Wahoos And Braves Washed Out Thursday Night
May 30, 2014
For the third straight night, the Blue Wahoos and Mississippi Braves had to deal with rain at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss., and the rain finally won. The Blue Wahoos and Braves were postponed and the two teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Friday.
The game will consist of two seven inning games with roughly a half-hour break between the two games.
The Blue Wahoos will send RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-3, 1.99) to the mound in game one followed by RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) in game two. The Braves will counter with RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18) followed by RHP Aaron Northcraft (4-2, 2.70).
Pensacola will return home after the games and open a five-game series with the Jacksonville Suns on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
by Tommy Thrall
Chiefs Honor Top Baseball Players
May 29, 2014
Several awards and a scholarship were presented at the annual Northview High School baseball team banquet:
- Sportsmanship Award — Trevor Levins and Doug Sherrill
- Diamond Thief Award (most stolen bases) — Jody Bonner
- Offensive Player Award — Thomas Moore
- Defensive Player Award — Jody Bonner
- Pitching Award — Daulton Tullis
- Academic Award — Doug Sherrill
- MVP Award — Thomas Moore
- Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship — Brannon Freeman
Pictured top: (L-R) Tommy Weaver Memorial Scholarship winner Brannon Freeman, Northview Principal Gayle Weaver, Most Valuable Player Award winner Thomas Moore and Coach Marty Lister. Pictured below: The annual Northview High School baseball team banquet. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Second Straight In Extras To Braves
May 29, 2014
For the second straight night, the Mississippi Braves came from behind late in a game against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and won in walk-off fashion in extra innings. Blue Wahoos second baseman, Brodie Greene, committed a costly throwing error on an attempted double play which allowed former Wahoo Matt Kennelly to score with two outs handing the Braves the 5-4 win 13 innings.
Pensacola moved in front, 3-2, with a three-run sixth inning, but the Braves quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to even the score. Pensacola reclaimed the lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center field. It wasn’t until the ninth, that the Braves tied the game with an RBI double from, Tuesday night’s hero, Mycal Jones. It stayed that way until Mississippi took advantage of the Blue Wahoos miscues in the 13th inning for the 5-4 win.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was tremendous allowing just 2R/1ER between three relievers over 7.2 innings. Drew Hayes, Justin Freeman and Tim Adleman combined to strike out seven Braves hitters and allowed just four hits. Adleman retired the first nine hitters he faced before allowing a leadoff single to Kennelly to begin the 13th. He suffered the loss despite allowing just the one hit in 3.2 innings.
Jon Moscot went 5.0 innings in the start for the Wahoos. He allowed 3R/ER on seven hits with two walks and five strikeouts in the no-decision. Braves starter J.R. Graham was tough to solve for Pensacola. He went 5.1 innings and allowed just 2R/ER on only two hits with six strikeouts. He also took a no-decision. Ryne Harper earned the win with a scoreless inning out of the Braves bullpen. It was the second straight night he had pitched for Mississippi.
Offensively, Greene led the way. He finished 3-for-4 with double and two runs scored. He had Pensacola’s only multi-hit game.
Pensacola will look to rebound on Thursday night. RHP Mikey O’Brien (2-2, 4.58) will get the nod for the Blue Wahoos against Braves RHP Jason Hursh (3-4, 4.18). First pitch is set for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Mississippi Braves Walk Off Over Wahoos 3-2 In 11
May 28, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos claimed an early 2-0 lead, but it evaporated in the seventh allowing the Mississippi Braves to win the game 3-2 in 11 innings Tuesday night at Trustmark Park. Jones, who flew out with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, came up with the winning run at third in the 11th inning and drove a single to left-center field to hand the Blue Wahoos their third straight loss.
Robert Stephenson started for Pensacola and got a no-decision. He went 6.1 innings and allowed 2 R/1 ER with a couple of walks and five strikeouts. He allowed just four singles and didn’t allow a runner past first base until an RBI triple by David Rohm in the seventh.
The bullpen kept the game tied until James Walczak (L, 1-2) allowed the winning run in his only inning of work. Rohm, who scored the game winner, moved up to third on a two-out error by the shortstop which kept the inning alive. The Blue Wahoos had a chance to go in front in the 10th when Travis Mattair was thrown out at home on a two-out single to left by Yorman Rodriguez. Left fielder Cedric Hunter’s throw just beat Mattair at the plate to end the inning.
Chasen Shreve (W, 3-0) worked just one perfect inning out of the bullpen to earn the win. He struck out the side in order in the top of the 11th before earning his third win of the year.
The Blue Wahoos will try to snap their skid behind RHP Jon Moscot (3-3, 2.35) on Wednesday night. The Braves will counter with Atlanta’s No. 3 prospect J.R. Graham (0-2, 4.86). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. from Trustmark Park.
