Cats Scratch Pelicans; Pels Remain In First Place
August 10, 2009
The Fort Worth Cats salvaged a game in this three game series with the Pelicans, topping Pensacola 10-3. The Cats used a three run second inning to drive Pensacola’s starter Ulysses Roque from the game in his first start of the year.
John Allen led off the top of the second with a double, scoring when Kelley Gulledge singled. Both Gulledge and Matt Combs scored as well when Brian Fryer hit a double and the Cats jumped out to an early 3-0 lead.
The Cats added another run in the third when Allen again led off with a double. He moved to third when Michael Bell flied out to right, and scored when Gulledge hit a sacrifice fly.
Another run came in for the Cats in the fifth inning, when John Allen walked, stole second, moved to third on Bell’s single, and scored when Gulledge hit into a double play.
The Pelicans tagged the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on Adam Deleo’s first professional home run. The Pelicans wouldn’t score again until the ninth inning, watching as the Cats put up five runs in the eighth.
After Ulysses Roque pitched the first two innings, Bubba Nelson handled the Cats until the end of the fifth. Although Joey Wedner retired the Cats in order through innings six and seven, Fort Worth started hitting again in the eighth. Gulledge scored after reaching via walk. Garcia doubled, Combs did too, and Spenser Davis earned a base on balls. Fryer followed with a two RBI base hit, and Cameron Blair hit a RBI double. John Allen hit a RBI single, and after eight innings, the Cats led the Pelicans 10-1.
Pensacola rallied, but too late, in the bottom of the ninth. Against Cats’ closer Scott Vander Weg, the Pelicans put Antoin Gray on first with a single, and he moved to second when Marcos Rodriguez reached on an error by the shortstop. Chase Burch brought Gray in with a base knock, and Rodriguez scored when Dallas Christison doubled. The three Pelicans’ runs were no match for the Cats’ ten, and Joel Kirsten picked up his ninth win while Ulysses Roque was hit for the loss.
Roque lasted two innings allowing three runs on four hits, walking two batters and striking out one. Nelson pitched for nine outs, allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks. Joey Wedner finished the game, yielding five runs (four earned) on six hits, walking one, and striking our four batters.
Dallas Christison went 2-4 with a RBI double, and Burch went 2-2 as well with a RBI. Adam Deleo went deep for the first time this year.
The Pelicans remain at home and will host the Grand Prairie Air Hogs for a three game set beginning Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Pelicans Win Four In A Row
August 9, 2009
The Pensacola Pelicans extended their winning streak to four games with a 7-5 victory over the Fort Worth Cats Saturday night. Luis Guance hitting his first home run of the year and Lou Palmisano going deep solo proved the difference in the game.
The Cats started Nat Harris against Pensacola, who gave up four Pelicans’ runs in the bottom of the third. Kevin Reynolds led off with a walk and stole second and third. Francisco Leandro was hit by a pitch, and Antoin Gray followed with a double to score Reynolds. Marcos Rodriguez picked up an RBI with a base knock that plated Leandro, and Gray came home on a Chase Burch RBI single. Adam Darby reached on a fielder’s choice, but Rodriguez came home on the play and the Pelicans led 4-0 after three innings.
Fort Worth came back with a run in the top of the fourth, scoring Ryan Patterson after he doubled to start the frame. However, Pensacola got the run right back in the bottom of the inning, when Luis Guance went deep for the first time this year. The solo shot put the Pelicans back up by four.
The Cats rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth and tied the game at five apiece. Ryan Patterson singled; John Allen did as well, but was out at second when Michael Bell reached on a fielder’s choice. Kelley Gulledge hit a single that plated Patterson, Isa Garcia singled to bring Bell home, and Brian Fryer hit a double that brought two more runs in.
The Pelicans took the lead for good when Lou Palmisano hit his second dinger of the year, a mono-blast with one out. The Pelicans added another run in the bottom of the seventh when Leandro, who walked, made it to third on two groundouts and scored on an error by the third baseman that would have ended the inning.
