Wahoos Come From Behind To Beat Jackson Generals
May 4, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored three runs in the ninth inning to come from behind for a 3-1 win over the Jackson Generals on Saturday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. Juan Duran singled home a pair of runs with two outs to put the Wahoos in front in the top of the ninth.
Michael Lorenzen pitched well in his start for the Blue Wahoos. The lone run he allowed scored in the second inning on a groundout to the shortstop. Lorenzen logged 6.0 innings and allowed just the 1R/ER on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Generals starter Cam Hobson upstaged Lorenzen with 7.0 shutout innings for Jackson without recording a decision. Maycol Guaipe (1-1) allowed all three runs in the ninth after working a scoreless eighth to take the loss out of the Generals bullpen.
The Generals threatened to extend their lead in the eighth inning against Wahoos reliever Drew Hayes (2-1). Steve Selsky threw out Kevin Rivers trying to score from second on John Hicks’ single to left field. Hayes struck out the next batter to end the inning and set up the Wahoos comeback. That was Hayes’ only inning of work to earn the win in front of many of his friends and family from the right-handers nearby hometown, McKenzie, Tenn. Shane Dyer (S, 2) worked a one-two-three ninth to earn his second save of the year.
Bryan Anderson and Ray Chang both had two-hit games for the Blue Wahoos to lead the offense.
Pensacola has now tied the series at two and will look for their first series win since taking four-of-five from the Smokies to open the season. The Blue Wahoos will start RHP Mikey O’Brien (0-2, 5.25) against Generals LHP Tyler Olson who will be making his Double-A debut. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. from the Ballpark at Jackson.\
by Tommy Thrall
Playoff Roundup: Jay, Tate, West Florida Advance
May 2, 2014
Jay 7, South Walton 2 (Softball)
The Jay Lady Royals won their Region 3-1A quarterfinal game Thursday 7-2 over South Walton.
Chasity McCranie pitched the win for the Lady Royals in seven, striking out 11, allow a double, two runs, five hits and committing two erros.
For the Lady Royals, Destiny Herring was 1-4 with a run, double and two RBis, Samantha Steadham was 2-4 with a run, double and2 RBIs; Holly Taggert two runs; and Makayla Stewart had a couple of runs.
The Lady Royals will host either Port St. Joe or Chipley on Monday at 4 p.m.
Tate 10, Navarre 0 (Softball)
The Tate Lady Aggies beat the Navarre Raiders 10-0 Thursday in the Region 1-7A semifinal game.
On Saturday, the Lady Aggies will host East Ridge Saturday in the Region 1-7A at 2 p.m.
West Florida 6, Taylor County 5 (Baseball)
West Florida High School beat Taylor County 6-5 in the baseball Region 1-4A quarterfinals. Nick Lackey was 2-4 with a double and two RBis for West Florida, while Chad Simmons was 3-4 with an RBI. Kyle Harrison hammered n the game winning run, going 1-4 with a double.
The West Florida Jaguars will host the Region 1-4A semifinals next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
West Florida Beats Tally High In Region 1-4A Semi (With Gallery)
May 2, 2014
The West Florida High Lady Jaguars won the Region 1-4A semifinal game Thursday night against Tallahassee High, 5-0.
Senior Korina Rosario pitched the shut out, giving up eight hits, two walks while recording nine strike outs. Hitters for West Florida were Nachelle Watson 2-4 with a home run and 2 RBIs; Ali Cutaio was 1-3; Kristen Gunter was 2-2 with two RBIs; Rosario went 1-2; Jordaine Watkins was 1-3 with a double and RBI; and Lauren Carnley was 1-3 with a double.
West Florida (25-1) will travel to face West Nassau High in Callahan (north of Jacksonville) on Saturday in the Region 1-4A finals and the chance at the state playoffs next week in Vero Beach. A playoff final win would be the first softball state championship.
