a Pelican in as many starts, cruising for five innings. The Pelicans supported their starter with two runs in the first inning, and squeezed out two more over the course of the contest.
Chase Burch hit his first home run in the second half of the season in the bottom of the second inning. His ninth long ball of the year followed a Marshall McDougall single and put the Pelicans on top 2-0.
The Pels would add another run in the sixth inning when Adam Deleo led off with a double. On a Marcos Rodriguez single, Deleo advanced to third, scoring when Jason Diaz grounded out to the first baseman.
Pensacola tacked on their last run of the regular season in the bottom of the seventh, when Chase Burch recorded his second hit of the night, a single. Lou Palmisano hit safely as well, and Adam Darby drove Burch in with a base knock. The 4-0 Pelicans’ lead would last until the end of the game.
The game was the shortest nine-inning contest in the four-year old American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. After Kieran Mattison pitched five scoreless innings while scattering four hits and striking out two, Kevin Cooper tossed three more of his own, yielding three hits and picking up a strikeout. Ulysses Roque allowed a lead off single in the ninth, then induced a 6-4-3 double play and another groundout to seal the game.
The Pelicans close the regular season ten games over .500 at 53-43. Pensacola will continue their 2009 campaign on Tuesday when they face the Fort Worth Cats in Texas for the first of a best-of-five series to determine the South Division winner. Aaron Jackson is projected to start the 7:05 ballgame for the Pelicans. Fans can hear all the action via NewsRadio 1620, or online with SportsJuice.com.
NWE Football Takes On Pace (With Photo Galleries)
August 30, 2009
The 2009 regular season for Northwest Escambia Football got underway Saturday with two wins and a loss for NWE against the Pace Patriots.
The NWE Mites shutout Pace Blue. Luke Ward rushed for a touchdown, and Jarrod Aliff hit the end zone for the point after for the NWE Eagles.
The Northwest Escambia Midgets beat Pace Blue 18-12, and the NWE Mini-mites fell to pace 26-18.
Northwest Escambia will be off on Saturday, September 5 and back in action on September 12 at Myrtle Grove.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from NWE Mites game, click here.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the NWE Midgets game, click here.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery of the NWE cheerleaders, click here.
Pictured above and below: Action from the NWE Mites game against Pace Saturday at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Flomaton Beats Calhoun
August 30, 2009
Calhoun was no match at all for the Flomaton Hurricane in their season opener Friday night. The Canes blew past Calhoun 48-0 in Flomaton. Flomaton kept the scorekeeper busy in the first, taking an 27-0 lead heading into the second.
Click here for more photos submitted by Mike Newton Photography.
The Canes were led by Niko Robinson with two TD’s, including a 17-yarder on the game’s second play. Robinson had 94 yards on only five carries. He also had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Ryheem Bixon had 83 yards on the night on a half dozen carries — including a five-yard touchdown run.
The Hurricanes will be under the lights at Hurricane Field next Friday night against Red Level.
Click here for more photos from Mike Newton Photography.
Pictured above: Action as Flomaton beat Calhoun Friday night. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Wins 48-0 Over Calhoun; Atmore Loses To T.R. Miller 27-12
August 29, 2009
The 2009 football season kicked into full gear Friday night in Alabama, with the Flomaton Canes claiming a huge victory and Escambia County falling to a cross-county powerhouse.
Flomaton 48 Calhoun 0
Calhoun was no match at all for the Flomaton Hurricane in their season opener Friday night. The Canes blew past Calhoun 48-0 in Flomaton. Flomaton kept the scorekeeper busy in the first, taking an 27-0 lead heading into the second.
The Canes were led by Niko Robinson with two TD’s, including a 17-yarder on the game’s second play. Robinson had 94 yards on only five carries. He also had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Ryheem Bixon had 83 yards on the night on a half dozen carries — including a five-yard touchdown run.
The Hurricanes will be under the lights at Hurricane Field next Friday night against Red Level.
