Blue Wahoos Clinch Five Game Series Over Braves
April 11, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly likes his talented young starters but one of his hurlers that stood out to him before the season started was 21-year-old Jackson Stephens.
Stephens put himself on the radar of Blue Wahoos fans by striking out a career high nine batters Sunday to lead Pensacola to a 4-2 victory at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS. The right hander’s first victory in his Double-A debut helped the Wahoos to a 3-1 lead to clinch its season-opening five-game series with the Braves that ends Monday.
Stephens, who’s from Oxford, Ala., and has fished Pensacola’s waterways in the past, tied his career high in strikeouts in the fourth inning with eight when he whiffed Mississippi left fielder Dustin Peterson to start the inning. He then set a new career high at nine when he struck out Braves center fielder Sean Godfrey three batters later.
Stephens struck out the side in order in the second inning and then recorded three more strikeouts in the third inning. He left the game in the 5th inning having allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks.
In a shaky first inning in which the first two batters singled off him, Stephens benefited from Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson, who threw out both runners trying to steal second base. Hudson entered the season as the Cincinnati Reds best defensive catcher by Baseball America.
Blue Wahoos third baseman Eric Jagielo, who hit Pensacola’s first home run of the season Sunday, gave Pensacola a 4-2 cushion in the ninth inning when his sacrifice fly scored Beau Amaral from third. Amaral started the inning with a double.
Pensacola went ahead, 3-2, in the sixth inning when pinch hitter Brandon Dixon drove in right fielder Sebastian Elizade, who was hit by a pitch, on a deep fly ball to center field.
The Blue Wahoos scored first when third baseman Eric Jagielo smacked a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to put Pensacola up 2-0. Jagielo’s homer to center knocked in shortstop Zach Vincej, who had singled to shortstop and advanced to second on a throwing error by Ozzie Albies.
The Braves evened up the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the fourth inning when catcher Willians Astudillo doubled to center with two outs to drive in first baseman Jacob Shrader and third baseman Carlos Franco. Schrader was hit by a pitch and Franco walked.
The Blue Wahoos bats have come alive in the series, with 11 hits on Saturday and nine on Sunday. Leading Pensacola at the plate Sunday were Jagielo who was 2-4 with three RBIs, second baseman Tony Renda who went 3-4 and Amaral who was 2-5 with a double and scored a run.
The Pensacola bullpen also performed well against the Braves. El’Hajj Muhammad threw two hitless innings and struck out two in relief of Stephens. Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos reliever Carlos Gonzalez allowed one hit in two innings of work and set the Braves down 1-2-3 on strikeouts in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.
Tate Lady Aggies Support The Miracle League
April 10, 2016
The Tate High School Lady Aggies showed their love and support Saturday morning as they served as “buddies” for the players at the Miracle League of Pensacola. The Miracle League is for disabled and special needs persons of all ages. Some of the players are in wheelchairs and walkers. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com., click to enlarge.
Wahoos Pull Out 5-4 Win in 13 Innings
April 10, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos came from two runs down to overcome the Mississippi Braves, 5-4, Saturday in 13 innings at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS.
Minor league veteran Ray Chang scored the winning run for Pensacola in the top of the 13th inning, showing rare speed for a 32-year-old as he scored from second base. Chang led off the inning with a line-drive single to centerfield and scored when Pin-Chieh Chen smacked a ball to left field that was mishandled by Mississippi’s Dustin Peterson.
The Blue Wahoos now lead the five-game series, 2-1.
It looked as if Pensacola would win the game in the 12th inning when Tony Renda, Baseball America’s No. 12 prospect in the Washington Nationals’ chain last season, lined a two-out double into right field. He drove in both centerfielder Beau Amaral and shortstop Zach Vincej to give Pensacola a 4-2 lead over the Braves.
But Mississippi came right back with two runs of its own in the bottom of the 12th off of Pensacola reliever Kyle McMyne. Braves center fielder Matt Lipka scored when Renda committed an error on first baseman Levi Hyam’s grounder to second.
Mississippi’s third baseman Emerson Landoni then singled to left field to score Peterson to tie the game again, 4-4.
But with the bases loaded and one out, Blue Wahoos reliever Kyle McMyne got a strike out and ground out to work out of the 12th inning. Mississippi stranded 31 runners on base during the Southern League game.
McMyne ended up getting the win, his first of the season, and Alejandro Chacin was credited with his first save for the Blue Wahoos.
The Blue Wahoos had tied the score, 2-2, in the sixth inning to send the game into extra innings. First baseman Ray Chang smashed a grounder up the middle to center field that scored second baseman Tony Renda, who hit a ground-rule double to left center.
Mississippi got on the scoreboard first in the first inning when right fielder Jody Lara hit a sacrifice fly to right field that scored shortstop Ozzie Albies from third base.
