District Losses For Northview, Tate
April 26, 2013
Both Northview and Tate came up short Thursday night in their homes for district championships, but both teams are still alive headed into the district semis as runner-ups.
District Finals Class 6A
The Tate Aggies had a taste of playing as the visiting team on their own field as the No. 2 sees as they faced the Pace Patriots in the District 1-6A title game.
The Aggies were first on the scoreboard with a base hit from David Moorhead that sent JT Granat in to score for a 1-0 Aggie lead. The Aggies stole home to make it all tied up 1-1 in the second.
The Patriots took at 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth and held on, as Pace beat Tate 2-1 for the tourney title.
Also Thursday night, Crestview beat Mosley 3-2.
It will be Tate at Crestview and Mosley at Pace when the regional tournament gets underway
District Finals Class 1A
In the Class 1A title games, the Northview Chiefs lost to Holmes County Bonifay 3-0 and Paxton beat Central 3-0. When the 1A regional semifinals get underway on May 7, Northview will travel to Paxton, and Central will travel to Bonifay to face Holmes County.
Five-Run Seventh Pushes Pensacola’s Wahoos Past Jackson
April 25, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos broke open a 3-3 tie with a five-run seventh against the Jackson bullpen and went on beat the Generals 8-4 on Wednesday afternoon. The win gave Pensacola its second series victory of the season, but just its first since the opening homestand against Tennessee.
The Wahoos used a balanced attack to batter a beleaguered Jackson pitching staff. Eight of the nine Pensacola starters recorded at least one base knock with three players driving in multiple runs.
Theo Bowe started the decisive seventh inning with a one-out double, his second of the game, and came around to score the go-ahead run on a Brodie Greene single. Donald Lutz then provided the biggest blow of the frame with a two-run triple to center to open up a three-run cushion. Steve Selsky added an RBI single and scored the final run of the inning on a wild pitch.
It was Pensacola’s second big inning of the game as the Wahoos erased an early 2-0 deficit with a three-run third, thanks in part to two Jackson errors. The Wahoos got an RBI single from Ryan LaMarre, a bases-loaded walk from Greene and a sac fly from Selsky to take a 3-2 lead.
Jackson tied the game at three with a Steven Proscia solo homer in the sixth off Chad Rogers, but the Wahoos immediately responded with the five-run seventh to take the lead for good.
Rogers earned his second win of the season by going seven strong frames, yielding three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out five.
Moises Hernandez took his second loss of the series for the Generals as he gave up four runs in just one-third of an inning. Starter James Gillheeney went six innings for Jackson and gave up three runs (one earned) on three hits before departing with the game tied.
Now halfway through their 10-game road trip, the Blue Wahoos trek across the state of Tennessee to open a five-game series with the Tennessee Smokies tomorrow night. Ryan Dennick (1-0, 2.65) will start for the Wahoos against Tennessee righty Dallas Beeler (1-2, 4.07). First pitch from Smokies Park is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
District Baseball Roundup: Wins For Northview, Tate; Loss For WFHS
April 24, 2013
Here’s a look at district baseball playoff scores from across the area Tuesday:
In District 2-1A tournament action at Baker, the Northview Chiefs defeated Freeport 4-2, and Bonifay downed Baker 4-0. No 1. seed Bonifay will face No 1. Northview Thursday for the district championship.
In District 1-6A play at Tate, the Tate Aggies beat Pine Forest 4-2, and Pace downed Washington 6-5 in eight innings. Pace will play Navarre at 4 p.m. today, and Tate will play Escambia at 7 p.m. in the District 1-6A semifinals.
And in District 1-5A, No. 2 seed West Florida fell to Gulf Breeze 8-4, and Rutherford slammed Arnold 10-0. No. 1 seed Rutherford will play No. 3 Gulf Breeze on Thursday at Arnold.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Jay Out Of District Baseball Tourney, Northview Faces Freeport Today
April 23, 2013
The District 2-1A baseball tournament got underway Monday in Baker, with Jay and Chipley eliminated.
No. 6 seed Freeport beat the No. 3 Jay Royals Monday, 8-5. Freeport will face the No. 2 seed Northview Chiefs at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
No. 5 Baker beat Chipley 7-3 on Monday, with Baker set to face No. 1 Bonifay at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Northescambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Senate Advances Bill That Sunsets And Abolishes FHSAA
April 23, 2013
Proponents of the Florida High School Athletic Association are on their defensive heels as those trying to revamp how high school sports are managed in Florida are driving with the ball as the clock runs down.
