Braves Reclaim First With Two Wins Over Pensacola’s Wahoos
June 11, 2013
The Blue Wahoos nearly prevented the Braves from reclaiming the top spot in the Southern League South Division on two separate occasions on Monday, but the resilient Braves battled back in both games to walk-off with a 7-5 win in the conclusion of Sunday’s game and a 3-1 win in the second game.
Sunday’s game was resumed with Pensacola leading 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Braves quickly plated a two-out run when the game resumed and scored another in the bottom of the eighth to cut the Wahoos lead to two. Theo Bowe provided an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, his second of the road trip and his third of the season, to make it a 5-2 Wahoos advantage.
The Braves exploded offensively in the bottom of the ninth against Blue Wahoos reliever Loek Van Mil. A hit by pitch and single started the inning, before Mycal Jones unloaded a pinch-hit three-run home run to tie the score at 5-5. With two outs, Kyle Russell walked before Christian Marrerro belted a game-winning two-run home run to straight away centerfield giving the Braves a 7-5 win.
In game two and the game scoreless, the Blue Wahoos used an error to allow Joe Mather to reach and advance to second opening the sixth inning. Tucker Barnhart quickly followed with a double to the right field corner which plated Mather for the game’s first run. The Braves countered with a run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at one. Dan Brewer drew a one-out walk from Shaun Ellis and scored on a base-hit from Christian Bethancourt off Brian Pearl to make it a 1-1 game. The run was charged to Ellis and was the only run the Wahoos spot starter was tagged with over 5.1 innings.
Both teams were retired in order in the seventh inning to force extras. Pensacola threatened in the top of the eighth but were held scoreless. The Braves struck again in the bottom of the eighth. After an error at shortstop loaded the bases with only one out, Christian Bethancourt hit a ground rule double plating two runs to give Mississippi their second walk-off win of the night.
Despite a win by Mobile, the Braves have reclaimed sole possession of first place in the Southern League South Division by a half-game. Pensacola will try to knock the Braves out of first in the series finale on Tuesday. The Wahoos will turn to RHP Josh Smith (5-5, 3.50) while the Braves counter with RHP Aaron Northcraft (2-4, 4.58). First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke
Support The Chiefs: Join The Northview Quarterback Club
June 10, 2013
The Northview High School Quarterback Club is gearing up to prepare to support another season of Chiefs football.
The QB club depleted most of its funds helping the Chiefs get to Orlando for their state championship win, and the group is already working hard to get ready for this season. Thousands of dollars were spent on items such as charter buses for the players, pre-game and post-game meals, concession stand operation, spirit items, fireworks, programs and more.
Families can support the Chiefs by joining the Quarterback Club for just $10 per family per year. All of the proceeds go directly to help the school, the football program and the students.
The next meeting of the Northview High School Quarterback Club is Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Northview Media Center. Everyone is welcome.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos, Braves Suspended With Wahoos Up 4-0
June 10, 2013
With the Blue Wahoos leading the Mississippi Braves 4-0 in the middle of the fourth inning, the umpires delayed the game for a second time because of rain. Eventually, the game was suspended and will be finished as part of a doubleheader on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Trustmark Park.
Ray Chang got the Blue Wahoos on the board with a three-run home run in the top of the first inning with two outs. Pensacola added another run when Corey Wimberly singled home Brodie Greene from third in the second inning. The game was delayed following that at bat for one hour and 30 minutes. When the game resumed the teams made it through the top of the fourth before getting delayed for a final time.
The two teams will complete the nine-inning resumption of Sunday’s suspended contest and follow it up with a seven inning game approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. RHP Drew Hayes will pitch the completion of Sunday’s game, and Shaun Ellis will start game two for the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos are trying to de-rail the Braves’ chance at a first-half division title. After Pensacola’s win over the Braves on Saturday night, Mississippi finds themselves a half-game behind the Mobile BayBears who lost on Sunday night in extra innings to the Tennessee Smokies.
Pictured: Rain suspended the Blue Wahoos game against the Mississippi Braves Sunday night in Pearl, MS. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Ball: Gators Over Chiefs; Northview Beats Catholic
June 9, 2013
During the second day of a Catholic High School Summer Ball Tournament Saturday, Northview lost a couple to the Escambia Gators and the Chiefs beat Catholic.