Pictured top: West Florida Senior Nachelle Watson comes in on her home run Thursday against Tallahassee High. Pictured inset: Senior Karina Rosario pitched the Lady Jags’ win. NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Generals Make It Two Straight Over Pensacola Blue Wahoos
May 2, 2014
For the second straight night the Generals jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back on their way to a 5-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Thursday night at the Ballpark at Jackson. The Wahoos pushed across their first run of the series with two outs in the ninth.
The Generals opened the game with back-to-back doubles and both were converted to runs on sacrifice flies to give Jackson an early 2-0 lead. Nate Melendres launched a solo home run to make it 3-0 in the second inning. Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Robert Stephenson (L, 2-2) went on to retire 11 of the next 12 batters he faced. The only man to reach got on with an error. Stephenson allowed a one-out double followed by a walk in the sixth to bring an end to his night. Both came home to score on an RBI single by Manny Pina off Tim Adleman, but the runs were charged to Stephenson.
Ross Perez led the way offensively for the Blue Wahoos with a 4-for-5 game including a triple and Pensacola’s only RBI. The Wahoos had base runners in every inning and left a season-high 15 runners on base.
Stephenson was tagged with the loss and charged with all 5R/ER. He walked two and struck out four. Jochi Ogando went four innings in the start for the Generals. He didn’t allow a run and walked three with five strikeouts. Stephen Shackleford (W, 3-1) earned the win out of the bullpen. He allowed just 1R/0ER over the final 2.2 innings.
The Wahoos look for their first win in four games with RHP Jon Moscot (1-1, 2.08) on the mound against Generals RHP Trevor Miller (0-3, 5.40).
by Tommy Thrall
Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Generals Shut Out Wahoos 5-0 In Series Opener
May 1, 2014
The Jackson Generals never looked back after a two-run first-inning home run, and cruised to a 5-0 win over the Blue Wahoos Wednesday night in the series opener at the Ballpark at Jackson. With a runner at first, Kevin Rivers launched a two-run home run over the right field wall to give the Generals all they needed. Rivers’ homer was one of two for the Generals. Mickey Wiswall’s solo shot capped the scoring in the sixth.
The Blue Wahoos were held to just two hits in the game. James Gillheeney (W, 1-0) held Pensacola at bay over 6.0 innings while earning his first win of the season in just his second start with Jackson. The Blue Wahoos lone threat came in the fifth when a walk, single and error loaded the bases with two outs, but the Wahoos couldn’t push across a run.
Daniel Corcino (L, 2-3) went 6.0 innings and was charged with all 5 R/ER on six hits. He walked two and struck out four in his third loss of the season. The bullpen pitched well to finish the game. Mikey O’Brien and Shane Dyer each worked scoreless inning in relief.
The Blue Wahoos will look to rebound on Thursday with RHP Robert Stephenson (2-1, 4.43) on the mound against Generals RHP Jochi Ogando (0-2, 11.37). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m from the Ballpark at Jackson.
Rain Reschedules Softball Playoff Games
April 30, 2014
Severe weather forced the postponement of three area softball playoff games.
The Region 1-7A game between the Tate Aggies and Navarre Raiders has been moved to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The West Florida versus Tallahassee’s Florida High Regiona 1-4A game has been postponed until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The Jay Lady Royals regional semifinal playoff game against South Walton has been moved to Thursday, 2 p.m. at Jay.
Braves Take Series Over Wahoos
April 29, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (10-15) lost the rubber match, 9-6, to the Mississippi Braves (10-15) at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium on Monday night. Mississippi rallied for six runs in the eighth inning to overcome a 4-2 Wahoos lead. The Wahoos dropped three of five in the series to the Braves.
RHP Michael Lorenzen made his fifth start of the season for the Wahoos. Lorenzen gave up two runs in five innings of work and scattered seven hits from the Braves. Drew Hayes relieved Lorenzen and pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh inning. Hayes struck out two and worked out of a jam in the seventh to hold the Wahoos lead. Fabian Williamson (0-2) couldn’t record an out in the 8th inning and was tagged for four runs and the loss.