The Senate Education Committee voted 5-2 on Monday in favor of a measure (SB 1164) that would overhaul the FHSAA and eventually replace it with something else yet to be designed. The Senate bill was amended Monday to match the House version of the legislation, improving chances for passage.
The amended bill places new restrictions on investigations, alters the makeup of the FHSAA board of directors by including charter school, home school and non-public school members and abolishes the organization in July 2017.
Backers of the change say the reorganization is needed, claiming the FHSAA has an arbitrary authority and that it has gone too far in investigating student eligibility.
Bill sponsor Sen. Kelli Stargel addressed criticism that the bill, in reducing oversight, invites mischief.
“This bill does not allow free agency, does not allow recruiting, it doesn’t not legislate cheating,” said Stargel, R-Lakeland.
FHSAA supporters, including many coaches, school district officials and private school administrators, claim the changes will create “chaos” as some schools become sports magnets. They say it will invite frequent transfers, and force administrators and teachers to continually readjust academic plans for students who jump campus to campus.
The committee support was the first step in the Senate for the bill.
The Senate proposal has one more committee stop and Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said Monday he expects his Rules Committee will have time to meet again.
Meanwhile, the House is expected to discuss its proposal on Tuesday.
The House version, rushed through three committee appearances with no opposition, has backing from Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, the chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee.
Backers of the FHSAA say the proposal will also make it more difficult for small schools to compete in state athletic tournaments as more reliance is put on each of the 67 school districts to self-regulate their athletic programs.
“When we put a team on the field we know the other team has followed the same rules and regulations,” said Alachua County Superintendent Dan Boyd. “We don’t’ want that to change.”
Critics also say lawmakers are setting a dangerous precedent by delving into the daily operations of a non-profit organization.
“How long is it before you decide you don’t like the way other entities are operating?” asked Ron Meyer, a lawyer for the Florida Education Association.
Stargel argued that the Legislature isn’t overstepping its authority.
“They are the monopoly,” Stargel said. “We designate them as the organization that oversees our high school athletics, many of our public school funds go to the organization, so therefore I believe we have a role.”
She added that the FHSAA could continue as the overseer of state high school athletics after the sunset date if it agrees to abide by the directives of the Legislature.
“I don’t want to take over high school athletics, that’s not our role, but I want them to be accountable to the will of the Legislature and the will of the people,” she said.
Pictured top: The coin toss before the FHSAA District 1A Football Championship game last December in Orlando between Northview and Trenton. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
AND1 Live Streetball Tour, Basketball Clinic At Northview
April 22, 2013
Two big basketball events are coming to Northview High School Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the AND1 Streetball Tour 2013 will tip off in the Northview gym. Doors open at 6 p.m., with game time at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance (available at the school), or $12 at the door. Details are in the graphic to the left of the page.
On Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Northview basketball will hold a clinic for elementary to high school players. Players will get training from the Northview Chief’s varsity basketball team and coaches. All aspects of the game will be covered. The clinic is $20 per player. For details and registration information, click here (pdf).
Generals Draw Even In Series With 7-3 Win Over Wahoos
April 22, 2013
Despite a two-run homer by Donald Lutz, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell short against the Jackson Generals 7-3 on Sunday night at the Ballpark in Jackson.
The Generals scored four runs in the first inning against Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Renken. Each of the first four Jackson batters reached against him, and all came home to score in the inning. After that, Renken settled down and retired nine in a row before the Generals got to him for two more on a two-run home run by Abraham Almonte in the fourth inning.
Pensacola never got closer the two runs behind after the home run by Lutz, despite scoring an additional run in the fifth.
Renken (1-1) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings. Jackson starter Brett Shankin earned the win after giving up three runs on five hits over six innings.
Lutz led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with his 2-for-4 game. Theo Bowe also broke out with a 2-for-4 contest. The two hits were his first two of the season.
The two teams will continue the series on Monday night. RHP Josh Smith (1-2, 10.97) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals LHP Roenis Elias (0-1, 3.06). First pitch is set for 7:05 at the Ballpark in Jackson.
story by Kevin Burke
Century Man Runs 9/11 Memorial 5K In New York City
April 22, 2013
Runners from across the world — including one local man — honored the Boston Marathon victims while remembering the tragedy of 9/11 during a 5K run Sunday in New York City.