Aaron Jackson started the game for Pensacola and went 5.1 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and two walks. Tyler Wilson provided steady relief, allowing just two hits over eight outs, and striking out two while earning the win. Hunter Davis came on in the ninth and stung the Cats to pick up his nineteenth save, yielding only a walk.
Antoin Gray and Chase Burch each went 2-4, with Gray hitting the double. Guance and Palmisano both went deep, and Leandro walked three times going 0-1. Kevin Reynolds stole two bases on the evening, bringing his season total to nine.
The Pelicans will look for the sweep tomorrow as Ulysses Roque makes his first start of the year for Pensacola. He will counter Joel Kirsten with tomorrow’s first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Pensacola Pelicans Win Third Straight
August 8, 2009
The Pensacola Pelicans extend their lead in first place to two games after defeating the Fort Worth Cats 8-3 on Friday night. Randy Beam earned his eighth win as the Pelicans led from the third inning on.
The Pelicans scored first in the incipient inning, bringing Kevin Reynolds home on a Marcos Rodriguez base hit. The Pels added another run in the inning when Antoin Gray came home on a fielder’s choice hit by Adam Darby.
Fort Worth tied it up in the top of the second. After John Allen walked, Michael Bell hit home run number 11 on the year to even the score at two.
The Cats actually went up by a run in the top of the third, bringing home Chuck Carter on a sacrifice fly.
The Pels added three more runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead for good. Marcos Rodriguez started the inning with a double, and moved to third when Chase Burch grounded out to second base. Adam Darby walked, and Dallas Christison picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice, scoring Rodriguez from third. After Lou Palmisano walked to load the bases, catcher’s interference put Luis Guance on first. That forced Darby home, Palmisano to second, and Christison to third. Reynolds followed with a sacrifice fly to score Dallas, and the Pelicans led 5-3.
Pensacola cemented the outcome with a three run sixth. Leandro led off with a single and stole second, coming home on a base knock by Marcos Rodriguez, his second of the night. Rodriguez stole second, and after Burch walked and Christison did the same, Palmisano hit a single that scored both Rodriguez and Burch.
The Pelicans bullpen handled things the rest of the way. Ron Hill allowed one hit while striking out three in the seventh and eighth, and Joey Wedner pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with a strikeout. The Pelicans’ starter, Randy Beam, went six innings allowing three earned runs on four hits, yielding two walks and striking out three.
At the plate, Lou Palmisano walked three times, and his only official at-bat was the two RBI single. Francisco Leandro went 3-3 with two stolen bases, two walks, and a run. Marcos Rodriguez went 3-4 with a double, two RBI, a stolen base, and two runs scored.
The Pels and Cats play again on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
NWE All-Stars Thank Community For Support (Updated)
August 7, 2009
Members of the 11-12 year old Northwest Escambia All-Stars and their manager thanked the Walnut Hill Ruritan Club Thursday night for a donation that helped them travel to Coconut Creek near Fort Lauderdale for the 11-12 Year Old State Softball Tournament late last month.
Mallory Ryan (left), Manager Jerry Mason and Cheyanne Schoonover spoke to the Ruritan Club Thursday night, also offering their thanks to the many other businesses and community members that that supported the team.
The NWE All-Stars fell short of a state championship, dropping games to Mims from Cape Canaveral and South Tampa.
The following was submitted by the NWE All-Stars:
The NWE 11-12 year old girls’ softball team and coaches would like to thank the following for their support in sending our girls to the state playoffs in Coconut, Florida on July 24th:
Jeff Hester, Southern Plumbing, First Assembly of God, Buy-Rite, Jackie Helton, Atmore Animal Clinic, Midtown Auto Parts, Jerry’s Hardware, Buster’s, Millers Antiques, NAPA-Atmore Auto Parts, Gerry McGhee, Mayor Howard Shell, Escambia Lawn and Rental, Dale Ash, Modern Woodmen of America, Losson White, Ernie Hester, Escambia Grain, Walnut Hill Ruritan, State Line Pawn Shop, Creek Indians, Mike Stacey, Edward Jones, Linda Bailey, Brantley’s, R.J. Stuckey, Jr. Inc., Gilmore Services, Allen Walston, Petty Funeral Home, Pepsi, Winn Dixie, Piggly Wiggly, and Southern Family Markets.
