Pcola Pels Shutout El Paso
July 12, 2009
Randy Beam pitched the first one-hitter in Pelicans history as Pensacola shutout El Paso 5-0 on Saturday night. Beam carried a no-hitter two outs into the eighth inning before yielding the first and only hit of the night. Beam’s changeup was vicious, striking out ten batters on the evening. Homeruns carried the offense, as Adam Darby hit his first professional round tripper, and Antoin Gray hit a three run shot for his seventh dinger of the year.
Adam Darby put the Pelicans on the board with two out in the bottom of the second inning by hitting a solo bomb over the right field wall, the first of his professional career.
While Randy Beam dominated Diablos, Pensacola put up four more runs in the bottom of the seventh. Rafael Alvarez led the inning off with a single, then moved to second on a Lester Contreras sacrifice bunt. Adam Darby’s second hit in as many at-bats moved Alvarez to third. Luis Guance flied out deep enough to center to score Alvarez and double the Pelicans’ run total. Francisco Leandro walked before Antoin Gray came up and hit his seventh homerun of the year, a three-run fence clearer that put the Pelicans up 5-0.
Randy Beam struck out the side in the second inning and was cruising along until Jeff Vincent stepped up in the sixth. Vincent hammered a ball right above second baseman Antoin Gray’s head. Gray jumped up and knocked the ball down, but Vincent reached first base safely. The play was ruled an error, and Beam’s no-no was intact. After nine strikeouts, Beam faced Vincent again in the eighth inning. With two outs, Vincent hit a fast-hopper up the middle to record the first and only El Paso hit. Beam would walk the next two batters before striking out his tenth batter of the game.
Beam allowed only the one hit, struck out ten, and only walked two in his fifth win of the year. The complete game, one-hit shutout was the first in Pelicans history, and before tonight, Beam’s season-high was six strikeouts in a game. Adam Darby went 3-3 with two singles and his homerun, and Antoin Gray’s only hit was the three-run bomb.
Pensacola has forced at least a tie in this six-game series, as the final game will be played Sunday at 6:05 p.m. The Pelicans will throw Jason Navarro against the Diablos’ Justin Mallett. Before the game, the Blue Angels and crew will take on the Pelicans staff and local celebrities in a softball game starting at 4 o’clock. Sunday is also Kid’s Day: all Kid’s Club members gain free admission to the park when wearing their member t-shirts. New memberships are available for just $10 and are good for the rest of the season. More information is available at www.pensacolapelicans.com.
Pelican’s Winning Streak Comes To An End
July 11, 2009
The El Paso Diablos tied their series with the Pensacola Pelicans at two on Friday, defeating Pensacola 5-3.
Pensacola scored first in the bottom of the second when Adam Darby reached on a fielder’s choice and moved to second on a wild pitch. Darby moved up to third when Luis Guance singled. Kyle LaMotta hit a ground ball that scored Darby and the Pelicans led by one.
El Paso roared back in the top of the fourth. With one out Eddy Rodriguez singled, and Jeff Vincent hit a double, pushing Rodriguez to third. David Washington hit a single that scored Rodriguez and Vincent advanced to third base. When Hector Bernal reached on a fielder’s choice, Vincent scored on the play and the Diablos took a 2-1 lead. They added insurance in the fifth inning, scoring Juan Camacho from third base when the Pelicans’ third baseman made a throwing error.
Pensacola tied it at three in the bottom of the seventh when Lester Contreras started the frame with a single. Darby put down a sacrifice bunt and Contreras moved into scoring position. Luis Gaunce followed with a RBI double, and came in to score when Antoin Gray hit a single.
Tied at three in the top of the ninth, El Paso made a push for the lead: Mike Provencher reached on a fielder’s choice, then advanced to third when Tyler Johnson picked up a base hit. Eddy Rodriguez collected the game-winner on a single up the middle that plated Provencher. Johnson also scored on an error by the first baseman. Mike Cervera made the 5-3 lead held up in the bottom half, picking up his second save.
Yury Santana earned his second win of the year, and Hunter Davis took his first loss. Adam Brandenburg started the game for Pensacola, pitching five innings, allowing eight hits that scored three runs, of which two were earned. He walked four and struck out four. Joseph Wedner made his Pelicans debut on the night, pitching three solid innings, allowing only one baserunner via walk, and striking out four. Hunter Davis pitched a shaky ninth that allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits, walking one and striking out one.
The Pelicans were decent at the plate, as Burch, Rodriguez, Contreras, and Guance all had two hits. Guance had a RBI double, and Kyle LaMotta picked up his first hit in the American Association.
The Pelicans and Diablos will play the fifth game in this six-game series on Saturday at 6:05 p.m.
NWE Girls Win 11-12 Year Old Softball Championship
July 9, 2009
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars won the 11-12 Year Old All-Star District 1 Tournament championship Wednesday night in Destin.
NWE beat Niceville 4-1 to claim the district title. They will advance to the sectional tournament July 18 and 19 in Destin.
Pitching for NWE Wednesday night, Mallory Ryan had seven strikeouts and allowed just two walks. Reagan Bell, Danielle Steadham, Cheyenne Schoonover and Kyndall Hall each scored once for Northwest Escambia.
The NWE All-Stars were undefeated during the tournament, with a 7-0 win over Niceville, a 12-1 win over Shalimar and Wednesday night’s 4-1 win over Niceville.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars with their championship banner Wednesday night in Destin. Pictured front: (L-R) Addy Lee, Kyndall Hall, Kendal Cobb, Courtney Peebles, Darby Randolph, Mallory Ryan, Danielle Steadham, Cheyanne Schoonover, Reagan Bell and Madison Arrington. Pictured back row: Manager Jerry Mason and Coach David Arrington. Submitted photo by Kim Ryan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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.
