Jay Royals Win Regionals, Headed To State
May 6, 2014
For the second time in three years, the Jay Lady Royals are headed back to the state softball tournament.
The Lady Royals beat Port St. Joe 6-5 Monday afternoon to claim the Region 2-1A championship.
Chassity McCranie pitched the win for Jay, allowing five runs, 10 hits, striking out seven and recording four errors in seven innings pitched.
For Jay (24-3) — Michaela Stewart 5-5, run, 2 RBIs, HR; Harley Taggert 2-4, RBI; Dana Blackmon 2-4, run; Emily Dodson 1-1, run, RBI; Taylor Moore 1-4, run, RBI, double. Stewart’s solo homer in teh third was over the fence — and through a truck’s back window.
The Lady Royals will play Bell in the state semifinals on Friday morning at 10:35 a.m. Eastern at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.
Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals celebrate their 6-5 win over Port St. Joe for the Region 2-1A championship Monday in Jay. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Fourth Straight
May 6, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Chattanooga Lookouts, 9-8, in the first game of the series on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (14-17) won their fourth game in a row, their longest winning streak of the season. The Lookouts (12-18) staged a big comeback scoring five runs in the seventh, but couldn’t score on the Wahoos bullpen over the final two innings.
RHP Daniel Corcino pitched well in the series opener, giving up 3 R/ER in 6.0 innings. Corcino allowed just four hits and had two strikeouts on the evening. RHP Shane Dyer earned his third save of the season giving up just one hit in the ninth inning.
The Wahoos had a huge night offensively and were led by Juan Silverio. The third baseman went 3-for-4 with a home run, double and two RBI. Silverio was just a triple shy of the cycle. Center fielder Beau Amaral drove in his second run at Double-A level and went 2-for-5 on the night. Rey Navarro hit the ball well all night and ended up going 1-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Tuesday at PapaJohns.com
Chattanooga’s Raydel Sanchez started his second game of the season and was chased from the game quickly by the Wahoos. The right-hander gave up 7 R/ER on six hits and made it just 3.2 innings. Nick Struck came on in relief in a Lookouts uniform for the first time this season and gave up 2 R/ER on five hits in 2.1 innings pitched.
O’Koyea Dickson led the charge and the comeback for the Lookouts; he hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and had a six-RBI night. Left fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker had a multi-hit night going 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Minor League Baseball announced today that the Blue Wahoos were one of the top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2013. Minor League Baseball’s 160 teams combined for more than 55.4 million in retail sales last year.
The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (2-2, 5.40) to the rubber for game two of the series on Tuesday. The Lookouts will counter with RHP Tyson Brummett (2-2, 0.61).
by Tommy Thrall
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts 9-8 Monday. Photos by (Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Third In A Road, Takes Series Over Jackson
May 5, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won the rubber match against the Jackson Generals on Sunday. The Wahoos (13-17) exploded offensively to win their third game in a row over the Generals (14-16). Brodie Greene led the game off with a home run in the top of the first inning and the Wahoos never looked back.
RHP Mikey O’Brien made his first start of the season for the Wahoos. O’Brien had his longest outing of the year; he went 5.0 innings and gave up just one run. The right-hander struck out four batters and surrendered three hits. LHP Fabian Williamson was fantastic in relief of O’Brien, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up just one hit.
Greene went 3-for-6 with three RBI, including his first home run of the year. Bryan Anderson once again was a key component to the Pensacola offense. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI and hit his second triple of the season. Juan Silverio bounced back after a tough start to the series; he went 2-for-5 with an RBI. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Monday at PapaJohns.com
Jackson’s Tyler Olson made his first ever Double-A start and the Wahoos hit him hard. Olson made it only 4.0 innings, giving up 10 hits and 6 R/ER. Moises Hernandez came on relief and steadied the ship for the Generals; he went 3.0 innings and gave up 1 R/0 ER. Jackson’s third baseman Ramon Moria had the only RBI on the evening for the Generals, a solo shot off of O’Brien.