From the 11-12 year old Northwest Escambia All-Star girls’ softball team, we say THANK YOU, without you this trip would not have been possible.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Print A Copy: NHS Football Schedule
August 4, 2009
In just over two months, the Northview High School Chiefs will take to the football field for their Kick-off classic.
It will be a year of change for the Chiefs. They will be under the leadership of Interim Head Coach Sid Wheatley following the resignation of Head Coach Cody Keene. The Chiefs will also be in a new district taking on several different opponents this year.
Northview dropped to Class 2A District 1 into a district with with Jay, Baker, Vernon, Sneeds, Freeport, Holmes County, South Walton and Bozeman.
This year’s Northview High School varsity football schedule is below.
Click the graphic to download a printable pdf.
Pelicans Flirt With First
August 3, 2009
The Pelicans cruised to a 6-1 victory over the Fort Worth Cats on Sunday, momentarily tying them for first place in the division with Shreveport-Bossier. Randy Beam was fantastic through eight innings, and Ron Hill struck out two in a perfect ninth inning. Dallas Christison had two RBI-singles, two runs scored, and a stolen base as the Pelicans earned a 2-1 series win over the Cats.
The Pelicans prowess began in the bottom of the third with an Adam Darby double. After a ground out, Dallas Christison drove Darby in to score. Christison scored as well on a groundball to the shortstop by Francisco Leandro to give Pensacola a 2-0 advantage.
The Cats cut into the Pelicans’ lead with an Isa Garcia homer to start the fifth. That run would be the only one of the game for the Cats, as Randy Beam handled the Cats for eight innings, yielding just four hits, a walk, and striking out four in his seventh victory of the year.
Pensacola supported their starter the whole game, adding two more runs in the bottom of the fifth frame. Adam Darby led off with a walk and moved to second on an Adam Deleo sacrifice bunt. Dallas Christison hit his second RBI-single of the evening to drive in Darby, and then stole second base. Leandro drove in Dallas to put the Pels up 4-1 after five.
The Pelicans added another pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth when Leandro hit his second single of the night. He scored when Chase Burch followed with a double, and Burch scored on an Antoin Gray base hit to give the Pelicans their sixth and final run.
Ron Hill pitched the ninth and struck out John Allen, induced Michael Bell to fly out to centerfield, and struck out Ryan Patterson to seal the victory.
With the Captains losing the first game in a double-header against Lincoln, Pensacola was tied with the Captains for the division lead at the time of this publication.
Pensacola travels overnight to Grand Prairie to take on the Air Hogs for four games before returning to Pensacola. Fans can follow all the action tomorrow at 6:50 p.m. by tuning to NewsRadio 1620 or going online at SportsJuice.com.
Former North Escambia Resident Considered For All-Time Navy-Marine Football Team
August 1, 2009
A former North Escambia resident is in the running to be on the All-Stadium Team to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium.
John Skaggs, a 2000 graduate of Tate High School, is one of the finalists to be on the specials teams of the All-Time Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Team.
The Naval Academy is planning a season-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, including honoring the 1959 Navy team that defeated William & Mary in the first game played at the stadium. Additionally, an all-time Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium team will be selected with fans having an opportunity to nominate and vote for their favorite Navy players who have played at the stadium.
The all-time team will be revealed at halftime throughout the 2009 season.
Skaggs punted for Navy from 2001-2003. He is the Navy’s all-time punting leader for a single-season and a career. He broke Bill Busik’s 60-year old single-season record in 2001 when he averaged 44.8 yards per punt, while his 43.1 yards per game career average is also a school record. In 2001, Skaggs had 48 punts for 2,151 yards.
