Generals Top Wahoos 6-0
June 29, 2012
Jackson starting pitcher Anthony Fernandez fired his second complete game in as many starts at the Double-A level and gave up just two hits, while third baseman Nate Tenbrink and second baseman Stefen Romero each homered as the Generals topped the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6-0 in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Generals now own a 47-31 record this season, including a 5-3 mark in the second half, while the Fish have compiled a 38-39 clip, in addition to a 4-4 mark since the Southern League All-Star break. The capacity crowd was the 24th the Blue Wahoos have hosted in 2012 in their 37th home date.
The 22-year-old Fernandez (9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 8 SO) improved to 2-0 in his second career Double-A start, fanning eight batters while yielding just two hits and a walk in his nine solid frames. After giving up a ground-rule double to SS Didi Gregorius in the first frame, the southpaw allowed just two base runners from that point until the ninth inning, when 3B Miguel Rojas reached on an infield hit.
The lefty totaled 97 pitches in his gem, with 70 of those offerings strikes. In his Generals debut on June 23 against Huntsville, the left-hander earned the win after allowing only a lone earned run on just four hits in his complete game effort against the Stars.
Pensacola starter Kyle Lotzkar (4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 8 SO) suffered the defeat after surrendering six earned runs on seven hits, while punching out eight in 4.2 innings of work. Blue Wahoos relievers Drew Hayes (1.1 IP, 2 BB, 3 SO) and Wirfin Obispo (3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) were strong in support of Lotzkar, combining to yield just one hit in the final 4.1 shutout frames.
The Generals got all the scoring they would need in the third thanks to the longball. After SS Gabriel Noriega was hit by a pitch, Tenbrink followed with his two-run blast to left, his second homer of the season and series. The infielder in the first game of the series accumulated four hits, including a roundtripper to right.
Jackson would tally four more insurance runs in the fifth partly thanks to a second homer. DH Joe Dunigan and C Ralph Henriquez began the frame with back-to-back singles prior to an RBI single, which plated Dunigan to raise the margin to 3-0. Romero then followed with a three-run big fly to left that struck the foul pole to move the Generals ahead 6-0.
Pettit (2-5, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Henriquez (2-4, 1 R) each collected two base knocks for Jackson in the contest, while no Blue Wahoos batters tallied a multi-hit effort. Pensacola C Brian Peacock did not record a hit in the contest, snapping his ten-game hit streak that dated back to April 25. The stretch was paused twice due to stints with Triple-A Louisville.
With the Generals leading the series 2-1, the two teams will meet again Friday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is slated to take the mound for the Fish, while Jackson is expected to counter with RHP Brandon Maurer.
By Andrew Green
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Beat Jackson
June 28, 2012
Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Tony Cingrani struck out a franchise record 15 batters, including 10 of the first 11 hitters he faced, and did not allow a hit until the seventh in a dominating eight inning performance to lead Pensacola to a 5-0 shutout win over the Jackson Generals on Wednesday evening at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory evens the Fish’s record back to an even 38-38 record overall this year, in addition to a 4-3 mark in the second half. Jackson dropped to a 46-31 tally overall in 2012 and 4-3 in the second half.
The Blue Wahoos southpaw set the tone early on by striking out the side in order in the first, hinting at the gem that was to come. Cingrani also fanned the side in the third, in addition to punching out two opposing hitters in each of the second, fourth and sixth innings and was untouchable until the seventh inning when 3B Leury Bonilla ended the 22-year-old’s no-hit bid by lacing a hard single to left. Bonilla later in the frame would be caught attempting to steal second, as Cingrani faced the minimum through seven.
Cingrani (8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 15 SO) improved to 2-1 this year, and ended the night yielding just three hits and two walks in his eight frames, while reliever Curtis Partch (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) came on in relief to toss a scoreless ninth and preserve Pensacola’s seventh shutout win of the season. Generals starting pitcher Forrest Snow (4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-2 in 2012 after yielding two earned runs on three hits in his 4.2 innings pitched.
Pensacola struck early in the contest, plating a pair of tallies in the first. CF Ryan LaMarre led off with a single and then stole second before he was sent in on LF Josh Fellhauer’s RBI double to right to push ahead 1-0. Fellhauer would then move to third on a base knock by 1B Beau Mills being coming across on DH Yordanys Perez’s sacrifice fly to center to up the margin to two.
The Blue Wahoos would be held in check until the seventh, when the club doubled their advantage with a two-out rally. 2B Miguel Rojas began the scoring spurt with a single and subsequently scored on LaMarre’s triple to left-center, while LaMarre was plated two batters later on a run-scoring single from Fellhauer. A sacrifice fly from C Mark Fleury in the eighth provided the final insurances run of the evening for the Fish.