T.R. Miller 27 Escambia County (Atmore) 12
Alabama football powerhouse T.R. Miller took an early lead Friday night in Brewton, with a 7-0 first quarter lead. Miller expanded their lead to 13-0 in the second. That’s when the Escambia County Blue Devils answered with six and a missed extra point. The Blue Devils managed half a dozen more during the night, but it was no match for Miller. T.R. Miller beat Escambia County 27-12.
Ricky Hartley had a couple of TD’s for the Blue Devils. One was a one-yard pass from Rico Stallworth and the other was a one-yard run. Stallworth had 78 passing yards and 72 rushing Friday night against the T.R. Miller Tigers.
Escambia County will travel to Vigor next Friday night.
Go Chiefs: Girls Of All Ages Learn At NHS Mini-Cheerleading Clinic
August 29, 2009
The annual Northview Mini-Cheerleading Clinic was held Friday evening, giving girls three-years old through the eighth grade the chance to learn cheers from the NHS varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders.
The girls will have the opportunity to cheer at halftime of next Friday night’s Northview Chiefs football game.
Click here for a photo gallery.
Pictured above and below: The Northview Mini-Cheerleading Clinic Friday night at Northview High School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pelicans Clinch Playoff Spot With 8-3 Win Over the Captains
August 29, 2009
The Pensacola Pelicans are the 2009 Second Half South Division Champions. With an 8-3 victory in front of 2,292 fans in Pensacola, the Pelicans return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Pelicans will make their first entry into the American Association playoffs with Randy Beam’s tenth victory of the year.
The Captains entered the ballgame with a record of 26-14 when scoring first, and pushed a run across in the first inning. With two outs, Chris Garcia hit a line drive over the left field fence for his fifth home run of the year.
The Pelicans retaliated in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs of their own. Kevin Reynolds reached first on a fielder’s choice. After Antoin Gray walked and Chase Burch drew a base on balls as well, Marcos Rodriguez stepped to the plate with the bases loaded. Rodriguez delivered with a single that scored Reynolds and Gray, and the Pelicans took a 2-1 lead.
With a run in the top of the second inning, the Captains pulled even. Jose Torres walked with one out, and scored when Luis Guance followed with a double.
The Pelicans would take the lead again in the bottom of the second and never let it go. Adam Darby was hit by a pitch, Leandro was too, and Kevin Reynolds walked. That was the end for Captains’ starter Ronald Lowe, as Derek Miramontes took over. After a strikeout, Antoin Gray walked to push Darby home, and the Pelicans led 3-2.
Pensacola added three runs of insurance in the fifth inning, as Burch and Rodriguez each singled, and Dallas Christison walked. With the bases loaded Lou Palmisano hit a rocket groundball that ate up the Captains’ second baseman. Burch would score the Pelicans’ winning run on the play, but Adam Darby would follow with a single that plated Rodriguez and Christison. After five innings, the Pelicans were ahead by four.
The Captains scored their final run of the game in the top of the sixth after Ron Hill relieved Randy Beam. With two outs, Jorge Alavarez reached first base on an error by the third baseman. Jose Torres walked, and Luis Guance hit a single to drive in Alvarez. The run was unearned, as Hill would go on to pitch the sixth and seventh innings, allowing just two hits, a walk, and striking out two.
Starter Randy Beam yielded just three hits, walking two and striking out four in his five innings of work. After Hill, Francisco Butto closed out the Captains in the eighth and ninth. He didn’t allow a base runner, striking out two.
The Pelicans put a stamp on the game in their final two innings at the plate. Leandro led off the seventh with a single, and moved to second base on a pitch that escaped the catcher. After Kevin Reynolds singled, Leandro moved to third, and both men moved up a base when a pitch hit the backstop again, scoring Leandro.
The Pelicans iced the cake in the bottom of the eighth. Chase Burch started the frame with a walk, and Marcos Rodriguez doubled to push Burch to third. Dallas Christison hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that brought Burch home, and the 8-3 Pelicans’ lead would stand.
The Pelicans return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005, and will make their first appearance as part of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. First-year manager Talmadge Nunnari will put his Pelicans on a bus to Fort Worth following this weekends’ games in order to face the Cats on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. In the meantime, the Pelicans will close out the regular season with a game on both Saturday and Sunday. Both contests are slated for 6:05 p.m.