The Wahoos will return to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Monday to take on the Chattanooga Lookouts for a five-game home stand. RHP Daniel Corcino (2-3, 4.26) will head to the bump for the Wahoos in the first game of the series. The Lookouts have yet to determine their starting pitcher for Monday.
by Joey Truncale
West Florida Softball Headed To State Semi’s (With Photo Gallery)
May 5, 2014
The West Florida Lady Jaguars made school history Sunday, earning the teams first ever trip to a state softball tournament. The Lady Jags earned the state berth with a tight 2-1 Region 1-4A championship win over West Nassau.
Korina Rosario pitched the win for the West Florida in seven, with two walks, one run and three strikeouts.
Rosario was 2-3 with walk; Kristin Gunter was 2-4 with a double and RBI; Ali Cutaio went 1-3 with a double; Jibrasha Moore was 1-3 with a sacrifice bunt; Breana Roger went 1-3; Emily Loring was 1-3 with the winning RBI.
The West Florida Lady Jaguars will play the Gulliver Preparatory Raiders in the 4A semifinals on Wednesday. The game begins at 10:35 a.m. Eastern at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach. Admission is $9 per person, and parking is $8. The winner advances to a Thursday morning state championship game against either P.K. Yonge or Mulberry.
Pictured top: The West Florida High School Lady Jaguars won the Region 1-4A championship Sunday near Jacksonville. Pictured: the Lady Jags celebrate. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Regional Champs! Tate Lady Aggies Headed To Final Four
May 4, 2014
The Tate Lady Aggies won the Region 1-7A championship game Saturday night 5-1 over East Ridge.
Casey McCrakin hit an over the left field fence homer in the bottom of the first for the Lady Aggies. The Aggies improve their lead to 3-1 with consecutive doubles from Tori Perkins and Kaylen Rowell. McCrackin scored two runs — on a sacrifice fly from Rowell in the second and a fielder’s choice also from Rowell in the third.
Next up for the Aggies is a road trip to the final four state semifinals in Vero Beach against St. Thomas Aquinas Friday afternoon, with their eyes set on the state championship game on Saturday.
Wahoos Come From Behind To Beat Jackson Generals
May 4, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored three runs in the ninth inning to come from behind for a 3-1 win over the Jackson Generals on Saturday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. Juan Duran singled home a pair of runs with two outs to put the Wahoos in front in the top of the ninth.
Michael Lorenzen pitched well in his start for the Blue Wahoos. The lone run he allowed scored in the second inning on a groundout to the shortstop. Lorenzen logged 6.0 innings and allowed just the 1R/ER on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Generals starter Cam Hobson upstaged Lorenzen with 7.0 shutout innings for Jackson without recording a decision. Maycol Guaipe (1-1) allowed all three runs in the ninth after working a scoreless eighth to take the loss out of the Generals bullpen.
The Generals threatened to extend their lead in the eighth inning against Wahoos reliever Drew Hayes (2-1). Steve Selsky threw out Kevin Rivers trying to score from second on John Hicks’ single to left field. Hayes struck out the next batter to end the inning and set up the Wahoos comeback. That was Hayes’ only inning of work to earn the win in front of many of his friends and family from the right-handers nearby hometown, McKenzie, Tenn. Shane Dyer (S, 2) worked a one-two-three ninth to earn his second save of the year.
Bryan Anderson and Ray Chang both had two-hit games for the Blue Wahoos to lead the offense.
Pensacola has now tied the series at two and will look for their first series win since taking four-of-five from the Smokies to open the season. The Blue Wahoos will start RHP Mikey O’Brien (0-2, 5.25) against Generals LHP Tyler Olson who will be making his Double-A debut. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. from the Ballpark at Jackson.\
by Tommy Thrall
Playoff Roundup: Jay, Tate, West Florida Advance
May 2, 2014
Jay 7, South Walton 2 (Softball)
The Jay Lady Royals won their Region 3-1A quarterfinal game Thursday 7-2 over South Walton.
Chasity McCranie pitched the win for the Lady Royals in seven, striking out 11, allow a double, two runs, five hits and committing two erros.
For the Lady Royals, Destiny Herring was 1-4 with a run, double and two RBis, Samantha Steadham was 2-4 with a run, double and2 RBIs; Holly Taggert two runs; and Makayla Stewart had a couple of runs.
The Lady Royals will host either Port St. Joe or Chipley on Monday at 4 p.m.
Tate 10, Navarre 0 (Softball)
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the Navarre Raiders 10-0 Thursday in the Region 1-7A semifinal game.
