Junior Baseball Tourney Begins Saturday At NWE
July 9, 2009
The Florida District 1 Junior Baseball All Star Tournament begins Saturday at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill with four teams competing.
At 5:00 Saturday, Shalimar with take on Defuniak Springs. Host team Northwest Escambia begins play at 7:30 Saturday against Niceville-Valparaiso. Round two will be Monday night, with winners playing at 5:00 and losers playing at 7:30.
The Northwest Escambia All-Star Team includes:
- Brannon Freemon
- Alkoda Snyder
- Colton Williams
- Wade Jernigan
- Dalton Tullis
- Reed Bell
- Blake McCall
- Harold Harrison
- Justice Agerton
- Justin Haltemon
- Jerry Barlow
- Manager: Matthew Reynolds
- Coaches: Body Tullis, Trent Freemon, David Bell, Matt Walker
Pensacola Pelicans Extend Winning Streak To Six Games
July 9, 2009
The Pelicans extended their winning streak to six games, claiming victory over the El Paso Diablos in the first two games of the season. The first game lasted two days and 13 innings before the Pels won 11-10. El Paso put up four runs in the top of the thirteenth inning, but Pensacola rallied for five to win it. Game two was a surgical 5-0 win as Kyle Middleton pitched a complete-game, seven-inning shutout, striking out eight.
The Pelicans had a rousing bottom of the thirteenth in game one, as Lester Contreras led off with a single. With one out, Luis Guance singled and advanced to second on a throwing error by the third baseman. Contreras scored on the play, and a four run Diablo lead was cut to 10-7. Francisco Leandro followed up with a single of his own, Guance scored, and Leandro advanced to second on a throwing error by the third baseman. Antoin Gray came to the plate and singled to score Leandro, then moved to third when Chase Burch got a base knock up the middle. Marcos Rodriguez pounded a hit through the left side, scoring Gray to tie the game at ten and moving Burch to second. Lou Palmisano won the game for the Pelicans on a RBI single between third and second to plate Burch and give the Pelicans their fifth straight win.
Ron Hill earned the win for the Pelicans, improving to 1-0 on the season. Jason Navarro started the game for Pensacola and pitched five innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits, with two strikeouts and two walks. Tyler Wilson started the rain-suspended game on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., pitching innings six through nine and allowing one earned run, four hits, and two walks. Ron Hill pitched from the tenth inning on, giving up four runs on six hits with two walks. Hill struck out six batters.
The second game started after nine o’clock, and was a perfect example of Kyle Middleton’s performance on the year. Middleton didn’t allow a run in the full seven-innings (as the game was shortened due to the double-header), struck out eight, and allowed just four hits and a walk. Middleton improved to 4-1 in 2009 while Justin Mallet (1-4) took the loss.
The Pelicans took a 2-0 lead in the first and never looked back. Leandro led off with a single, and Gray followed with one of his own. Chase Burch hit a RBI single to drive in Leandro. Two outs later, Luis Gaunce hit a single and Gray came in as well.
Pensacola added another run in the third: Marcos Rodriguez extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a one-out base hit, then scored when Lou Palmisano hit a double. The last bit of insurance came in the bottom of the sixth as Lester Contreras reached on an error by the third baseman and was awarded second base. Adam Darby hit a single to move Contreras to third, and Kyle LaMotta hit a sacrifice fly to left that brought Contreras in to score. Francisco Leandro walked, and with Darby on second, both runners took off and stole second and third, respectively. When Chase Burch grounded out, Darby touched home and the Pelicans led 5-0, the final score.
Over the two games, Francisco Leandro went 5-8 with his first homer of the year and three stolen bases, Chase Burch went 5-10 with a double, and Marcos Rodriguez went 4-11 with a two-bagger of his own. Lou Palmisano had three RBI, and Luis Guance stole his team-best seventeenth base.
The Pelicans and Diablos play the third game of this six-game series on Thursday with a scheduled 6:35 p.m. first pitch. RHP Dane DeValk (3-1, 3.53 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against El Paso’s LHP Nick Martin (2-4, 4.69 ERA). The Famous San Diego Chicken will entertain fans during the game. Tickets to the contest are still available at www.pensacolapelicans.com, Pensacola-area Circle K locations, and in person at the box office located outside Pelican Park.
Tri-County Loses Championship Softball Game
July 8, 2009
The Tri-County All-Stars fell short of a softball district championship with a loss Tuesday night to Niceville.
Niceville downed Tri-County 18-0 in the finals of the 9-10 Year Old Little League All-Stars District 1 tournament in Niceville.
The Tri-County All-Stars lost their tournament opener against Shalimar 19-9 last week, and they went on to defeat Destin 21-18. Monday night, Shalimar forfeited to Tri-County, advancing them to Tuesday night’s finals against host team Niceville.
