Blue Wahoos Snap Losing Skid, Beat Montgomery 5-3
July 11, 2013
Ryan LaMarre broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a game-winning two-run home run giving the Blue Wahoos all they needed to down the Montgomery Biscuits 5-3 in the series opener at Riverwalk Stadium Wednesday night. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Blue Wahoos.
After the two teams waited out a rain delay of nearly an hour, Pensacola struck first with a run in the top of the second when LaMarre brought home Tucker Barnhart from third with a sacrifice fly to right field. The Biscuits quickly responded using a hit and three walks, including one with the bases loaded, to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.
The Biscuits moved in front with back to back home runs from Todd Glaesmann and Kyeong Kang in the bottom of the third. Blue Wahoo starter Shaun Ellis labored through three innings and was charged with all three Biscuits runs. He also walked a season-high four batters in the no decision.
Pensacola got back on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the fourth. Barnhart started the rally with a one-out solo home run. Travis Mattair singled behind him and scored on a two-out double from LaMarre. The left fielder mishandled the ball allowing Mattair to scamper home with the game-tying run.
The two teams traded zeros until the ninth. With Mattair at first and two outs, LaMarre launched a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall to give the Blue Wahoos a 5-3 advantage. Trevor Bell (S, 5) came in and nailed down the save, his fifth in as many tries. Bell combined with three other relievers to work six scoreless innings. Chris Manno worked three shutout and Lee Hyde (W, 3-4) pitched 1.1 scoreless. Hyde earned the win, his third of the season. Juan Sandoval (L, 2-2) took the loss for the Biscuits after allowing the ninth inning home run.
Five players had multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos. Corey Wimberly (2-for-4), Barnhart (2-for-4), Brodie Greene (2-for-4), LaMarre (2-for-3) and Mattair (3-for-4) all had at least two hits, but LaMarre added three RBI.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series with the Biscuits on Thursday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (3-7, 3.63) gets the nod for Pensacola against Biscuits LHP Enny Romero. First pitch is slated for 7:05 from Riverwalk Stadium.
story by Kevin Burke
Northview Announces 2013 JV Football Schedule
July 10, 2013
The Northview Chiefs have announced their 2013 junior varsity football schedules.
Games will be played as follows:
Aug 29 – Baker – Away
Sept 9 – Escambia Co, AL – Home
Sept 19 – West Florida – Away
Sept 23 – Escambia County, AL -Away
Oct 3 – West Florida – Home
Oct 17 – Baker – Home
All games are scheduled for 6 p.m.
For the previously announced Northview Chiefs 2013 varsity schedule, click here.
Wahoos Drop Fourth Straight
July 9, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos offense was quieted for a majority of the evening and couldn’t convert on a late-inning threat, falling 3-2 to the Jackson Generals in the series finale on Monday night. Jackson ended up taking the final four games of the five-game set.
Just like every other game in the series, the Generals jumped out to an early lead, this time against Wahoos starter Josh Smith. The right-hander plunked Ramon Morla with one out in the second inning and Jack Marder made him pay by blasting a two-run homer to left to give Jackson a 2-0 lead. It was Marder’s second home run of the season.
An inning later, Steven Proscia singled home Chris Taylor who had singled and advanced to second on an error by the center fielder Ryan LaMarre. It ended up being an unearned run charged to Smith, who fell to 7-7 with a tough-luck loss. Smith posted his third straight quality start by allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in six innings with six strikeouts.
Pensacola jumped back into the contest against Jackson starter Chance Ruffin in the fourth inning. The Wahoos loaded the bases on two singles and a walk against Ruffin before Stephen Kohlscheen replaced him. Ryan LaMarre and Theo Bowe brought home runs with sacrifice flies to cut the lead to one.
Kohlscheen then dominated the Wahoos, allowing no hits in 3.1 innings of relief to pick up his third win of the season against three losses.
In the eighth, though, Pensacola had runners on second and third with one out but Stephen Shackleford extinguished the rally with a strike out of Travis Mattair and a fielder’s choice from Ray Chang after an intentional walk to Ray Chang.
Shackleford walked two in the ninth inning, but got out unscathed with a caught stealing, strikeout, and a flyout to the warning track from Devin Lohman to end the game.