Jerry Sanders of Century joined about 3,000 runners and walkers in the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk, a untimed fundraiser for the yet to be opened 9/11 Memorial Museum. The event started at Pier 57 and continued 3.1 miles to the World Trade Center.
But the finish line was not the end of the race for Sanders.
“I could not stop,” Sanders said in an email Sunday evening. “Completed the 5K then walked around the city for over 4 hours waving my flag and meeting people. I (my flag) sure was popular! I could not count the people that wanted their pic taken with me.”
Along the way, someone noticed Sander’s “Marines” hat, confirmed that he was a Marine, and led the crowd in the Marine Corp Hymn.
“They sang while I choked back tears, as I was fighting tears from the start,” he said. “Such great people New Yorkers.”
At the finish, a lady approached Sanders and asked why he was carrying the flag, and he explained it was memory of the 9/11 victims and their families. She said her husband had been killed in the North Tower collapse. She asked Sanders if he would meet her husband, and he accompanied her to the site of the north tower where she pointed out her husband’s name on the memorial, rubbing her hand across his name.
“That did it for me,” Sanders said. “I could not talk, only hug her.”
“Words just won’t do,” he said, calling the day an experience of a lifetime.
Pictured: Jerry Sanders of Century carried his American flag as he completed the 9/11 Memorial 5K run and walk Sunday in New York Century. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Elliott, Kyles Place In State Weightlifting Meet
April 21, 2013
Northview’s Arkelle Elliott and LaMikal Kyles placed in the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday.
Kyles finished eighth in the state in the 183-pound class with a total of 560 pounds, an improvement over his 535 pound total at regionals. Kyles, weighing in at 172.5 pounds, had a bench press of 310 pounds and a clean jerk of 250 pounds — all personals bests.
In the 199-pound class, Elliot finished 11th in the state with a total of 575 pounds. Weighing in at 198.9 pounds, Elliot had a best bench press of 330 pounds and a clean jerk of 245 pounds — all matching his personal best records.
Also in the 199-pound class, Justin Beauford of West Florida High School placed seventh with a total weight of 600 pounds.
Pictured: LaMikal Kyles and Arkelle Elliot at the 1A State Weightlifting Meet in Kissimmee on Saturday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 4-3 In 11 To Open Jackson Series
April 21, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos opened their 10-game roadtrip with an 11-inning 4-3 win over the Jackson Generals at the Ballpark in Jackson in Jackson, Tenn. on Saturday night. Wahoos shortstop Devin Lohman drove in all four runs in the winning effort including a two-run homer, his first of the year, in the seventh inning.
Pensacola struck first when Ryan LaMarre scored from third on a bases loaded walk to Lohman by Generals Starter Taijuan Walker. That was the final run the Wahoos would scratch across against the Jackson ace. The Blue Wahoos only got two more baserunners against Walker, both were scattered walks.
Blue Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick held the Generals at bay until they broke through against him with three straight hits in the fourth. James Jones started the rally with a solo homer with one out before John Hicks doubled. Vannie Catricala brought Hicks home a batter later with a single off the left field wall to put the Generals in front 2-1. It stayed that way until Lohman’s two-run homer in the seventh off Jackson reliever Forrest Snow.
Jackson drew even in the bottom of the seventh when Abraham Almonte scored on an infield single by Francisco Martinez.
Both teams traded zeros into the 11th inning until the Wahoos cashed in on a leadoff walk to Donald Lutz. After he was singled around to third by Bryson Smith, Lohman drove him in for the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice to the third baseman Catricala.
After striking out the side in order in the 10th, Lee Hyde (1-2) retired the Generals in order again in the bottom of the 11th to seal the win for Pensacola. Though he didn’t factor into the decision, Dennick worked six strong innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits while striking out eight. For Jackson, Walker took a no-decision after allowing just the one unearned run over six innings. He fanned six for the game and surrendered only one hit. Moises Hernandez (0-1) took the loss after giving up the winning run in the 11th. It was the sole run he allowed over two innings.
The Wahoos and Generals continue the series on Sunday from the Ballpark in Jackson. RHP Daniel Renken (1-0, 0.71) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Generals RHP Brett Shankin (0-0, 1.50). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
Story by Kevin Burke
File photo by Gary McCraken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.