Northview’s Team B lost to the Escambia Gators, 8-2. The Chiefs’ Team A also lost to the Escambia Gators, 5-1. And the Northview Chiefs Team A beat the Catholic Crusaders, 6-5.
Here is a look a scores and the remainder of the tournament schedule for Northview:
A Team
Saturday June 8 — Escambia 5, Northview 1
Saturday June 8 — Northview 6, Catholic 5
Sunday June 9 11:30 Navarre vs Northview @ Catholic
Sunday June 9 2:00 Northview vs Pace @ Catholic
B Team
Friday June 7 — Catholic 14 Northview 3
Saturday June 8 — Escambia 8, Northview 2
Sunday June 9 2:00 Northview vs Mosley @ Escambia
Sunday June 9 4:30 Navarre vs Northview @Escambia
Pictured: Northview High School Summer Ball action from Saturday. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Baseball: Catholic Downs Northview
June 8, 2013
During game one of a Catholic Summer Ball Tournament Friday, the Catholic Crusaders “B” team beat the Northview Chiefs “B” team 14-3.
Here is the remainder of the tournament scheduled for Northview:
A Team
Saturday June 8 11:30 a.m. Northview at Escambia @Escambia
Saturday June 8 7:00 Catholic vs Northview @ Catholic
Sunday June 9 11:30 Navarre vs Northview @ Catholic
Sunday June 9 2:00 Northview vs Pace @ Catholic
B Team
Friday June 7 — Catholic 14 Northview 3
Saturday June 8 9:00 Escambia vs Northview @ Escambia
Sunday June 9 2:00 Northview vs Mosley @ Escambia
Sunday June 9 4:30 Navarre vs Northview @Escambia
NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Pick Up Doubleheader Sweep Over Biscuits
June 7, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos picked up their first doubleheader sweep of the season, knocking off the Montgomery Biscuits 2-1 in the first game before winning a wild one, 6-5, in the nightcap. The two wins earned Pensacola its first road series win since taking a series in Jackson from April 20-24.
Pensacola picked up the win in game one thanks to Travis Mattair. Entering the sixth inning down 1-0, Mattair laced a two-run single through the left side with two outs to put Pensacola up 2-1. The hit made a winner of Josh Smith (W, 5-5) who went five innings and allowed just an unearned run.
Lee Hyde and Loek Van Mil pitched the final two frames out of the bullpen to hold down the win. Van Mil picked up his fourth save of the season.
Game two was a much different story as both offenses erupted and battled back and forth throughout the contest.
Pensacola jumped on top in the first inning thanks to an RBI double from Ryan LaMarre, who then came around to score on an error by third baseman Steven Tinoco. The lead didn’t last long though, as the Biscuits battled back with three runs to take a 3-2 lead after one.
In the second, Theo Bowe tied the game with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, but Pensacola was unable to take the lead, stranding the other two runners.
An inning later, Montgomery retook the lead against Wahoos starter Shaun Ellis with an RBI single from Keith Castillo. Ellis battled through 2.1 innings in his second spot start of the year, yielding four runs on six hits.
Not to be denied, Pensacola jumped back in front in the fifth inning. With runners at first and second with nobody out, Mattair popped into a peculiar 1-5-4 double play on a bunt attempt, but Tucker Barnhart doubled to keep the inning alive. Ray Chang followed with a two-run single in the fifth to push Pensacola back in front 5-4.
The lead was short-lived again, though, as Kyeong Kang launched a solo homer with an out in the fifth off Wahoos reliever Chris Manno to knot the game at five.
The game didn’t remain tied for long as in the top of the sixth, Bowe turned on inside fastball from Erik Hamren (L, 0-1) and sent it over the wall in right for his second blast of the season. Bowe went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBI in game two and set the stage for Hyde. Making his second appearance of the day, Hyde worked around a pair of singles in two innings to pick up his second save of the year.
Manno (W, 2-1) picked up the win with an inning of relief, allowing a run on two hits while striking out the side.
The Blue Wahoos, having won consecutive games for the first time since May13-15, now continue their 10-game road trip with the first of five against the Mississippi Braves on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Tim Crabbe (2-5, 3.64) gets the start for Pensacola against Mississippi’s Cody Martin (2-3, 3.07).
story by Kevin Burke
Bell, Thompson Named AISA All-Stars
June 6, 2013
Reid Bell and Michael Thompson of Escambia Academy were selected to play in this week’s AISA All-Star game in Montgomery. It was the second year the pair was selected. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Summer Baseball: Tate Takes On Northview
June 5, 2013
Summer ball got underway Tuesday for the Tate Aggies and the Northview Chiefs.