LaMarre (2-4, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 RBI) and Fellhauer (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI) each collected a pair of base hits for the Blue Wahoos in the victory, while no Generals hitters tallied a multi-hit effort.
With the series even at 1-1, Pensacola and Jackson are scheduled to meet again Thursday evening, with first pitch set for 7:05 pm at the bayfront stadium. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is slated to take the mound for the Blue Wahoos, while Jackson is expected to send LHP Anthony Fernandez to toe the rubber.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: ony Cingrani struck out a team-record 15 batters in the Fish’s 5-0 win Wednesday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment All Stars Win 14U Pony League Championship (With Photo Gallery)
June 27, 2012
The Cantonment All Stars won the 2012 14U Pony League championship Tuesday evening in Lillian, Ala.
Cantonment defeated Tiger Point 7-3 for the title and to remain undefeated in tournament play. Sunday, Cantonment beat Tiger Point 16-6, and beat Perdido 16-4. They opened tournament play last Thursday shutting out Gulf Breeze 22-0.
For a photo gallery from Tuesday’s action, click here.
Pictured: The Cantonment All Stars won the 2012 14U Pony League championship Tuesday evening in Lillian, Ala. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Generals Top Wahoos 4-2 In Series Opener
June 27, 2012
Generals third baseman Nate Tenbrink collected four hits, including a leadoff home run, while starting pitcher Steve Garrison allowed only a lone earned run in six innings of work, as Jackson defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 4-2 on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win improves the Generals’ record to 46-30 overall this year, as well as 4-2 in the second half, and gives Jackson a 1-0 lead in the series. The Fish fell to 37-38 overall in 2012, in addition to a 3-3 mark early on in the second half.
Jackson wasted no time getting the scoring started, with Tenbrink launching the second pitch of the game over the right field wall for his first homer of the year in Tenbrink’s fourth game of the season. The infielder began the year on the disabled list recovering from a fractured right elbow from last year.
Tenbrink would then have a hand in two of the final three scores for the Generals in the contest, scoring on a sacrifice fly after reaching on a base knock and stealing second in the third, while also driving in his second tally with a run-scoring single in the sixth. SS Leury Bonilla provided the first RBI hit in the sixth by lacing a single to left to plate C Jesus Sucre.
The Blue Wahoos answered two of Jackson’s scores with single tallies in the sixth and seventh frames. CF Ryan LaMarre reached base with a two-single and then moved to second on a walk, before he was sent in on 2B Brodie Greene’s single to center to make it 4-1.
Pensacola would narrow the margin to two in following frame after C Brian Peacock led off with a base hit, advanced to second on a passed ball and third on a groundout before coming home on a fielder’s choice. The hit for Peacock extended his hit streak to ten games, which dates back to April 25, with two stints with Triple-A Louisville pausing the stretch.
Besides Tenbrink (4-5, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI), 2B Stefen Romero (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and RF Kalian Sams (2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB) also tallied a multi-hit game for Jackson, while Peacock (2-4, 1 R) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to collect two or more hits. Peacock has now accumulated three two-hit games in a row for the Fish and is hitting .378 (14-37) in his last ten contests.
Generals starter Steve Garrison (6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) earned the win with a solid effort, yielding only a lone earned run on just four hits in six innings of work, while closer Carter Capps (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) notched his 12th save of the year after pitching a scoreless ninth. Pensacola starter Tim Crabbe (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss after allowing four runs, three of which were earned on eight hits in five frames.
The Blue Wahoos and Generals are scheduled to square off again Wednesday night, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. LHP Tony Cingrani is expected to get the nod for the Fish, while RHP Forrest Snow is slated to toe the rubber for Jackson.
As part of What’s Happening Wednesday at the stadium, the team doing a salute to summer, with activities including a fire truck parked outside to spray fans to help cool them off. Fans are also encouraged to help the Manna Food Pantry, which lost nearly all of its canned food inventory during the recent flooding, by brining canned food items to the game.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Brian Peacock extended his hit streak to 10 games in the Fish’s 4-2 loss Tuesday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Defeats Tri-County To Take 12U Title (With Other Tourney Scores)
June 26, 2012
Northwest Escambia slipped past Tri-County 9-8 Monday night to take the Cal Ripken 12U All Star District 7 Tournament in Atmore. With the win, NWE earned a spot in the state playoffs on July 6 in Alexander City, AL.
In other tournament action, Tri-County defeated Atmore 9-1 Friday night. Tri-County had 12 hits and no errors. Jackson Moore pitched a two-hitter, five inning game with six strikeouts and no walks. Nathan Archer closed it with three straight strikeouts to shut down Atmore.