Pensacola returns to action on Wednesday with the first game of five against the Montgomery Biscuits at Riverwalk Stadium. Newly named All-Star Shaun Ellis (3-1, 3.21) will toe the rubber for the Wahoos against the Biscuits’ Enny Romero (8-4, 3.02). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke
11U Argos Win Gulf Coast Elite World Title
July 8, 2013
The Cantonment 11U Argos are the Nations Gulf Coast Elite World Champions. They recently defeated the Gulf Coast Storm 16-9 for the title, after needing to win three straight games during the tournament in Gulf Breeze. Pictured: (bottom L-R) : Christian Munoz, John Pinette, Nathan Brewton, Trevor Norton, Cole Mullins, (top) Sam Shackle, Cameron Bailey, TJ McCants, Chase Barcus and Jacob Bryant. Coaches are Mike Norton, Levy Bryant and Matt Faust. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Generals Put Damper On Late Wahoos Rally
July 8, 2013
The Jackson Generals saw a 3-0 lead disappear but put together a two-run top of the eighth inning to take Sunday night’s game from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-4 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Trailing 4-3 heading to the eighth inning, Jackson took advantage of some sloppy defense to take the lead. The Generals loaded the bases with nobody out with two singles and a sacrifice bunt with Leon Landry reaching on an error by first baseman Donald Lutz. Steven Proscia knotted the game at four with a sacrifice fly before the bases were reloaded with an intentional walk. Loek Van Mil struck out Ramon Morla but then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Landry to scamper home from third with the go-ahead run. Van Mil got John Hicks to fly out to end the threat.
Pensacola wasn’t able to muster a comeback in the final two innings and fell for the third consecutive game, thus losing the series to the Generals with a game still to be played.
The Wahoos offense looked much like it did in Saturday’s doubleheader, mustering just one hit through the first five innings. Jackson had built a 3-0 lead after five thanks to a Proscia solo homer in the second, a Ji-Man Choi single in the fourth and a Hicks sacrifice fly, also in the fourth.
Yorman Rodriguez sparked the Pensacola offense, though, with a one-out solo homer in the sixth against Jackson reliever Kyle Hunter. It was the first career Double-A home run for the 20-year old Rodriguez, and 10th this season combined between Bakersfield and Pensacola.
An inning later, the Wahoos rallied for three runs to take the lead. Matt Kennelly singled to lead off the frame, stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher Hicks. Ryan LaMarre singled him home to make it 3-2. Ray Chang and Brodie Greene followed with singles to load the bases. LaMarre then scampered home on a passed ball to knot the game at three before Devin Lohman reached on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop as Gabriel Noriega’s throw to the plate to try and get Chang was wide, giving the Wahoos a 4-3 advantage. Pensacola was unable to scratch across any more runs as Donald Lutz grounded into a double play two batters later.
Tyler Burgoon (4-2) picked up the win by getting the final two outs of the seventh inning and then retiring the side in the eighth inning for the Generals. Jackson starter James Gillheeney went two innings before exiting the game due to unknown circumstances. Carson Smith picked up his 10th save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.
Daniel Renken started for Pensacola and posted another quality start, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings. Wilkin De La Rosa (2-5) took the loss by allowing the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth. De La Rosa yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits in an inning plus three batters.
The series wraps up on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. Recently named All-Star Josh Smith (7-6, 3.47) will take the ball for Pensacola against Jackson’s Chance Ruffin (4-3, 3.66).
story by Kevin Burke
Hundreds Run, Walk Firecracker 5K (With Results)
July 7, 2013
About 1,000 runners and walkers took part in the annual Firecracker 5K Saturday morning to benefit Pensacola’s Ronald McDonald House.
Preregistration had already raised $38,000 for the RMH prior to the start gun, with last minute registrations and sale of items like $7 Ronald McDonald socks.
Overall male finishers for the 5K were 19-year old Ryan Larson of Pensacola with a time of 17:07, followed by A.J. Ricketts at 17:19 and Jared Moore at 18:09. Top female finisher was 16-year old Rachel Kling of Pace at 19:17, followed by Samantha Gardner at 19:36 at Karen Trittschuh at 20:43.
For complete Firecracker 5K Run results, click here (pdf).
For complete Firecracker 5K Walk results, click here (pdf).
Wahoos Shut Out in Doubleheader
July 7, 2013
The Jackson Generals pitching staff limited the Pensacola Blue ahoos to a combined three hits in Saturday’s doubleheader, winning game one 3-0 before swiping game two 5-0 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038, the 18th sellout of the season.
Jackson starter Roenis Elias shut down Pensacola’s offense in game one, limiting the Wahoos to two hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking just one. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning of the seven-inning contest before Travis Mattair led off the frame with a single. Elias improved to 5-7 with his 12th quality outing of the season.
The Generals provided all the offense they would need in the second inning against Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe. Jackson loaded the bases with nobody out against Crabbe and took a 1-0 lead on a John Hicks sacrifice fly. Denny Almonte followed with an RBI double before Gabriel Noriega made it 3-0 with another sacrifice fly to center.
