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.
Sports For Squirts
August 25, 2009
The Escambia County Neighborhoods & Community Services Bureau offers a new six-week Sports for Squirts Athletic Development Program beginning August 26 at 6 p.m. at Ashton Brosnaham Sportsplex, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Road.
This program is designed to teach children ages three to five years old the basics of sports such as throwing, catching, kicking, and batting. It allows children to learn basic motor skills in a fun, non-competitive environment, to help them prepare for organized youth sports. Special soft equipment is used to prevent injuries and encourage participation.
The $35 per person price for the six classes includes all materials. Call to reserve your spot as the class has a maximum of 10 participants.
For registration and payment information, please contact the Escambia County Recreation Division at 850-475-5220, or recreation@co.escambia.fl.us, or visit www.myescambia.com.
Northview Mini-Cheerleading Clinic Scheduled
August 25, 2009
The annual Northview Mini-Cheerleading Clinic will be held this Friday, giving girls three-years old through the eighth grade the chance to cheer at halftime of a Northview Chiefs game.
The clinic will be from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Friday in the school gym. Registration is at 5:00. The clinic is open to children three-years old through the eighth grade. Cost is $15 per person or $20 for siblings. The girls will perform during halftime of the first home football game on September 4. They will receive free admission to the game. For questions, call Anna at Northview at (850) 327-6681.
Pensacola Pelicans Preserve Division Lead With 6-3 Win Over El Paso
August 24, 2009
The Pelicans picked up a much needed win on Sunday night, defeating the Diablos 6-3. On a night that saw the Captains and Air Hogs earn victories as well, the Pelicans earned the win they needed to remain three games ahead of Shreveport-Bossier, and three and a half games up on Grand Prairie. The Pelicans’ magic number is now four as seven games remain in the regular season. Avoiding a sweep in the final game of the series, Pensacola had to fend off multiple El Paso attacks.
The Pelicans took an early two-run lead in the first inning. Francisco Leandro doubled and Kevin Reynolds hit him in and then stole second, scoring himself on a Chase Burch single. Yet the Diablos answered right back in the top of the second with two runs of their own.
Jeff Vincent continued to foil Pelicans’ starter Randy Beam: after recording the lone knock in Beam’s one-hitter during July, Vincent started off the second inning in this game with a solo home run. After Jerry Verastegui grounded out, Eddy Rodriguez went yard as well, and the game was tied.
Pensacola scored a run in the bottom of the fifth in their gritty style: Jason Diaz singled, stole second, and Kevin Reynolds drove him in. Diaz would end the evening with a single in each of his three plate appearances.
El Paso rallied to tie it in the very next frame, leading off the top of the sixth with an Hector Bernal double. Randy Beam would leave the game in the inning, finishing with five and a third innings pitched, allowing three runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out six. The third run scored when Juan Camacho singled off new pitcher Francisco Butto, advancing Bernal to the dish.
Butto would keep the Diablos shut down for the next few innings, leaving after recording the final out of the eighth. His only blemishes were three hits, which he overshadowed with four strikeouts.
The Pelicans provided Butto with run support in the bottom of the sixth. Antoin Gray singled, moved to second on a groundout, third on a wild pitch, and scored on a Marcos Rodriguez base hit.
An inning later Pensacola added insurance when Jason Diaz recorded his final hit to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Francisco Leandro put down his second sacrifice bunt to advance Diaz to second base, and Marshall McDougall provided a timely to hit to bring him home. After McDougall recorded his first steal in a Pelicans uniform, Antoin Gray doubled to drive McDougall in, and the Pelicans had the 6-3 lead that would go final.
Hunter Davis pitched the ninth inning, giving up a leadoff single, but after inducing a popup to third base and a 6-4-3 double play, the ballgame was over and Davis earned his twenty-first save.
Diaz went 3-3, scoring twice, and Reynolds ended the evening 2-4 driving in two. Gray and Rodriguez each went 2-4, driving in one; Gray hit a double.
The Pelicans travel overnight to Fort Worth where they start a three game series on Monday. The Pelicans will throw Aaron Jackson against Fort Worth’s Ryan Riddle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and all the action can be heard on NewsRadio 1620 and online via SportsJuice.com.
NWE Midgets Beat Ensley, Gulf Breeze
August 23, 2009
The 2009 season for Northwest Escambia Football got underway Saturday at the Gulf Breeze Jamboree.
The NWE Midgets beat Ensley Gold 6-0 and dominated Gulf Breeze Blue 13-0. NWE rushed for 200 yards combined in two 25 minute quarters.
The NWE Mini-Mites beat Gulf Breeze White 6-0.
Northwest Escambia’s regular season gets underway next Saturday at the Ernest Ward football field against Pace Blue. The Mini-Mites take the field at 9:00; the Mites play at 10:30 and the Midgets are in action at noon.
NWE is off on September 5 and travels to Myrtle Grove on September 12.
Everyone is invited to support Northwest Escambia Football — the future Ernest Ward Eagles and Northview Chiefs.
Pcola Pelicans Still In First After Saturday Loss
August 23, 2009
The Pelicans dropped the second game in a row to the El Paso Diablos Saturday night, 10-4. The Diablos jumped out to an 8-0 lead after four innings, but the Pelicans did close the gap to four with their first grand slam of the year in the bottom of the sixth. However, that’s all the offense Pensacola could generate, and the Diablos would go on to score two more runs and take the game. The loss is dampened by a Captains’ loss this evening as well, keeping the Pels in first place three games ahead of Shreveport-Bossier.
On his birthday Dane DeValk started the game for Pensacola, ultimately lasting four innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on 11 hits, no walks, and three strikeouts. El Paso’s Arnoldo Ponce hit two solo homers, and Jeff Vincent added a two run homer in the top of the fourth as part of the Diablo’s eight runs. An error by the shortstop in the top of the third allowed Reynoso to reach. The error would be costly, as three runs scored unearned as a result.
Tyler Wilson pitched innings five, six, and seven, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk, striking out four. Ulysses Roque pitched a shutout, one-hit eighth and ninth, but the Pelicans would not score enough to win, plating just four runs in the bottom of the fifth.
With one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Francisco Leandro singled, Kevin Reynolds singled as well, and the bases were loaded after Marshall McDougall recorded his first hit of the night. After a strikeout, Antoin Gray connected for his fourteenth home run of the season, and the Pelicans’ first grand slam of the year.
Only Leandro and Reynolds had two hits for the Pelicans, and Antoin Gray’s four RBI were all that would score.
The Pelicans look to salvage a win from this series tomorrow, as the Diablos’ will throw Clegg Snipes on the hill, who started the season with the Pelicans. Pensacola will counter with Randy Beam, who threw a one-hit complete game shutout against El Paso in July of this year. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Tomorrow’s game is Kids Day, and all Kids Club members will gain free admission when wearing their club t shirt. For more ticket information, visit www.pensacolapelicans.com.