Pensacola Pelicans Game Halted By Rain
July 8, 2009
The Pelicans and Diablos will have to wait until Wednesday to see who wins the first game of their six-game series. With the score tied 5-5 midway through the fifth inning, rainfall postponed Tuesday’s game. The game will be resumed Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with the Pelicans batting in the bottom of the fifth.
What baseball was played on Tuesday was exciting, as both teams scored in the first inning. Arnoldo Ponce scored the first run of the game for El Paso after hitting a one-out single. Jorge Alvarez walked, and Juan Camacho followed up with a RBI single. A throwing error by the third baseman allowed Alvarez to score as well, and the Diablos led 2-0.
Pensacola rallied back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Francisco Leandro walked with one out, and Antoin Gray singled as well. Chase Burch singled to load the bases, but was out at second when Marcos Rodriguez reached on a fielder’s choice. Leandro scored on the play, however, and the Diablo lead was cut in half. Lou Palmisano followed with a RBI single that scored Gray to tie the game, and Adam Darby hit a base knock that plated Rodriguez, but Darby was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double.
The Pelicans starting pitcher was Jason Navarro, signed on Tuesday after playing triple-A ball in Mexico earlier this year. Navaroo retired the Diablos in order, bringing the Pels up in the bottom of the second. Pensacola added two more runs when Adam Deleo walked and Francisco Leandro hit his first homerun of the season to make the score 5-2 Pelicans.
El Paso made it close again in the top of the third, as Jorge Alvarez hit a two-run fence-clearer of his own to make it 5-4. With rain falling in the top of the fifth, El Paso’s Mike Provencher tied it up by scoring Arnoldo Ponce on a RBI fielder’s choice. The game was called after the top of the fifth was over. Francisco Leandro will lead off the bottom of the fifth when play resumes at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening. The scheduled game for July 8 will be shortened to a seven-inning affair and will take place following the conclusion of the first game.
Editors note: Would you like to read more stories about the Pensacola Pelicans? Email news@northescambia.com and let us know that you want to read Pelicans stories.
Tri-County 9-10 Girls Win; Boys Lose
July 7, 2009
In 9-10 year old ball action Monday night, Tri-County’s girls advanced to the finals of their tournament and the boys were eliminated.
Tri-County 6 Shalimar 0
The Tri-County 9-10 year old girls have advanced to the finals of the district softball tournament in Niceville.
Shalimar forfeited to Tri-County Monday night in the 9-10 Year Old Little League All-Stars District 1 tournament.
Tri-County will play host team Niceville Tuesday evening in the final round of tournament action.
The Tri-County girls lost their tournament opener against Shalimar 19-9, and they went on to defeat Destin 21-18.
Destin 12 Tri-County 0
The Tri-County boys lost to Destrin 12-0 Monday evening in Panama City.
That knocked Tri-County out of the 9-10 Year Old Little League All-Stars Tournament at RL Turner.
In their first tournament game, Tri-County beat host team RL Turner 12-2 on June 27. Two nights later, the Tri-County All-Stars beat Freeport 13-3. Thursday night, Tri-County suffered their first loss to undefeated Niceville-American, 7-4.
Discounted Pelicans Tickets For LEO, EMT And Fire Personnel; Sheriff To Sing
July 7, 2009
The Pensacola Pelicans will recognize law enforcement, fire, EMT, and other emergency staff from the area during Heroes Day Wednesday.
All Escambia, Santa Rosa, Baldwin, and Okaloosa County law enforcement, fire EMT and emergency staffers can buy one $8 ticket get one free with a valid badge or ID Wednesday night
Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan will be singing the National Anthem prior to the game, and Sgt. Ted Roy, the ESCO’s public information officer, will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Various emergency equipment, vehicles, and items will be on display for Pelicans fans to view.
Regular tickets to see the Pelicans being $7. Fans can purchase tickets in advance and print from home via the Pelicans website at www.pensacolapelicans.com. Additionally, fans can purchase tickets over the phone at (850) 934-8444 or at Escambia and Santa Rosa Circle K locations.
The Pelicans will take on the El Paso Diablos at 6:35 Wednesday evening.
NWE Girls Slam Shalimar 12-1; Advance To Tourney Finals
July 7, 2009
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars will play for the 11-12 Year Old All-Star District 1 Tournament championship Wednesday night. NWE advanced to the finals after a 12-1 win over Shalimar Monday night in Destin.
Mallory Ryan pitched a no hitter with just two errors. She had struck out five and had a single walk. Ryan also scored two runs for the NWE All-Stars.
Darby Randolph, Madison Arrington and Reagan Bell also scored two for NWE. Cheyenne Schoonover, Courtney Peebles, Kyndall Hall and Danielle Steadham scored one each for the NWE All-Stars.
