Smokies Defeat Wahoos 11-6 To Claim Series Victory
May 28, 2018
The Blue Wahoos could not get the win in their final game against the Smokies despite a late comeback as Tennessee bested Pensacola, 11-6, to claim the series.
Pensacola trailed 9-4 in the bottom of the eighth. A Nick Longhi two-run base hit cut the Wahoos deficit to 9-6. Gavin LaValley came to the plate with only one out in the inning. LaValley hit a line drive that could have cut the deficit to one, but third basemen Jesse Hodges caught LaValley’s ball, then dove back to the bag to double off Shed Long and end the threat.
Hodges and Zack Short each hit solo home runs in the top of the ninth to increase the Smokies lead to 11-6.
The Blue Wahoos got off to a fast start in the game with four runs over the first two innings. C.J. McElroy, Longhi and LaValley combined to go 6-for-6 in the first and second innings helping the Wahoos to the early advantage. Pensacola starter Wyatt Strahan battled through four-plus innings but was charged with six runs (five earned) in the losing effort. He allowed just one earned run over his first 3.2 innings, but surrendered hits to seven of the last eight batters he faced before getting lifted with two on and nobody out in the fifth.
Carlos Navas, Jesus Reyes, and Juan Martinez combined to allow five runs out of the Pensacola bullpen. Offensively, Longhi and LaValley led the way with three hits each in the losing effort.
Preston Morrison earned the win in relief for the Smokies with a pair of scoreless innings.
The Wahoos will head to Jacksonville to face off against the Jumbo Shrimp for five games. Pensacola will turn to right-hander Daniel Wright (2-2, 4.59) against Shrimp right-hander Nick Neidert (4-3, 3.11).
Wahoos Snap Skid, Split Twin Bill With Smokies
May 25, 2018
The Blue Wahoos snapped their six-game losing streak with a 7-5 win over the Smokies on Thursday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium in the second of a doubleheader after dropping the first 5-4.
With the Wahoos down 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth of game two, Brian O’Grady hit a two-run double to cut the Smokies lead to 5-3. Nick Longhi then came to the plate and hit a two-run single to tie the game. C.J. McElroy broke the Smokies backs with another two-run double to give the Wahoos their first lead of the series at 7-5.
The story for the Wahoos during the six-game losing streak was the team’s inability to score runs. However, the Wahoos found their confidence scoring late in the first game that repeated itself in the second.
In the bottom of the ninth of game one, with the Blue Wahoos down 5-1, Pensacola hit three home runs to tie the game at four. Taylor Sparks hit a two-run shot to cut the deficit down to 4-2 before C.J. McElroy and Shed Long belted back-to-back home runs of their own.
However, the Smokies won Wednesday’s suspended game off Trey Martin’s 11th inning RBI single to give the Smokies a 5-4 victory in the series opener.
In game three of the series, left-handed pitcher Seth Varner (1-0, 4.19) will make his first career Double-A start for the Wahoos. One of the top prospects in the Cubs minor league system, RHP Thomas Hatch (4-2, 3.06) will take the hill and try to give the Smokies a 2-1 lead.
Ballpark Closing Ceremonies Tonight For NWE, Changed To Next Week For Century
May 24, 2018
Closing ceremonies will be held tonight for Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park, while Century Little League has rescheduled their closing ceremony for next week due to this weekend’s rainy forecast.
Century Little League
Century Little League will hold closing ceremonies next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Showalter Park. Players and coaches should wear their jerseys.
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park will hold closing ceremonies Thursday at 6 p.m. There will be additional fun activities and fireworks at dark. Players should wear their jerseys.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Derrick Brooks Joins Blue Wahoos Ownership Group
May 24, 2018
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos made another big catch when it was announced that Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks has joined two time Master champion Bubba Watson and Quint and Rishy Studer in the ownership of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
“I, like all Pensacolians have had great respect for Derrick for years,” said Quint Studer. “His accomplishments on the field are legendary. So too is his work off the football field. From a high school in Tampa, running an arena football team to numerous endeavors making life better for children and families, Derrick is a difference maker. His commitment to Pensacola has never wavered. We have seen this with the success of the flag football league.”
“I am excited to welcome Derrick into the Blue Wahoos family. We have known each other for a long time and I know he shares Quint and Rishy’s vision for improving the quality of life in our community” said Watson. “I loved watching Derrick play football, but more importantly I like the way he has used the platform he was given to make a positive impact on the people and communities around him. We are lucky that he is from Pensacola”
“Bubba and Derrick have great respect for each other,” added Studer. “I was thrilled when Bubba brought up the idea of Derrick joining our group. Rishy and I have always taken a long range look at things. Having local ownership is important. Those teams that move out of a city most often are owned by people that are not part of the community. Of course it also takes a supportive city and a well maintained stadium to ensure a team remains.”