Tate’s team “A” defeated Northview’s team “A” at the University of West Florida. And in Bratt, team “B” from Northview and Tate faced off in a double header modified by a rain delay. The Aggies came out on top over the Chiefs, 9-2 and 6-3.
Pictured: Tate visited Northview for a rain delayed double header Tuesday in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Edge Wahoos 9-7
June 4, 2013
The Montgomery Biscuits scored three runs in the eighth to put the Blue Wahoos away in an eventual 9-7 win over Pensacola to even the five-game series at a game apiece at Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium.
Pensacola used five Biscuits errors to score in four separate innings. The Blue Wahoos claimed an early lead with a pair of first-inning runs, but the Biscuits countered with two of their own. After Pensacola claimed another brief lead with run in the top of the third, the Biscuits responded with four in the bottom of the fame to take the lead for good.
The Blue Wahoos scratched across another run in the fourth, but the game remained 6-4, until the Biscuits opened up a 9-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth. Wahoos starter Ryan Dennick (2-6) was charged with the loss after allowing all nine Montgomery runs, eight were earned, in the longest start by a Pensacola pitcher this season. He recorded one out in the eighth, but left with the bases loaded, and all three came home against reliever Josh Ravin. The eight runs allowed by Dennick were a season high.
The Blue Wahoos added some suspense with three runs in the top of the ninth after a pair of Biscuits errors extended the inning. Pensacola got the tying run to the plate but couldn’t get the game evened up. David Vidal led the Wahoos offensively with a 2-for-3 game. He added a walk, an RBI and run scored. Devin Lohman also had a two-hit game with a run scored.
Cameron Seitzer did a majority of the damage for the Biscuits with a 3-for-4 night with two runs scored and three RBI. His two-run double in the third inning was the hit that put the Biscuits ahead, and his single in the eighth started the Montgomery rally that led to their three late insurance runs.
Biscuits starter Jake Thompson got the win after allowing four runs, two earned, in 5.1 innings. He walked five and struck out five. C.J. Riefenhauser earned a two inning save despite allowing three runs in the ninth. All three runs he allowed were unearned. Of the Wahoos seven runs scored against Biscuits pitching, only two were earned. The seven runs were the most they have scored in a loss this season.
The series continues on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Pensacola will turn to RHP Daniel Renken (1-4, 3.77) against Biscuits RHP Merrill Kelly (4-5, 3.73). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.
Wahoos Erupt For Record 11-4 Win Over Montgomery
June 3, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos erupted on offense for a team record 11 runs in an 11-4 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday night at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery, Ala.
Pensacola claimed the initial lead in the second inning on a solo home run by Travis Mattair, his sixth of the season. Brodie Greene doubled home David Vidal later in the inning before Devin Lohman scored on a Danny Vicioso single. The Blue Wahoos added to their lead with a pair of runs in the third on an RBI double from Lohman and a wild pitch.
The Biscuits plated a pair of runs in the third against Wahoo starter Chad Rogers and added another in the fourth on a solo home run by Keith Castillo, who ended up finishing the night a triple shy of the cycle. Rogers left the game early with an undisclosed injury in the fourth inning with one out. He was charged with three runs on three hits in the no-decision.
Already leading 5-3, the Wahoos exploded for six runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Pensacola sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning and tallied six hits. Ryan LaMarre, David Vidal and Devin Lohman all had RBI hits in the inning before Danny Vicioso capped it with a two-run homer to left, his first of the season.
Shaun Ellis, Brian Pearl and Chris Manno combined to finish the final 5.2 innings. The only run the trio allowed was a mop-up unearned run in the ninth. Ellis (1-1) earned the win after working 2.2 scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and struck out one. Biscuits starter Jake Floethe (0-1) took the loss in his Double-A debut. He was charged with the first five runs on five hits over four innings.
Vicioso led the way offensively with a 3-for-5 game and three RBI. Vidal, Lohman and Greene each added two-hit games to spark the offense.
Pensacola looks to continue the momentum in the second game of the five-game set on Monday. The Wahoos will turn to LHP Ryan Dennick (2-5, 2.57) against Montgomery RHP Jacob Thompson (4-5, 5.47). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from Riverwalk Stadium.
story by Kevin Burke