Crabbe took the loss, falling to 3-7 by allowing three runs on four hits in five innings. Brian Pearl and Chris Manno tossed scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen.
Pensacola never put multiple runners on in any inning, and never had a runner move into scoring position. Carson Smith picked up his ninth save of the year with a 1-2-3 seventh.
The story was more of the same in Jackson’s 5-0 win in game two. The Generals jumped on top with two runs in the top of the first against Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick with RBI base knocks coming from Steven Proscia and Ramon Morla. An inning later, Jack Marder scored on a wild pitch to put Jackson on top 3-0.
In the fourth inning, the Generals added to their lead against Dennick. With the bases loaded and one out, Proscia brought home a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. Morla followed with a single to left that Donald Lutz mishandled, allowing Chris Taylor to come around and score the fifth run of the game.
Dennick dropped to 4-10 on the year while going a season-low four innings. The southpaw allowed five runs, four earned, on 10 hits with four strikeouts and a walk.
Anthony Vasquez dominated the Wahoos again, much like Elias in the first game. Vasquez carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Marquez Smith singled to break up the no-hit bid. Vasquez picked up his first win in three starts with the Generals, allowing just one hit in six innings.
Combined in 14 innings, the Wahoos offense managed just three hits, five walks and never had a runner move past first base.
The series continues with the fourth game of five on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Daniel Renken (2-6, 3.87) will toe the rubber for Pensacola against Jackson southpaw James Gilheeney (3-3, 3.63).
story by Kevin Burke
Tri-County 12U Team Wins State Championship, Headed To World Series
July 6, 2013
The Tri-County 12-U All Star softball team is headed to the World Series after winning the Alabama State Babe Ruth softball championship.
The girls beat Covington County 14-5, Flomaton/East Brewton 13-5, Opp 25-14 and Poarch Creek 2-1 to make the state championship game. They brought home the title by defeating Andalusia 14-2.
The World Series is in Alachua, FL, August 1-7. The “Tri-County 12U Softball/Alabama State Champs account” has been established at the Santa Rosa Federal Credit Union for donations to help the team cover tournament fees, hotels, travel and food.
Pictured: (front, L-R) Haylee Watson, Avarie Jackson, Kendall Barrow, Kassadi Borders, (middle) Kolbi Bray, Malarie Foster, Katlynn Hobbs, (back) Coach Stephen Jackson, Kennedy Cato, Olivia Cook, Alyssa Baxley, Manager Stuart Baxley and Coach Kavin Borders. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Molino Lady Astros Take On The Firecracker Classic
July 5, 2013
The 18U Molino Lady Astros finished as runner-ups recently in the Firecracker Softball Tournament at Pensacola’s Exchange Park.
Behind a strong offense and defense, the team held strong in throughout the tournament, despite a 2-1 loss to the Mississippi Ice in the finals. The 18U Lady Astros have made it to the finals the last three of four tournaments including a state championship.
The team is one more tournament away from the Southern Nationals in Mississippi.
Pictured: The Molino Lady Astros. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Beats Generals
July 5, 2013
Shaun Ellis dominated in his return to the rotation and the Blue Wahoos offense provided just enough support as Pensacola knocked off the Jackson Generals 2-1 on Thursday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium in front of the 17th sellout crowd of the season.
Played in a swift 1:56, Ellis combined with relievers Josh Ravin and Trevor Bell to stymie the Generals throughout the contest. Ellis (3-1) allowed just an unearned run on one hit over his career-high seven innings pitched, retiring the final 12 batters he faced and 21 of the 23 hitters overall. The lone run the Generals scored against Ellis came in the top of the fourth inning when Chris Taylor walked, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop Devin Lohman and scored on a groundout from Ramon Morla.
The Wahoos hurlers carried a one-hitter into the eighth, facing just two over the minimum before Taylor singled with two outs, snapping a streak of 17 straight set down. Bell struck out Julio Morban to end the contest and sew up his fourth save of the year.
Pensacola had its hands full with Jackson starter Anthony Fernandez through the first five innings, but broke through in the sixth. Lohman reached on a dropped third strike to spark the rally before Yorman Rodriguez doubled him home to knot the game at one. Two batters later, Marquez Smith singled to right-center, scoring Rodriguez and giving Pensacola a 2-1 lead.
Fernandez fell to 5-4 on the year despite allowing only two runs on five hits in seven innings.
The series continues on Friday night at 7 p.m. Pensacola will go with right-hander Tim Crabbe (3-6, 3.53) while Jackson will counter with southpaw Roenis Elias (4-7, 2.96).
story by Kevin Burke