In addition Brooks and Studer have created Studer55. The initial focus will be building up flag football with a focus on academics and character building.
“I am humbled, excited, and ready to serve our ownership group in any role that will help the team win,” said Derrick Brooks. “This opportunity to work more strategically with my hometown and better serve our community with my partnership with Quint, Bubba and other partners. I have dreamed of professional sports ownership, so I am grateful that Quint and his wife allowed me this chance. Also, Derrick Brooks Charities plan to expand our flag football league with the NFL and increase our community programs with David Wilson’s leadership as part of the Studer Family of Companies.”
“We have also gotten to know Derrick’s desire to increase his Pensacola presence, as well as longtime coach, and now the athletic director for Studer55, David Wilson’s goal to move to Pensacola,” said Studer. “In the near future we will reveal the increased opportunities for children to be healthy both physically and mentally through Studer55. We are thrilled to have Coach Wilson back in the community.”
Brooks’ decorated NFL career began after twice being name an All-American at Florida State. In 2002, he was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. That season, he helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the franchise’s first Super Bowl. He is an 11-time Pro Bowler which is tied for the second most for a linebacker in NFL history. In 2014 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His name is also enshrined in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor and his number 55 is one of three numbers retired by the franchise.
Jackson Generals Beat The Blue Wahoos 5-0
May 22, 2018
The Jackson Generals put on an offensive showcase against the Blue Wahoos in Monday night’s game to complete the series sweep at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The game was called after the top of the eighth as the rain began coming down, which gave the Generals a 5-0 win.
Starting pitcher Wyatt Strahan (L 4-3) got off to a shaky start. The right-hander allowed a two-run double to Rudy Flores that gave the Generals an early 2-0 lead. His pitching woes continued as Kevin Madrano singled home two, which doubled the Generals lead to 4-0 after two innings. However, he finished strong and did not allow a run over his final three innings.
Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jon Duplantier (W 3-1), pitched six shutout innings and allowed just one infield single on the night. The Wahoos were unable to solve Duplantier and the Generals starter did not allow a runner in scoring position all night. Yuhei Nakaushiro pitched a scoreless inning in the seventh inning before the game was called. Jackson’s win handed Pensacola its first five-game sweep since May 3-7 at the hands of Chattanooga.
The Wahoos will have an off day Tuesday before continuing the homestand with a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies starting Wednesday night. Right-handed pitcher Daniel Wright (2-2, 4.63) will start for the Wahoos against Tennessee right-hander Trevor Clifton (3-3, 3.83).
Generals Blank Wahoos 6-0
May 21, 2018
Saturday it was Taylor Widener who stymied the Wahoos bats. Sunday, it was Ryan Atkinson’s turn, and the former indy ball pitcher twirled six shutout innings in Jackson’s 6-0 win at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
For the second consecutive game, Jackson’s offense jumped out in front early. After a single from Jamie Westbrook, Rudy Flores cranked his seventh home run of the season off Vladimir Gutierrez (L, 1-6) to put the guests up 2-0. Jackson’s offense was relentless as they added runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings before they tallied one final run in the eighth. When the dust settled on Sunday’s contest, the Generals finished with six runs on 10 hits.
Gutierrez pitched five innings and surrendered a season-high five earned runs for the second time this year. His usual pinpoint command was absent in his ninth start of 2018. He often fell behind the General batters and issued a four-pitch walk to Marcus Littlewood in the fourth inning. Former Blue Wahoo and current Cincinnati Red, Michael Lorenzen, made his scheduled two-inning rehab appearance in the sixth inning, and did so in flawless fashion. Lorenzen retired all six batters he faced and struck out two.
The Wahoos offense sputtered again Sunday as Atkinson kept Pensacola’s bats in check. Despite recording hits in the first three innings of the game, the Wahoos were unable to drive any of the runners home. Atkinson navigated through trouble again the fifth inning after Alberti Chavez singled and C.J. McElroy walked, but the former Cincinnati Bearcat struck out Luis Gonzalez and got Brian O’Grady to pop out to end the threat. Atkinson struck out the side in the sixth before being lifted from the game, capping off a season-best 10 strikeout performance. Sam Lewis and Bud Jeter allowed one baserunner over the game’s final three innings. The Blue Wahoos have now been shut out three times this season.
Jackson’s starting pitchers have been the difference through the first four games of the series. Pensacola has pushed across three runs against the Generals starting rotation. The Wahoos are just 16-for-96 against Justin Donatella, Alex Young, Taylor Widener, and Atkinson. It gets no easier for Pensacola when they face the Diamondbacks top prospect in right-hander Jon Duplantier, who led all of minor league baseball last season with a 1.39 ERA. Duplantier was named the MLB Pipeline Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and also pitched for Team USA in the 2017 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.
