Softball: Northview Beats Washington
April 10, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs defeated Washington High School Monday evening in Pensacola, 7-1.
The Lady Chiefs will play their last home games of the regular season on Tuesday, with the JV at 4:00 and the varsity at 6:00. On Thursday, the varsity will travel to Escambia Academy in Canoe, Ala., for their last regular season game at 3:30.
Pensacola Tops Biscuits 6-5
April 10, 2012
Blue Wahoos first baseman Mike Costanzo hit a third-inning grand slam off the right field video board, while right fielder Josh Fellhauer hit an eighth inning RBI single to give Pensacola a 6-5 victory over the Montgomery Biscuits in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Monday night at Pensacola’s bay-front stadium. The crowd was the fifth straight sell-out to start the season.
The win gave the Blue Wahoos a 4-1 series win over the Biscuits to cap the opening homestand of their inaugural season.
With the game tied at 5-5 in the eighth, left fielder Cody Puckett singled to left with two outs and then stole second to set the stage for Fellhauer. The 23-year-old lined a 3-1 pitch into left to bring home Puckett for what turned out to be the difference.
After Pensacola center fielder Ryan LaMarre led off the third with a walk, shortstop Didi Rodriguez and designated hitter Joel Guzman singled to load the bases for Costanzo, who launched a 1-0 pitch in the right field scoreboard to make it 4-1. It was the first home run of the year for Costanzo and his first grand slam since April 11, 2011, when he did so for the Carolina Mudcats against the Mobile BayBears.
Montgomery made things interesting with a pair of solo home runs from right fielder Henry Wrigley, while designated hitter Cole Figueroa blasted his second roundtripper of the year in the sixth. It was Wrigley’s first multi-homer game since July 7, 2010, when he launched two longballs for the Biscuits versus Mobile.
Blue Wahoos reliever Justin Freeman (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned the victory in relief after allowing an earned run on two hits in his two frames, while Biscuits RHP Jim Paduch (2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss after giving up a run on two hits in the final 2.1 innings. LHP Clayton Tanner (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) finished off the game for Pensacola to notch his first save of the season.
Catcher Mark Fleury (2-4, 1 2B), along with Gregorius (2-4, 1 R), Rodriguez (2-4) and Puckett (2-3, 1 R, 1BB) all tallied multi-hit efforts for the Blue Wahoos, while Figueroa and Wrigley recorded two hits for the Biscuits.
The Blue Wahoos will now travel on the road for the first time this season, with a five-game series with the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, at Hank Aaron Stadium. First pitch for the series opener Tuesday night is set for 7:05 pm, with RHP Pedro Villarreal getting the nod for Pensacola. He is scheduled to be opposed by top prospect RHP Trevor Bauer.
By Andrew Green
Pictured top: Mike Costanzo hit a grand slam for the Wahoos Tuesday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Drop Biscuits 7-5
April 9, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos went ahead on a two-run homer by Joel Guzman in the third inning and never looked back on their way to a 7-5 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday afternoon in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038.
Already leading 3-1, Pensacola blew the game open with a four-run seventh inning. The big blow was a bases-clearing three-run double by left fielder Cody Puckett to put the Wahoos in front by six. The Biscuits made things interesting with three unearned runs in the eighth. All three runs scored after a Blue Wahoos fielding miscue extended the inning. They added another in the ninth, but center fielder Brad Coon grounded out to first baseman Mike Costanzo to end the game with the tying run on base.
Guzman and Puckett each led the way offensively with a pair of hits. Puckett chipped in three RBIs while Guzman contributed two. Tim Gustafson (1-0, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER) picked up with win out of the bullpen while Donnie Joseph (.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K) notched his second save. Montgomery starter Joe Cruz (3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) was saddled with the loss.
The two teams conclude the series on Monday when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran to the mound opposite Biscuit righty Jacob Thompson. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. in Pensacola.
By Tommy Thrall for NorthEscambia.com
Cody Puckett’s three run double was part of a four-run seventh in Pensacola’s 7-5 win over the Montgomery Biscuits on Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats Freeport 9-1
April 8, 2012
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Freeport Bulldogs 9-1 Saturday morning at Freeport in varsity baseball action.
Northview scored one each in the first and second, four in the sixth, and three in the ninth to pick up the win.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Brian Ross, 3 for 4 with two runs scored, and an RBI. Hunter Rigby went 2 for 4, with two runs scored, and two RBI. Zach Barrow was 1 for 4, and scored a run. Kevin Vaughan had four stolen bases and scored two runs. Winston Riley had two hits for the Chiefs, with two runs scored and one RBI. Tanner Brooks scored a run, while Trey Johnson was 1 for 1. Chad Smith also added a single, with a run scored.
Daulton Tullis picked up the win on the mound for Northview. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on only two hits and striking out four hitters. Justice Agerton pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out two batters.
Northview now stands at 4-4 in district play. They play their final two district games at Jay on Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 6 p.m. and at Baker beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.
Blue Wahoos Get Past Biscuits 5-4 In Final Inning
April 8, 2012
Blue Wahoos catcher Brian Peacock of Pensacola laid down an infield bunt single to score pinch runner Josh Fellhauer from third to give Pensacola a 5-4 come-from-behind walk-off victory over the Montgomery Biscuits in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola’s bay-front stadium.