Northview Splits Preseason Volleyball Classic With Escambia, Walton
August 28, 2009
The Northview Lady Chiefs took to the volleyball court Thursday afternoon in Bratt, beating Escambia of Pensacola and falling to Walton, in a couple of preseason classic games.
Northview vs Walton
Northview beat Walton 25-17, 24-26, 15-11.
- Shawn Montgomery (junior) M Kills-6, Assists-2, Aces-3, Digs-18,Blocks-7
- Ashley Digmon (junior) Setter/DS Kills-1, Aces-4, Assists-5
- Caitlin Hall (senior) Setter Assists-15, Digs-1, Aces-4
- Angela Rodriguez (senior) Left/Middle Kills-3, Aces-2, Digs-2, Blocks-1
Northview vs Escambia
Northview fell to Escambia 25-23, 19-25, 15-17
Shawn Montgomery (junior) M Kills-4, Assists-1, Aces-1, Digs-5,Blocks-4
Raylin Spence (sophomore) Left Side Kills-2, Digs -6, Assists-2
Caitlin Hall (senior) Setter Assists-17, Blocks-2, Aces-4, Kills-1
Angela Rodriguez (senior) Left/Middle Kills-1, Aces-4, Digs-8
The Northview Lady Chiefs kick off their regular volleyball season on the road in Freeport on September 1. The junior varsity will play at 5:00, the varsity hits the court at 6:00.
For a Northview Volleyball schedule, click here (pdf).
Pelicans Lose, Captains Lose Too; Pels Need One Win to Clinch
August 27, 2009
The Pelicans lost to the Cats 1-0 Wednesday night, but will not lose any ground to the Captains. Though the first place Pelicans dropped the game, the Captains (three games back in second place) lost as well. The Pelicans maintain their three game lead entering the final four games of the regular season: at home against the Captains. Therefore, the Pelicans need to win just one game to clinch the division and consequently, a spot in the playoffs. Despite the loss Wednesday night, the Pelicans had a strong performance in the pitchers’ duel.
Pelicans’ starter Kevin Cooper pitched six scoreless innings, yielding just four hits and striking out two batters. Six total batters reached, as Cooper hit two batters with pitches. Bubba Nelson started relieving Cooper in the bottom of the sixth. Bubba would allow just one hit, but it was costly. After John Allen struck out (Nelson’s third K) as the first out of the bottom of the ninth, Nelson walked Michael Bell. After a wild pitch moved Bell to second base, he scored when Patterson singled to give the Cats the victory.
Pensacola threatened multiple times, but could never squeeze a run across. Antoin Gray led off the second inning with a single and ultimately advanced to third, but never came home. Marcos Rodriguez reached on an error by the third baseman in the fourth inning with two outs. He advanced to third base on a Dallas Christison single, but a fly out would end the inning scoreless. Marshall McDougall led off the top of the sixth with a single, but after two out, was stuck there. Rodriguez reached on an error by the pitcher, and McDougall advanced to third, but both runners would be stranded when the third out was recorded.
Probably the closest the Pelicans came to scoring was the third inning. Jason Diaz singled to start, and Francisco Leandro dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move him to second. When Kevin Reynolds walked, the Pelicans had runners at the corners and one out. On a pickoff attempt at first base, Diaz broke for home. John Allen caught the throw at first and tossed it to the plate. Kelley Gulledge tagged out Diaz, and the Pelicans wouldn’t advance Reynolds past first.
Marshall McDougall ended the night 2-4, as the Pelicans recorded six hits compared to the Cats’ five. The Pelicans hope to perform better Thursday, when they host the Captains for the first of the last four games of the regular season.
The Pelicans will start Dane DeValk against the Captains’ Richard Salazar on Thursday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The Pelicans need win only one game to clinch the division and a playoff spot. Whoever does win the second half of the season will play the first half winner, Fort Worth, in Texas starting Tuesday. The best-of-five series will determine who plays the North Division Champion starting September 8.