On Saturday, the Lady Aggies will host East Ridge Saturday in the Region 1-7A at 2 p.m.
West Florida 6, Taylor County 5 (Baseball)
West Florida High School beat Taylor County 6-5 in the baseball Region 1-4A quarterfinals. Nick Lackey was 2-4 with a double and two RBis for West Florida, while Chad Simmons was 3-4 with an RBI. Kyle Harrison hammered n the game winning run, going 1-4 with a double.
The West Florida Jaguars will host the Region 1-4A semifinals next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
West Florida Beats Tally High In Region 1-4A Semi (With Gallery)
May 2, 2014
The West Florida High Lady Jaguars won the Region 1-4A semifinal game Thursday night against Tallahassee High, 5-0.
Senior Korina Rosario pitched the shut out, giving up eight hits, two walks while recording nine strike outs. Hitters for West Florida were Nachelle Watson 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs; Ali Cutaio was 1-3; Kristen Gunter was 2-2 with two RBIs; Rosario went 1-2; Jordaine Watkins was 1-3 with a double and RBI; and Lauren Carnley was 1-3 with a double.
West Florida (25-1) will travel to face West Nassau High in Callahan (north of Jacksonville) on Saturday in the Region 1-4A finals and the chance at the state playoffs next week in Vero Beach. A playoff final win would be the first softball state championship.
Pictured top: West Florida Senior Nachelle Watson comes in on her home run Thursday against Tallahassee High. Pictured inset: Senior Karina Rosario pitched the Lady Jags’ win. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Generals Make It Two Straight Over Pensacola Blue Wahoos
May 2, 2014
For the second straight night the Generals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back on their way to a 5-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Thursday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. The Wahoos pushed across their first run of the series with two outs in the ninth.
The Generals opened the game with back-to-back doubles and both were converted to runs on sacrifice flies to give Jackson an early 2-0 lead. Nate Melendres launched a solo home run to make it 3-0 in the second inning. Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Robert Stephenson (L, 2-2) went on to retire 11 of the next 12 batters he faced. The only man to reach got on with an error. Stephenson allowed a one-out double followed by a walk in the sixth to bring an end to his night. Both came home to score on an RBI single by Manny Pina off Tim Adleman, but the runs were charged to Stephenson.
Ross Perez led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with a 4-for-5 game including a triple and Pensacola’s only RBI. The Wahoos had base runners in every inning and left a season-high 15 runners on base.
Stephenson was tagged with the loss and charged with all 5R/ER. He walked two and struck out four. Jochi Ogando went four innings in the start for the Generals. He didn’t allow a run and walked three with five strikeouts. Stephen Shackleford (W, 3-1) earned the win out of the bullpen. He allowed just 1R/0ER over the final 2.2 innings.
The Wahoos look for their first win in four games with RHP Jon Moscot (1-1, 2.08) on the mound against Generals RHP Trevor Miller (0-3, 5.40).
by Tommy Thrall
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Generals Shut Out Wahoos 5-0 In Series Opener
May 1, 2014
The Jackson Generals never looked back after a two-run first-inning home run, and cruised to a 5-0 win over the Blue Wahoos Wednesday night in the series opener at the Ballpark at Jackson. With a runner at first, Kevin Rivers launched a two-run home run over the right field wall to give the Generals all they needed. Rivers’ homer was one of two for the Generals. Mickey Wiswall’s solo shot capped the scoring in the sixth.
The Blue Wahoos were held to just two hits in the game. James Gillheeney (W, 1-0) held Pensacola at bay over 6.0 innings while earning his first win of the season in just his second start with Jackson. The Blue Wahoos lone threat came in the fifth when a walk, single and error loaded the bases with two outs, but the Wahoos couldn’t push across a run.
Daniel Corcino (L, 2-3) went 6.0 innings and was charged with all 5 R/ER on six hits. He walked two and struck out four in his third loss of the season. The bullpen pitched well to finish the game. Mikey O’Brien and Shane Dyer each worked scoreless inning in relief.
The Blue Wahoos will look to rebound on Thursday with RHP Robert Stephenson (2-1, 4.43) on the mound against Generals RHP Jochi Ogando (0-2, 11.37). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m from the Ballpark at Jackson.