Tomorrow’s finale is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with the Wahoos hoping to avoid a five-game sweep. Wyatt Strahan (4-2, 6.18) will get the green light for Pensacola while Duplantier (2-1, 2.96) looks to seal the deal for Jackson.
Generals Edge Wahoos 4-1 To Claim Series
May 20, 2018
The Jackson Generals were able to get three runs off MLB rehabber Anthony DeSclafani on their way to a 4-1 win over the Blue Wahoos Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
DeSclafani looked sharp after retiring the first four Generals he faced. With one out in the second inning, Juniel Querecuto softly doubled down the left field line. He scored a batter later on Galli Cribbs’ infield single and throwing error from second baseman Shed Long. DeSclafani struck out the next two batters to work out of the jam and he cruised until allowing back to back doubles from Kevin Medrano and Domingo Leyba to start the sixth. That signaled the end of his outing, both runners later scored to finalize his line of 5.0 innings with three runs allowed, two earned. He struck out eight Generals while allowing just one walk. He ended up throwing one pitch more than his allotted 75.
For the Generals, starter Taylor Widener (W, 2-2) was dominant against the Blue Wahoos over seven innings. Widener held the Wahoos to one run that came from an Aristides Aquino home run at the top of the second, his seventh of the season. Widener finished with 11 strikeouts and no walks. Yoan Lopez closed out the Generals win with a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the year.
In game four of the series, right-handed pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez (1-5, 5.74) will start for the Wahoos against Jackson right-hander Ryan Atkinson (1-4, 5.28).
Spring Football: Northview, Escambia County Atmore Play To Tie
May 19, 2018
The Northview Chiefs and the Escambia County County Blue Devils battled it out Friday night in a Spring Game and walked away in a 14-14 tie.
The varsity programs played to 14-14 in the first three quarters, while junior varsity fourth quarter was scoreless in Bratt.
“We were sloppy, they were sloppy, you expect that at this point,” Northview Chiefs Head Coach Derek Marshman said. “I think both teams are going to have a chance to be really good football teams. They’ve got a ton of athletes; they do a really good job. We are going to get after it this summer; that is where games are won. Our kids know that.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Mashman said he’s looking forward to a competitive season in the fall.
“We are going to come out and compete every game. The main thing we want is when we walk off the field for the other team to say that team competed as hard as anyone we’ve played. We have the opportunity to win each and every game, but we are never going to promise a win. But we want the other team to know we brought our A-game.”
Escambia County will be at Wilcox Central on August 31. The Northview Chiefs will host Vernon in a Kickoff Classic on August 17 and open the regular season on the road August 24 at Lighthouse Christian.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos And Generals Suspended In Ninth
May 18, 2018
Thursday’s opening game at Blue Wahoos Stadium between the Wahoos and Generals has been suspended due to inclement weather. The Generals had just taken the lead before play was halted with two outs in the ninth inning. The game will be resumed tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. Friday’s regularly scheduled game will start at 6:30 or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the suspended contest.
The Generals ninth inning rally got started with a one-out double from Juniel Querecuto. After a groundout, Wahoos pitcher Robinson Leyer then hit Galli Cribbs and walked the next three Generals to give the visitors a 3-2 lead. As Wahoos manager Jody Davis brought in Rafael De Paula to finish the inning, the rains came down which resulted in play being halted.
Daniel Wright dominated for the Wahoos for seven shutout innings. The Wahoos starter allowed two hits, with no walks, and five strikeouts. Wright finished the night retiring 10 of the last 20 batters he faced. He has not allowed an earned run over his last 13 innings.
Generals starter Justin Donatella struggled early but settled into the game after a bumpy first inning. Shed Long led off the bottom of the first with his fifth home run of the season to give the Wahoos a quick 1-0 lead. After Daniel Sweet walked and stole second, he then scored on Gavin LaValley’s RBI single to double the Wahoos advantage. Brian O’Grady then doubled, but he and LaValley were stranded after Donatella retired the next three batters to end the threat. Donatella wound up pitching seven innings and he retired the last 15 Wahoos he faced.
In game two, right-handed pitcher Keury Mella (4-1, 2.00) will take the mound for Pensacola while south paw Alex Young (4-1, 4.64) will take the hill for the Generals.
Pace Gets Regional Semifinal Win Over The Tate Aggies
May 16, 2018
The Pace Patriots defeated the Tate Aggies in the 7A regional semifinal Tuesday night in Pace.
Tate held a 4-1 run lead at the end of the first. Pace added five for the lead in the sixth, with Tate answering with two to tie it in the top of the seventh.
Raymond Lafleur hit a home run in top of the first with a line drive to right field, scoring Michael Potts for a 4-0 Aggie lead. Ryan Greene homered on a line drive to right field in the top of the seventh, scoring Darrien McDowell to tie it up 6-6.
The Patriots advance to the regional final on May 22.