“It would be an honor to be recognized on the All-Stadium team,” Skaggs told NorthEscambia.com Friday afternoon.
To vote for the specialists on the All-Time Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Team, click here. Voting ends Sunday.
Skaggs and his wife Emily (Fillingim) Skaggs now reside in Panama City. They both have numerous relatives in the North Escambia area.
Both North Escambia Teams Fall Short Of State Softball Championships
July 27, 2009
Both North Escambia teams playing in state softball tournament games fell short this weekend.
Both Tri-County and Northwest Escambia remained alive in their respective tournaments after Saturday play, but both suffered losses in Sunday semifinals.
Tri-County All Stars
The 10-11 year old Tri-County All-Stars won their first game in the state tournament Saturday morning near Orlando, but fell short in their second game in the afternoon.
Tri-County beat Mt. Dora 10-2 in a Saturday morning game. Saturday afternoon, Tri-County lost 9-4 to South Tampa.
Sunday morning, Tri-County lost a semifinal game to Land-o_Lakes, 10-0.
The tournament was in Windermere, Florida, just outside Orlando.
Northwest Escambia All Stars
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars have dropped two in the 11-12 Year Old State Tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale.
NWE lost their first weekend game to Mims from Cape Canaveral 12-3 in six innings. Saturday morning, NWE lost to Windermere 10-3.
Northwest Escambia lost 8-0 to South Tampa on Sunday, ending their state championship hopes.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars. Pictured below: The 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars. File photos, click to enlarge.
Mixed Day For Two Local Softball Teams In State Tournaments
July 26, 2009
Saturday was a mixed day for two local teams competing for state softball championships. Both Tri-County and Northwest Escambia remained alive in their respective tournaments after Saturday play, but both has losses.
Going into Sunday games, Tri-County is 1-1 in state tournament play, and Northwest Escambia is 0-2.
Tri-County All Stars
The 10-11 year old Tri-County All-Stars won their first game in the state tournament Saturday morning near Orlando, but fell short in their second game in the afternoon.
Tri-County beat Mt. Dora 10-2 in a Saturday morning game. Saturday afternoon, Tri-County lost to South Tampa 9-4.
They will play Sunday in a semifinal game as second seed in their pool. Tri-County will take on Land-o-Lakes at 10 (EDT) Sunday morning.
The tournament is in Windermere, Florida, just outside Orlando.
Northwest Escambia All Stars
The Northwest Escambia All-Stars have dropped two in the 11-12 Year Old State Tournament in Coconut Creek, Fla., just north of Fort Lauderdale.
NWE lost their first weekend game to Mims from Cape Canaveral 12-3 in six innings. Saturday morning, NWE lost to Windermere 10-3.
Northwest Escambia will take the field again Sunday against South Tampa.
Pictured above: The NWE 10-11 Year Old All-Stars. Pictured below: The 10-11 Year Old Tri-County All-Stars. File photos, click to enlarge.
School District To Insure Student Athletes For Free
July 22, 2009
All Escambia County student athletes will have free accident insurance complements of the school district during the upcoming school year.
The bill for $55,820 blanket insurance policy will be paid out of the Escambia County School Districts $9 million reserve fund. The board voted 3-2 Tuesday night to provide the insurance, with Patty Hightower and Gerald Boone voting against the plan. Boone and Hightower instead supported a plan requiring all student athletes to purchase a policy from the school system at $12 per high school student and $6 for each in middle school.
The new insurance plan will be at no cost to student athletes in any sport regardless of their current insurance status. If a child is already insured, the school district policy will serve as secondary coverage, covering additional expenses like co-pays on the primary policy.
During the last school year, if a student provided proof of at least $25,000 in insurance, they were not required to purchase a district policy. If they opted for the district policy, it last year’s cost was $54 for football players, $20 for soccer players and $9.50 for other sports.
The district current has about 5,500 total student athletes.