On Saturday, Tri-County lost to NWE 5-2. Tri-County recorded five errors, and their only hits came late in the game in the fifth and sixth innings. Preston Milstead took the win for NWE, walking one and striking out five. NWE had seven hits with two errors. For Tri-County, Nathan Archer gave up four hits and struck out five, while Seth Killam allowed two hits and struck out three.
Pictured: The NWE 12U 2012 All Star team (front row) Dawson Brown, Jackson Bonner, Chase Gifford, Preston Milstead, Daniel Mascaro, Samuel Stott, Coach PJ Gifford, (second row) Adrian King, Beau Bryan, Jason Fischer, Trey Holder, Teddy Nelson, Jacob McCullough, (back row) Coach Jerry Fischer, Jr., Coach Gil Bonner. (Ramona Fischer photo). Pictured inset and below: NWE takes on Tri-County Monday afternoon in Atmore (Michelle Thomas photos). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Grad Jayce Boyd Signs With The NY Mets
June 26, 2012
Tate High School grad Jayce Boyd signed Monday evening with the New York Met’s Class A Brooklyn Cyclones.
Boyd, the sixth-round draft pick for the Mets, will receive a $150,000 bonus for the signing the contract at his family’s Cantonment home.
He is leaving the Florida State Seminoles early. For the Noles, he had a .349 career batting average, and a .395 this season.
Boyd was a four-sport star at Tate High School, playing four years of baseball and football, two years of basketball and a year of golf. He is the son of David and Cyndi Boyd.
Chattanooga Edges Blue Wahoos 3-2 In Series Finale
June 26, 2012
Chattanooga right fielder Blake Smith blasted what turned out to the game-winning home run in the fourth and also threw out a pair of Blue Wahoos base runners at the plate in the seventh, while Pensacola right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded four hits, as the Lookouts won the series finale 3-2 on Monday night at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Despite the loss, the Fish won the series thanks to their 8-7 series-clinching victory on Sunday afternoon, though Monday’s defeat drops their overall record this year to an even 37-37. The victory improved Chattanooga to a 34-39 record overall in 2012 and also snapped Pensacola’s three-game winning streak.
Chattanooga started the scoring in the second frame, plating a tally without recording a hit. SS Jake Lemmerman drew a two-out walk and then advanced to second and third on free passes, before coming across on a wild pitch to give the Lookouts the early 1-0 lead.
The Blue Wahoos would counter in the fourth to draw the game even at 1-1, when 1B Beau Mills reached base on a single and then was brought home on an RBI double to center by C Brian Peacock. The home team however, would then grab the lead back in the following frame with the longball. After CF Nick Buss drew a base-on-balls, Smith subsequently homered over the right-center field wall for his eighth big fly of the year.
Pensacola then narrowed the margin to one in the seventh, though they were left desiring more in the frame. Peacock began the inning with a base knock, moved all the way to third on an error and tagged up on LF Andrew Means’ fly ball to right, but was thrown out at the plate by the right fielder Smith to keep the Fish off the board at that time.
Fellhauer would follow with a single and pinch hitter Stephen Hunt drew a free pass before a base hit by CF Ryan LaMarre loaded the bases for SS Didi Gregorius, who drove a single to right to score Fellhauer. Hunt also tried to score on the play, but Smith again foiled the Blue Wahoos by throwing out Hunt at home for his second outfield assist of the inning.
It was the second time this month Fellhauer (4-4, 1 R, 1 2B) recorded four hits in a game, while Peacock (2-4, 1 RBI) and LaMarre (2-5) also recorded multi-hit efforts in the victory. Peacock extended his hitting streak with the Blue Wahoos to nine straight games dating back to April 25, which has been paused and then continued twice due to stints with Triple-A Louisville.
Chattanooga reliever Wes Roemer (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned the win after giving up just one earned run on three hits in his three frames, while Lookouts closer Steve Ames (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) notched his fifth save of the season. Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 8 BB, 7 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 5-5 in 2012 after struggling with his command at times, yielding eight walks along with three earned runs on two hits, though he did fan seven in the defeat.
The Blue Wahoos now return to Pensacola to host the Jackson Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, in their first homestand of the second half, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Generals are expected to send RHP Steve Garrison to the mound, while RHP Tim Crabbe is slated to toe the rubber for the Fish.
Wahoos Win Third Straight
June 25, 2012
The Blue Wahoos were playing from behind almost all game until Beau Mills blasted his second home run of the year, a three-run shot, in the top of the ninth to propel the Blue Wahoos to an 8-7 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Sunday afternoon.