The Braves upped its lead, 2-0, in the third inning when Lipka doubled to center field and then scored on Hyams’ groundball to shortstop.
But the Blue Wahoos fought back to score a run and cut Mississippi’s lead to, 2-1, in the fifth inning when center fielder Beau Amaral singled sharply to right field to score Pin-Chieh Chen, who walked, from second base.
Sal Romano, the Cincinnati Reds No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America, pitched 5.1 inning and allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out three batters.
Meanwhile, Mississippi starter Sean Newcomb gave up one run in five innings on four hits and two walks, and he struck out five.
Senior Night: Northview Beats Chipley In Eight
April 9, 2016
Roman Manning drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning for the Northview Chiefs on Senior Night to defeat the Chipley Tigers 6-5.
Northview started off hot Friday night with four runs in the first inning to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Chipley, ranked #4 in 1A in Florida, cut into the lead in the 4th inning with two runs in the top half of the inning, but the Chiefs responded with one in the bottom of the 4th for a 5-2 lead. Chipley added one run in the 6th inning and two runs in the 7th inning to tie the game at 5-5 and force the extra inning.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Quentin Sampson (2-5, 1 RBI); Zach Payne (1-1, 1 RBI, 1 run); Jared Aliff (1-2, 1 RBI); Roman Manning (1-4, 1 RBI, 1 run); Thomas Moore (1-3); Seth Killam (1-3, 2 runs, including the game-winning run). John Chivington and Devin Stabler also had a run each for Northview.
Daniel Mascaro earned the win for Northview, throwing one inning and allowing no hits or no runs. Thomas Moore threw seven innings, striking out 10 batters while allowing five hits and five runs.
Northview improved to 7-9 on the season and 4-6 in the district. The Chiefs finished tied for #3 in District 3-1A, but a tiebreaker will move them to the #4 seed in the upcoming district tournament.
Northview returns to action in their regular season finale Tuesday at Laurel Hill.
Pictured: Northview seniors and their parents (L-R) Jacob Dunsford, Zach Holland and Roman Manning. Not pictured: Thomas Moore. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Earn Season-Opening Win Over Braves
April 8, 2016
Phillip Ervin wanted to prove that getting in shape this offseason would improve his game. He shed 10 pounds to 205 and the Pensacola Blue Wahoos left fielder said he could feel a big difference.
Ervin hit a triple and double in four at bats and scored Pensacola’s first run as the Blue Wahoos defeated the Mississippi Braves, 3-1, at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. The Cincinnati Reds No. 12 prospect according to Baseball America, had two of the team’s four hits.
The victory was Pensacola’s fourth in its five opening season games since its inaugural year in the Southern League in 2012.
The Blue Wahoos took the lead over Mississippi in the fourth when Ervin led off the inning with a triple on a fly ball just left of dead centerfield. Ervin scored when Donald Lutz followed him with a deep fly out to left.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mississippi loaded the bases with no outs against Pensacola right-hander Nick Travieso. Dustin Peterson doubled, Jacob Schrader walked and Carlos Franco singled to left field. But Travieso struck out Matt Lipka and forced Willians Astudillo to ground out into a double play to end the threat.
Travieso, the Cincinnati Reds No. 7 prospect according to Baseball America, pitched five shutout innings in his Double-A debut with Pensacola. He allowed four hits by walking two and striking out five.
Pensacola scored two more runs in the top of the seventh to go ahead, 3-0, when second baseman Brandon Dixon scored on a ground out into a double play by pinch hitter Pin-Chieh Chen. Blue Wahoos centerfielder Beau Amaral then hit a two-out single to left field that scored right fielder Sebastian Elizalde from third base.
Mississippi got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh when Jordy Lara singled in Johan Comargo to trail Pensacola, 3-1.
The Braves did strike out 13 Pensacola hitters with starter Lucas Sims leading the way with nine in his five innings of one-hit, one-earned-run ball.
Calten Daal started the game at shortstop for Pensacola but the third pitch to him in the first inning by Mississippi’s Sims clocked him in the helmet. Zach Vincej replaced Daal, the No. 23 prospect in the Reds organization.
Northview Beats Jay; Tate Tops West Florida; NHS Softball Rounds Out Season
April 6, 2016
Northview 8, Jay 4
The Northview Chiefs defeated the Jay Royals Tuesday night by a score of 8-4.
The Royals struck first with two runs in the second inning. Northview battled back with a run in the fourth inning and a run in the fifth inning to tie the game at 2-2. The Chiefs exploded for five runs in the sixth inning to take a 7-2 lead, but Jay tacked on two in the bottom half of the sixth for a 7-4 game heading into the final inning, where Northview added one more insurance run for the 8-4 victory.