Braves’ Five Run Eighth Sinks Wahoos In Series Opener
May 27, 2014
Daniel Corcino dominated the Braves over six innings for the Wahoos on Monday night at Trustmark Park in the series opener between the Blue Wahoos and the Mississippi Braves, but a late rally against the bullpen propelled Mississippi to a 6-3 win over Pensacola. Mississippi plated five runs and sent 10 batters to the plate against three separate relievers in the eighth inning to come from behind for the win.
Corcino held the Braves at bay after allowing a run in the bottom of the first inning. He surrendered a leadoff double in the second and didn’t allow another hit until Matt Kennelly hit a one-out double in the sixth. Corcino gave up just the 1R/ER over 6.0 innings and allowed only three hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Travis Mattair gave the Wahoos a 3-1 advantage with a two-run home run in the third inning, his fourth homer of the year. The game stayed that way until the eighth.
The inning started with a bunt single, but four hits, a hit by pitch and an error later, the Braves had scored five times against three Blue Wahoos relievers to take a comfortable 6-3 lead to the ninth inning. Fabian Williamson (L, 0-4) entered the game with one on and nobody out and he left with one out, a run in and the bases loaded. Justin Freeman tried to pitch out of the jam, but all three runners came home and one of his own before the dust settled on the frame.
Shea Simmons (S, 14) retired the Wahoos 1-2-3 in the ninth to close it out and earn the save. Williams Perez logged seven innings in the start for the Braves. He gave up 3R/ER on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts, matching his season high. Despite the strong outing, the Braves starter didn’t record a decision. James Hoyt (W, 2-2) earned the win with a scoreless eighth out of the bullpen.
The Blue Wahoos will look to rebound on Tuesday night against the Braves. Reds No. 1 prospect RHP Robert Stephenson (2-4, 3.48) will start against Braves RHP Ryan Weber (1-0, 3.23). First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Trustmark Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Barons Top Wahoos By One
May 26, 2014
When starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen left the game after seven innings, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos trailed the Birmingham Barons by only one run, 2-1.
By the end of Sunday’s game, Birmingham left the field with a 5-1 victory in the finale of a five-game series at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was a familiar story to Lorenzen—a stingy offense. In his 10 starts this season, only three have come with more than three runs. Plus, both runs the Barons scored came on misplayed fly balls by centerfielder Yorman Rodriguez, normally known for his excellent defense and arm that’s rated the best in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
“Those things are out of my control,” Lorenzen said. “I could get mad and negative about it but that does not help me be successful. Plays just happen. The bug hit him twice, and I was like, ‘Man.’”
On a positive note, Lorenzon threw 5 innings without allowing a hit in his last start, and then another 3.1 innings Sunday for 8.1 straight no-hit innings over his last two starts. He finally gave up a double to the Barons Trayce Thompson which scored Dan Wagner, who had reached third on the first Rodriguez error.
“I try to throw a no-hitter every game out there,” Lorenzen said. “We were talking about it. It was a little frustrating” not to go nine innings without allowing a hit.
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields singled Lorenzen out after the game. “That kid is going to be a big league pitcher one day. Every time he throws I see something a little different.”
After Pensacola third baseman Juan Silverio hit his third solo homerun to left field in five at bats over the past two games to tie the game at 1 in the fifth inning, the Barons added another run in their very next at bat. Wagner led off with a double and scored to make the score, 2-1, on a deep fly ball by Thompson to centerfield that Rodriguez ran back on but dropped. The Barons added three more in the eighth inning for the 5-1 win.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose to the Birmingham Barons 5-1 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Sunday. Photo by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Barons
May 25, 2014
Red’s minor league hitting coordinator Ryan Jackson came to work with the Pensacola Wahoos during the series with the Birmingham Barons.
Pensacola leads the Southern League with .257 batting average but Jackson thought its lineup could use a little tune up.
One person who benefited was third baseman Juan Silverio who smacked two home runs, including a game-winning one in the eighth inning, that helped the Blue Wahoos rally from a five-run deficit to win, 7-6, over Birmingham in front of a third straight sellout crowd Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Wahoos seven runs on seven hits Saturday followed a 10-run, 10-hit victory the night before.
“I feel like they’re headed in the right direction,” Jackson said after throwing some batting practice before the game. “They just have to make sure they get quality at bats. That’s what I look for.”
Silverio said through a translator, Wahoos reliever Fabian Williamson, that Jackson had him doing some extra hitting off a tee.
“Things have been feeling better the past few days and batting practice today was pretty good,” said Silverio, who knocked a few over the left field wall just like he did in the game. “I went out there with a good approach.”
Trailing 6-1, Silverio, who was hitless in his previous eight at bats, started the rally with a solo shot in the fifth inning. The blast came after Wahoos manager Delino DeShields got thrown out of the game for arguing an out call at first base on Juan Duran’s grounder to third.
Two batters later, Rey Navarro added a nearly identical two-run homer over the left field wall to cut the Barons’ lead to, 6-4. Navarro came into the game hitting .342 in his last 10 games and has two doubles, a triple and homer against the Barons this series.