NWE will play for the 11-12 Year Old All-Star District 1 softball title Wednesday night against the winner of Tuesday night’s Niceville versus Shalimar team. NWE has beat Niceville 7-0 already in the tournament, and downed Shalimar 12-1. In the event NWE should lose Wednesday night, they will play again Thursday night. If they win Wednesday night, they are tournament champions.
Click here for more photos from the game.
Pictured above and below: Members of the NWE All-Stars after a 12-1 in over Shamilar Monday night in Destin. Submitted photos by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Firecracker 5K: Honoring The Memory Of A Local Blind Runner
July 5, 2009
Last year, Angie White of Flomaton was legally blind when she ran the Firecracker 5K in Pensacola for the Fourth of July. Saturday, several area runners ran the race in her memory.
Angie was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September 2007, and was left legally blind. She ran the Firecracker on July 4, 2008, with husband Earnie White and best friend Jo Nolin holding her arms, guiding her across the finish line. It took her just less than an hour, almost 50 minutes behind the leader. Friends cheered and shouted her name as she crossed the finish line at number 732 out of 736 runners.
Angie died in February of this year after her battle with the disease called glioblastoma multiforme. Saturday, several runners from the area — including Earnie White and Jo Nolin — ran this year’s Firecracker 5K without Angie. They ran to honor her memory in the race that benefits those in need served by the Ronald McDonald House.
When doctors discovered the mass in her head, it was the size of a tennis ball. She underwent surgery on September 23, 2007. She stopped breathing. She survived the emergency procedure doctors performed, but her sight did not.
After the surgery, she was left unable to walk, unable to sit up. She credited the Lord for allowing her the strength to finish the race.
White often ran 5K and 10K races and even competed in the triathlon. She was active in her community as well, serving in the Flomaton Quaterback Club and Flomaton Band Boosters. She was a member of the Flomaton Baptist Church.
White died February 11, 2009, at the age of 49. She was survived by her husband, Earnest Ray White and three children.
Pictured top: Angie White (center) was legally blind when she ran last year’s Firecracker 5K on the July 4. She ran with the support of friend Jo Nolin (left) and husband Earnie White. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Area Runners Place In Firecracker 5K, Including Two In Top 10
July 5, 2009
Matt Dobson of Jay and Alan Ash of Atmore finished in the top 10 overall out of over 700 in Saturday’s Firecracker 5K in Pensacola. They were two of many runners from the North Escambia area taking part in the annual Fourth of July event.
Dobson, 39, finished fifth with a time of 16:28.8 to finish first in the male 36-39 age group. Neil McDonagh of Pensacola finished first overall with a time of 14:58.3.
Ash, 18, was sixth overall, first in the 15-19 age group, with a time of 16:34.5. John Nguyen, 16, of Cantonment finished 31 overall, sixth among males 15-19.
Hugh Long of Atmore finished first in the male 70-74 age group with a time of 28:28.1.
Dale Ash of Atmore was the top area walker in the Firecracker 5K, finishing ninth overall and first among females 40-49.
The race raised over $26,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.
Other North Escambia area runners and walkers are listed below, followed by their city, age, age group finish and time:
Top North Escambia area Firecracker 5K Runners:
- 5 Matt Dobson Jay FL 39 1M 35-39 16:28.8
- 6 Alan Ash Atmore AL 18 1M 15·19 16:34.5
- 31 John Nguyen Cantonment FL 16 6 M 15-19 19:28.0
- 45 James Dillard Cantonment FL 5 M35-39 20:31.3
- 64 Deanna Stewart Jay FL 22 1 F 20-24 21:25.2
- 85 Kevin P James Cantonment FL 26 9 M 25-29
- 66 D Rachel Yonke Cantonment FL 24 2 F 20-24 21:33.5
- 87 Matthew Yonke Cantonment FL 28 11 M 26-29 22:31.2
- 92 Matt Ash Atmore AL 20 11 M 20·24 22:45.2
- 107 Mark W. Gibson Cantonment FL 52 10 M 50-54 23:09,5
- 119 Danny Gainey Cantonment FL 42 7 M 40-44 23:46.1
- 124 Thomas Sapp Cantonment FL 43 8 M 40-44 23:54.0
- 173 Chris Dufour Cantonment FL 35 19M 35-39 25:30.1
- 193 James Alan Ash Atmore AL 61 16 M 50-54 25:58.2
- 223 Tom Richardson Cantonment FL 44 11 M 40-44 26:49.5
- 225 Melanie Garrett CantonmElnt FL 32 10 F 30-34 26:52.6
- 240 Brooke RowlllI Cantonment Fl 28 8 F 26-29 27:07.