Leading hitters for the Chiefs were Thomas Moore (3-3, RBI); Jared Aliff (2-4, 2B, RBI); Seth Killam (2-3, 2 runs); Quentin Sampson (1-4, 2 RBI, SB, run); Roman Manning (1-4, 2 RBI); Josh Neese (1-2); Zach Payne (1-4, 2B, RBI); Jacob Dunsford (1-3, run). Luke Ward scored two runs for the Chiefs, while Devin Stabler and M.J. Jones each added one run.
Josh Neese earned the win in relief for Northview, throwing 5 1/3 innings, giving up two unearned runs on only one hit with two strikeouts. Daniel Mascaro pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on one hit and three strikeouts. The duo combined to only allow two hits all night.
Logan Dobson was the losing pitcher for Jay, throwing six innings, giving up seven runs on 11 hits while striking out two batters. Brandon Covan (1-3, run) and Connor Moye (1-4) recorded the only hits for the Royals.
With the win, Northview improves to 6-8 overall and 3-6 in district, while Jay falls to 5-11 and 3-6 in district. Northview plays Wednesday night at home aganst Corbin (KY) High School.
Tate 3, West Florida
The Tate Aggies beat the West Florida Jaguars Tuesday 3-1 .
Hunter Nesmith was 2-3 with a double in the second inning and a single in the fourth as Tate earned the win at home.
Madison Lockman earned the win in relief for the Aggies with two innings on the mound with no runs and striking out two. Trace Penton pitched two for the Aggies, allowing one run and walking one. Jake Davis also pitched two for Tate, striking out three with no hits, no runs and no errors. Logan McGuffey pitched one inning for Tate, striking out three with no hits, no runs and no errors.
The Tate Aggies scored one in the second inning, matching West Florida’s lone score. Josh Kea hit a sacrifice fly for the score. In the fourth inning, Tate scored a couple on a two-run single from Mason Land.
SOFTBALL
Gulf Breeze 10, Northview:
The Northview Lady Chiefs lost their final game of the Regular season at the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 10-4.
Tori Herrington took the loss in 6 innings while striking out 4, walking 2, allowing 8 hits, 10 runs and 7 earned runs.
Batting for the Lady Chiefs were Hannah Ging: 1-2 with a walk and 2 runs. Tori Herrington: 1-2 with 2 walks and 2 runs. Aubree Love: 1-4 with 3 RBI’s, Jamia Newton: 1-4. Kendall Enfinger 1-4.
The Chiefs will begin the district tournament Monday at Northview. Opponent and time TBD.
Play Ball! Opening Day For Northwest Escambia (With Gallery)
April 3, 2016
Saturday was Opening Day for Northwest Escambia at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Ballpark Revived
April 3, 2016
After an absence of several years, baseball and softball returned Saturday to the Cantonment Ballpark.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Tops Northview; Pace Over Tate
March 31, 2016
BASEBALL
Jay 5, Northview 2
The Jay Royals rallied in the eighth inning Wednesday evening to defeat the Northview Chiefs 5-2.
Northview had a two-run second inning. The Chiefs scored on an RBI double from Jacob Dunsford and on a groundout by Seth Killam. Roman Manning went 3-4 with three singles.
Josh Neese pitched seven and third inning for the Chiefs, allowing three earned runs, six hits and three walks while striking out six.
The Chiefs are set to host Hopkinsville, KY, Thursday. JV plays at 4:00 followed by the varsity at 6:00.
Pace 9, Tate 5
The Tate Aggies were up four runs in the fourth inning but Pace rallied late to take a 9-5 win and earn District 1-7A top spot.
Tate’s Jake Davis had two RBIs on one hit. He homered in the second inning. On the mound, Davis allowed one earned run, no walks an six hits in five innings. The loss went to Trace Penton with no walks, no strikeouts while allowing three runs in one-third of an inning.
The Aggies will be at Pace in a district matchup Friday at 6 p.m.
Pictured: Northview’s Jared Aliff splintered a bat during Wednesday evening’s game against Jay. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Tennessee Team Tops Northview (With Photo Gallery)
March 30, 2016
The Northview Chiefs fall to the Siegel Stars of Murfreesboro, TN, 11-0 in 6 innings in Bratt.
Tori Herrington took the loss in a valiant effort pitching six innings, allowing 11 runs, 15 hits, striking out one and walking two. The Chiefs managed only one hit on a single from Aubree Love in the bottom of the fifth.
The Chiefs Varsity team will travel to Jay Wednesday evening to face the Royals in the last district game of the regular season at 5:00.
Tuesday was Senior Night for the Chiefs as they honor seniors Hanna Ging and Laurie Purdy.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Above: Senior Hanna Ging and family.
Above: Senior Laurie Purdy and family.