Pensacola Pelicans Need Two Wins To Clinch Playoff Spot; Magnificent Mattison
August 26, 2009
Kieran Mattison was magnificent in his Pelicans debut on Tuesday night, helping the Pelicans to a 3-1 win over the Fort Worth Cats. Mattison allowed just one run on three hits over his six innings of work, yielding but one walk, and striking out three. With the win, the Pelicans need to capture just two more games to clinch a playoff spot.
The Pelicans scratched the board first in the incipient inning. Kevin Reynolds singled with one out, and proceeded to steal second and third. Antoin Gray grounded out to third base, but Reynolds scored on the play to give the Pelicans an early lead.
The Cats would come back to tie the game in the second inning on the first of their three hits of the night. With two out, Ryan Patterson went deep over the left field fence to drive himself in and tie the game at one apiece.
The run would be the Cats’ first and only. Pensacola took the lead in the top of the sixth when Dallas Christison reached on an error by the shortstop, and scored when the next batter, Lou Palmisano, reached on an error by the third baseman. The fielder tossed the ball over the first baseman’s head, allowing Christison to score from first.
The Pelicans would add another run in the top of the eighth inning. With two out Jason Diaz hit a double, and Francisco Leandro drove him in with a base hit. In the meantime, the Pelicans’ pitching staff was outstanding.
Kieran Mattison earned the win in his first appearance for the Pelicans. After Ron Hill retired all six batters in innings seven and eight (while striking out half of them), Hunter Davis knocked down the Cats one-two-three in the ninth to pick up save 22 on the year.
With the Pelicans’ 3-1 victory, Pensacola needs to win two more games to clinch a playoff spot. If the Pelicans were to clinch, they would do so at home in Pensacola. Tickets for the Thursday through Sunday games are available now at Pensacola-area Circle K locations, or online at www.pensacolapelicans.com.
The Pelicans look for one of the necessary wins on Wednesday, as they close a three-game series in Fort Worth. The Pelicans are scheduled to throw Kevin Cooper against the Cats’ Joel Kirsten. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with all the action available on NewsRadio 1620 or online via SportsJuice.com.
Pels Win 13-0 Over Cats
August 25, 2009
Francisco Leandro started the game off with a single and Kevin Reynolds tried to sacrifice him to second, but ended up with a bunt single. Marshall McDougall singled to score Leandro, and Antoin Gray hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Reynolds. Chase Burch walked, and Dallas Christison scored both McDougall and Burch with a two-out double to give the Pelicans a 4-0 lead.
The Pelicans added five more runs in the second when Jason Diaz started it off with a single. Leandro followed with a walk, and Kevin Reynolds had another bunt single: a beauty that hugged the third base line until it hit the base at the end of the stripe. With the bases loaded Antoin Gray hit a double and all three men scored. Rodriguez singled to bring Gray in, and then moved to second when Christison reached on an error by the shortstop. Lou Palmisano singled and Rodriguez scored to extend the Pelicans’ lead to nine.
Leandro led off the top of the third inning with his second single of the night, moving to third when Reynolds followed with a double. After McDougall walked to load the bases, Chase Burch hit a double, scoring Leandro and Reynolds, and pushing McDougall to third. McDougall came home when Rodriguez grounded out to second base, and Dallas Christison drove in Burch to score the Pelicans’ thirteenth and final run of the ballgame.
Aaron Jackson held the Cats scoreless in the interim, topping his eight inning performance on his last start with a complete game. Jackson struck out a season-high five batters and had his best outing since a complete game two-hit shutout last year with Winnipeg. Only five Cats would reach base during the game, as the Pelicans defense was perfect, and Jackson walked only one batter.
The Pelicans’ lead atop the South Division of the American Association remains at three games as the Captains won their game Monday night as well. The Pelicans will play the second game in this three-game series Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. The Pelicans will throw RHP Kieran Mattison against Fort Worth’s LHP Nat Harris. Fans can catch all the action on NewsRadio 1620 and online via SportsJuice.com.