- 247 Sue l James Cantonment FL 53 2 F 50-54 27:18.3
- 264 Richard Thomas Murray Cantonmant FL 39 24 M 35-39 27:40.5
- 267 Lynn Lambeth Flomaton AL 45 6 F 45-49 27:42.2
- 271 Scott Wilford Cantonment FL 37 25 M35·39 27:45.7
- 276 Keegan Lambeth Flomaton AL 18 30 M 15-19 27:48.8
- 295 Hugh Long Atmore AL 72 1M 70-74 28:28.1
- 320 Earnest White Flomaton AL 54 20M 50-54 29:24.6
- 333 Robert Bath Molino FL 58 11 M 55-59 29:56.9
- 383 Robyn Sapp Cantonment FL 35 9 F 35-39 31:19.1
- 394 Steve Lambeth Flomaton AL 48 32 M 45-49 31:37.9
- 415 Brian K McGill Atmore AL 49 34 M 45·49 32:11.9
- 455 Jo Nolin Flomaton AL 59 4 F 65·59 33:21.4
- 462 Dee Ann Keliy Cantonment FL 35 19 F 35-39 33:29.7
- 477 Mary Nixon Molino FL 55 5 F 55·59 34:14.6
- 504 Victoria Fox Cantonment FL 26 23 F 25-29 35:13.3
- 515 Dawn Thomas Cantonment FL 44 23 F 40-44 35:36.2
- 537 Terry Kelly Atmore AL 45 39 M 45·49 36:31.7
- 538 Kimberly Kelly Atmore AL 41 24 F 40·44 36:33.0
- 539 Katherine S McGill Atmore AL 49 24F 4549 36:33.8
- 560 Amanda Patterson Cantonment FL 37 28 F 35-39 37:09.2
- 562 Erica Bondurant Atmore AL 27 27 F 25-29 37:13.8
- 572 Emily Russell Jay FL 12 5 F 10-14 37:42.8
- 573 Alison Russell Jay FL 14 6 F 10-14 37:44.3
- 575 Terri Dufour Cantonment FL 30 41 F 30-34 37:53.7
- 579 Pamela Clark Cantonment FL 37 31 F 35-39 38:02.0
- 587 Cecily Sauls Cantonment FL 46 27 F 45-49 38:47.9
- 603 Stephanie Boyett Cantonment FL 30 47 F 30-34 40:12.8
- 606 Jill Conner Flomaton AL 32 49 F 30-34 40:17.3
- 636 Nathan Gainey Cantonment FL 9 4M 0·9 41:54.6
- 645 Rai Lopez Cantonment FL 43 36 F 4044 42:34.2
- 650 Juie Russell Jay FL 37 37 F 35-39 43:28.2
- 655 Susan Hendrix Molino FL 45 33 F 45·49 43:35.6
- 662 Cyndi Jolly Cantonment FL 56 14 F 55·59 43:57.2
- 694 Shawna Moore Flomaton AL 23 23 F 20-24 51:02.4
Top North Escambia area Firecracker 5K Walkers:
- 9 Dale Ash Atmore AL 49 1 F 40·49 40:02.1
- 16 Candace R. Gibson Cantonment FL 56 3 F 50-59 41:55.2
- 33 Robyn Klumpp Cantonment FL 34 4 F 30-39 45:44.4
- 34 Phillip Klumpp Cantonment FL 43 2 M 40-49 45:44.9
- 49 Kathy Walker Cantonment FL 36 9F 30-39 48:06.9
- 56 Sandy Russell Cantonment FL 50 13 F 50·59 48:23.8
- 62 Susan Jernigan Cantonment FL 36 10 F 30-39 49:51.3
- 63 Nancy Pelfrey Cantonment FL 54 18 F 50-59 49:51.6
- 70 Brandi Morris Cantonment FL 27 2 F 20-29 50:21.6
- 73 Sherry Cunningham Century FL 55 3 F 60-69 50:59.5
Pictured above: Runners start the Firecracker 5K Saturday morning in Pensacola. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Destin Downs Tri-County; Rain Causes Delays In Jay, Destin
July 3, 2009
Tri-County was knocked out of the 11-12 Year Old Baseball All-Star Tournament in Jay with a Thursday night loss to Destin.
The Destin All-Stars defeated Tri-County 15-5 in a game that was delayed by weather. That weather delay in the first game of the night caused the second Thursday night tournament game between Defuniak Springs and Niceville-American to be postponed until a future date to be determined.
Meanwhile, it was a wet and stormy night in Destin too, with a rainout of the Northwest Escambia softball game against Shalimar. It has been rescheduled for Monday night as the 11-12 Year Old All-Star District 1 Tournament continues in Destin.
The Destin area was hit hard by storms Thursday afternoon, with over $1 million in damage done to several planes at the Destin Airport.