Daniel Corcino labored through four innings in his no-hit encore. The right-handed prospect walked three in the first inning and dropped a throw back to him after his third walk of the inning which allowed Rafael Ynoa to score the Lookouts first run of the game. He surrendered two more runs in the fourth on a two-run double to Ynoa which gave Chattanooga a 3-0 advantage. Corcino was done after four laborious innings in which he walked six batters and hit one. Despite his control issues, he didn’t allow his first hit until two were out in the fourth. He only gave up two hits for the game, the same number of strikeouts he had on the afternoon.
Pensacola rallied to tie the game in the sixth inning. Brodie Greene sparked the comeback with a leadoff double. He scored later in the inning with David Vidal on a Beau Mills ground-rule double. Brian Peacock scored the third and game-tying run on a wild pitch.
The Lookouts were quick to answer with four runs off the Blue Wahoos bullpen in the bottom of the sixth to go back in front with their biggest lead of the game, 7-3. Pensacola started another comeback in the seventh with a pair of runs to pull back within two.
In the ninth, it was again Greene with a leadoff hit to ignite another rally. Two batters later, Peacock collected his second hit of the game to put runners on the corners for Mills. Already with an extra-base hit and two RBI, Mills blasted a three-run homer over the right field wall for what proved to be the game winning home run. The 8-7 advantage was the first lead of the game for Pensacola.
Justin Freeman (4) came in and slammed the door in the ninth to lock down the win for Pensacola and earn his fourth save of the season. Chris Manno (1-1) picked up his first win of the season after working a scoreless eighth inning. Logan Bawcom (2-3) gave up the three ninth inning runs and was charged with the loss.
Mills finished the game 2-for-4, and his five RBI game is a new Blue Wahoos record. Greene finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Didi Gregorius (2-for-5, R), Peacock (2-for-4, 2 R, RBI) and P.J. Phillips (2-for-5) also contributed two hit games.
The Wahoos already own a series win, but look to make it four-straight on Monday night. The Blue Wahoos will send RHP J.C. Sulbaran (5-4, 4.25) to the mound against LHP Chris Reed (0-0, 2.00). First pitch is set for 6:15.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: Brodie Greene scored three runs as part of his 3-for-4 day for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Watson Selected For All-State Baseball Team
June 24, 2012
Zackary Watson of Century was selected for the ASWA Alabama All-State baseball team for Class 2A.
He finished his senior year at Flomaton High School with a 10-2 record, three saves, and he led the state in innings pitched with 95.1 innings. He had 122 strikeouts, 15 walks, and had an ERA of 0.73.
For his senior season he had back-to-back no hitters, six shutouts, and 10 complete games. He is still undecided where is attending college.
Pictured: Zackary Watson. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Get 6-4 Win
June 24, 2012
Yordanys Perez delivered the hit of the game with a bases-clearing double in the top of the fifth which gave Pensacola their first lead of the game on their way to a 6-4 win over the Chattanooga Lookouts at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, TN, on Saturday night. Blue Wahoos starter Kyle Lotzkar labored through the first two innings before getting back on track to work five innings and qualify for the win.
The Lookouts got to the Blue Wahoos starter early. Rafael Ynoa led off the bottom of the first with a base hit. He then stole second and later scored with one out on a double from J.T. Wise. A batter later, Brahiam Maldonado hit his third home run of the year to put the Lookouts ahead 3-0.
After Beau Mills singled home Josh Fellhauer in the fourth, the Lookouts quickly answered back with a run in the bottom of the inning to push their lead back to three.
The Wahoos turned the game around in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Perez drove a ball to the right-center field gap clearing the bases and putting the Wahoos in front for the first time 5-4. Perez tried to stretch his double into a triple but was thrown out at third for the second out of the inning. The next batter, Mills, blasted his first home run of the season for Pensacola making it 6-4 and that’s how it ended.
Mills finished with a 3-for-4 game including a home run, two RBI and a run scored in his Blue Wahoos debut. Perez (2-for4, 3 RBI) and Fellhauer (2-for-5, 2 R, RBI) each contributed with multi-hit games also.
Lotzkar ended up with the win after allowing all four Lookouts runs on five hits over five innings. The right-hander also fanned seven batters with four walks. Drew Hayes and Curtis Partch each worked a pair of scoreless innings to close it out. Partch finished it off over the last two innings to earn his third save of the season. The Wahoos did all their damage against Chattanooga starter Matt Magill. He was saddled with the loss after getting tagged for six runs on nine hits over five innings.
The series continues on Sunday when the Blue Wahoos send RHP Daniel Corcino (3-4, 3.34) to the mound against LHP Aaron Miller (4-4, 4.12). First pitch is set for 1:15 p.m.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: Yordanys Perez delivered the game-winning hit in the fifth inning for Pensacola Saturday night in Chattanooga. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.