First baseman Joel Guzman doubled to begin the ninth and then was replaced by Fellhauer, who reached third on a double play, before Peacock dropped down a bunt up the first base line. Biscuits reliever Adam Liberatore and first baseman Michael Sheridan converged near the ball but were unable to get Peacock as he dove into the base to cue the celebration.
Liberatore (2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB) suffered the loss and his first blown save of the season, while Blue Wahoos relievers Clayton Tanner (2.2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO), Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Donnie Joeseph (1.0 IP) kept the Montgomery offense quiet in the final 4.2 innings, yielding just one hit. Joseph earned his first victory of the season after firing a perfect final frame.
Montgomery got off to a quick 4-0 lead after three innings thanks to a run-scoring single in the first and a trio of RBI base knocks in the third. The Blue Wahoos chipped away at the deficit with an RBI single from left fielder Cody Puckett in the fifth, while Peacock and pinch hitter Mike Costanzo delivered clutch hits in the seventh to tie the game.
The win gives Pensacola a 2-1 lead in the series, with the fourth meeting of the five-game homestand set for tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm. Blue Wahoos RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to get the start on Easter Sunday, while RHP Joe Cruz is slated to toe the rubber for the Biscuits.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Catcher Brian Peacock’s bunt single gave Pensacola a 5-4 win Saturday Night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Atmore Christian Beats Bonifay
April 8, 2012
The Atmore Christian School Rams came back winners after a trip across the Florida Panhandle. The Rams bet Bonifay 6-5 in Bonifay.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Honors Coach Sammy Day
April 7, 2012
Northview High School honored athletic director, baseball and softball coach Sammy Day on Friday before the Chiefs took on Chipley.
Day, who will retire at the end of this school year, has been a teacher and coach for 37 years in the Escambia County School District. He is the only athletic director ever at Northview High School, after serving many years at Ernest Ward High School.
His accomplishments include a 1982 state championship while coaching boy’s baseball at the former Ernest Ward High School.
The Lady Chiefs beat Chipley after the presentation, 8-2. For more on the win, click here.
Softball: Lady Chiefs Beat Chipley (With Photo Gallery)
April 7, 2012
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Chipley Tigers Friday, 8-2.
“We had a great game today, we played very well,” Northview Coach Amy Holland said. “We played more as a team today than we have ever played before. We didn’t give up, and that’s what we have been looking for all year.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs dominated the first inning with six runs, plus added runs in the second and fourth.
Misty Doran pitched the win for the Lady Chiefs, striking out eight, and she was 3-3 at the plate. Samantha Johnson had double for Northview, while Morgan Payne was 1-2. Also for the Lady Chiefs, Ashton Gibbs was 2-3.
Northview had eight hits and no errors; Chipley had nine hits with three errors.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to Washington on Monday. The junior varsity will play at 4:30, and the varsity will take the field at 6:30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Baseball: Riley Homers As Northview Beats Chipley (With Gallery)
April 7, 2012
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Chipley Tigers 6-5 in varsity baseball action Friday at Northview.
Northview scored three in the second, and one each in the third, fifth and sixth.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Winston Riley with a solo home run; Kevin Vaughan, 2-3 with an RBI; Brannon Freeman 1-3 with a run scored; Chad Smith 2-2 with two doubles, an RBI, and 2 runs scored; and with Brian Ross and Daulton Tullis also scoring runs for Northview.
Kevin Vaughan picked up the win on the mound. Hunter Rigby worked 2⅓ innings in relief.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Northview plays again on Saturday, April 7 at Freeport at 10 a.m.
Pictured top: The Northview Chiefs beat Chipley 6-5 Friday in Bratt. Pictured inset: Teammates congratulate Winston Riley on a solo homer Friday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Taylor Rigby, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Beat Blue Wahoos 9-3
April 7, 2012
Montgomery center fielder Cole Figueroa drove in five runs, including four on a third inning grand slam, as the Biscuits scored nine unanswered runs to top the Pensacola Blue Wahoos 9-3 on Friday night at Pensacola’s bay-front ballpark.
Montgomery first baseman Michael Sheridan led off the third with a double before back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Figueroa, who deposited the second pitch of the at bat over the right-center field wall.
The Blue Wahoos got off to a 3-0 lead in the second thanks in part to a pair of run-scoring extra-base hits. After first baseman Mike Costanzo drew a walk, second baseman Brodie Greene brought in Costanzo with an RBI triple, while catcher Mark Fleury followed with a run-scoring double to bring home Greene. Pensacola would then take advantage of a fielding error for their third score.
Biscuits starter Alex Colome (5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned the victory after allowing three earned runs on five hits in his five innings of work, while reliever Jim Paduch (3.0 IP, 1 H, 4 SO) notched his first hold of the year with three shutout innings of relief. Blue Wahoos starter Curtis Partch (3.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss after allowing five earned runs on seven hits in three frames.
Sheridan (3-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 3B), along with Figueroa (2-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI) and shortstop Hak-Ju Lee (2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI) recorded multi-hit efforts, while no Pensacola hitters collected two or more hits in the contest.
The two squads will meet again Saturday evening, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is scheduled to get the ball for the Blue Wahoos, while he is slated to be opposed by Biscuits RHP Kyle Lobstein.
By Andrew Green / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Pictured: The Blue Wahoos fell to the Montgomery Biscuits 9-3 on Friday night. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.