In the sixth inning, Pensacola then sent eight hitters to the plate and added two more runs to tie the game at 6.
The raucous Blue Wahoos fans then received some extra excitement after the inning when team owner Quint Studer danced with the grounds crew in the infield to “Sweet Home Chicago” by the Blues Brothers. Studer’s big move was a jumping 360-degree spin in the air that delighted the packed stadium.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Silverio clubbed another home run to left field to put Pensacola ahead for the first time, 7-6, which ended up the winning margin.
“Juan has a lot of talent and he works hard,” DeShields said of Silverio, who before coming to the Reds organization was the ninth best prospect in the White Sox organization in 2012. “I don’t think he realizes how much talent he has some times. He can be special.”
Northview Chiefs Top The Jay Royals In Spring Preview
May 24, 2014
The Northview Chiefs outscored the Jay Royals a total of 50-21 during a Spring Jamboree Friday night at Merle North Stadium in Jay.
In the first quarter of play between the junior varsity and reserve teams, the Chiefs beat the Royals 22-0. And in the final three quarters with varsity on varsity, Northview downed Jay 28-21.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Northview Head Coach Sid Wheatley said he was pleased with good blocking from his offensive linemen Friday night.
I thought we were able to control the ball well on offense; our backs had a good night,” he said. “Defensively we were a little bit undisciplined in the way were keying what they were doing in the backfield. But those are little things we can fix.
Wheatley said the team will head into tough, focused four-day a week summer workouts with a focus on strength, conditioning and speed. “We are really going to try to grow together as a football team,” with eyes on another trip to state in Orlando.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Birmingham Rallies For Seventh Inning Win Over The Wahoos
May 23, 2014
Pensacola Blue Wahoos righty Robert Stephenson is tabbed as the Cincinnati Reds organization’s top prospect this season.
However, he has no wins and two losses, so far, in the month of May. Thursday night, he earned a no decision as the Blue Wahoos blew a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning and lost to the Birmingham Barons, 4-3, in front of a sell-out crowd of 5,038 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
In his last four starts, Stephenson has allowed four earned runs for an ERA of 1.50, struck out 28 batters in 24 innings and only walked eight. Opposing hitters are batting .167 against him during that span. He leads the Southern League with 61 strike outs total.
Now those are the numbers of a top pitching prospect, who has taken the mound since he was 9-years-old and now at age 21 throws fastballs clocked Thursday night at 99 mph. About a half dozen Major League scouts looked on as the No. 19 prospect in the nation (among thousands of minor league prospects) gave up one run on two hits, struck out six and walked four in six innings of work.
“He’s like a wild stallion,” Pensacola manager Delino DeShields said about Stephenson. “We just have to corral some of that energy and fire he has out there. He dominated tonight.”
Stephenson outpitched the Chicago White Sox No. 9 prospect, Chris Beck, who gave up two earned runs on four hits in five innings and struck out four batters.
Stephenson said he’s not worried about his stats. He wants to throw inside fastballs for first pitch strikes to hitters and not fall behind in the count.
“I’m not concerned about my wins and losses,” he said. “I just want to give my team a chance to win.” And “absolutely” strike hitters out he said grinning.
Wahoos pitching coach Jeff Fassero said the main things for Stephenson to work on in Pensacola are more consistency and mastering his change-up. Against the Barons, Stephenson’s second inning was inconsistent. That’s when he gave up three walks, one of which led to a run when the Barrons’ Rangel Ravelo scored on a double to the gap by Kevan Smith. However, Stephenson slipped out of a bases-loaded jam.
“He’s been looking better,” Fassero said about the Reds’ minor league player of the year last season. “He just needs more consistency of all his stuff.”
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose to the Birmingham Barons 4-3 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Thursday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Barons
May 22, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Birmingham Barons 7-2 in the first game of a five-game series Wednesday night.
Pensacola got on the scoreboard first in the fifth inning when left fielder Brodie Greene hit a deep sacrifice fly ball to right field that scored Juan Duran, who led off the inning with a double over the centerfielder’s head. Two more runs scored on a walk to Devin Lohman, a double down the right field line by Rey Navarro and another double to right by Travis Mattair, who has a six-game hitting streak.
In the next inning with the bases loaded, Greene cleared the bases, hitting a sizzling groundball into the left field corner for a triple that gave Pensacola a, 7-1, lead. He also scored a run.
“Each at bat I’m feeling better and better,” Greene said. “I’m trying to take advantage of my opportunities.”
Birmingham scored in the sixth inning on a home run by Trace Thompson. It was the only run given up by Pensacola’s starting pitcher, Daniel Corcino, who struck out the first Barons’ batter in four of the first five innings and had six strikeouts total.
Pensacola manager Delaino DeShields liked Corcino’s performance Wednesday, after giving up six runs in 1 2/3 innings in his last outing.
“It was a solid game for Corcino,” he said. “He had a rough outing the last time but was back tonight.”
by Tommy Thrall