Juan Silverio continued his early season hot streak, going 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Recently added Beau Amaral had his first RBI with Pensacola on a single in the third inning that scored Ray Chang. Travis Mattair ripped the go-ahead RBI single in the fifth inning and went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Mattair had six RBI in the series against the Braves. The Wahoos scored at least five runs so use the promo code WAHOOS and receive 50% off your entire order Tuesday at PapaJohns.com.
Mississippi’s RHP J.R. Graham pitched well in 4.0 innings of work. Graham gave up four hits and two runs but struck out six Wahoo batters. James Hoyt (1-2) earned his first win of the season with three strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched.
Left fielder Gustavo Nunez’s three-run triple in the top of the eighth proved to be the difference. First baseman Seth Loman hit his fourth home run of the season. Elmer Reyes went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and an RBI.
The Wahoos travel to Jackson to take on the Generals for a five-game set starting on Wednesday. The Wahoos will start RHP Daniel Corcino (2-2, 3.62), Jackson will counter with LHP James Gillheeney (0-0, 3.60).
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lose to the Mississippi Braves 9-6 at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium Monday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former NBA Coach Addresses Bratt Youth Group
April 28, 2014
Former NBA, college and high school basketball coach Roger Dutremble of Global Sports Outreach brought his message to the DNow youth group Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Bratt. The special DNow session was led by church’s College and Career class.
Dutremble is a a retired coach and member of the International Basketball Hall of Fame. He career includes coaching at every level from high school to the NBA, and into international arenas, with a lifetime coaching record of 687-117 and seven national championships. He was selected “Coach of the Year” six times, and served as national team head coach to Belgium, Scotland, and Jordan. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, serving under Paul Westhead and Pat Riley, from 1979-83 and helping the team to three NBA championships with players like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Dutremble hosts a free basketball camp for children and youth each summer at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
Photos by Marcella Wilson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Braves 2-0
April 28, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos evened the series at two games and defeated the Mississippi Braves 2-0 in front of a lively sellout crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The game featured impressive starting pitching from Jon Moscot of the Wahoos (10-14) and Williams Perez of the Braves (9-15).
RHP Jon Moscot had the longest outing of the season for a Wahoo pitcher; Moscot pitched 8.0 innings of three-hit ball. Moscot lowered his ERA to 2.08 thanks to his great day on the mound. RHP James Walczak came on in relief of Moscot and earned his first save of the season with a perfect one-two-three ninth inning.
Both pitchers were on their game and hits were hard to come by on Sunday afternoon. Juan Silverio led off the fifth inning with an infield single and later came home to score. With two outs, Moscot grounded to third baseman Kyle Kubitza who had trouble getting the ball out of his glove allowing the Wahoos pitcher to reach. Moscot’s hustle down the line beat out the throw at first that allowed Silverio to score.
Steve Selsky added an insurance run for the Wahoos when he singled in recently added Beau Amaral from second with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Mississippi’s RHP Williams Perez was tough on Wahoo hitters and allowed just three hits through 7.0 innings of work. Perez continued his early season dominance and he still hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start this season.
The series finale is Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-1, 1.52) will make the start for the Wahoos while Mississippi will send J.R. Graham (0-1, 1.17 ERA) to the mound. Graham is the third best prospect in the Braves organization and Lorenzen is rated as the sixth best prospect in the Reds’ system.
by Tommy Thrall
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 2-0 Sunday. Photos by Michael Spooneybarger/ Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Braves Beat Wahoos 6-3
April 27, 2014
The Mississippi Braves won their second game of the series, 6-3, over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of a sold out crowd at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The Wahoos (9-14) came back from an early 3-0 deficit, but the Braves (9-14) scored three runs in the late innings to pull away.
RHP Robert Stephenson struck out eight batters in his longest outing of the season for the Wahoos. Stephenson gave up six hits including three solo home runs in 6.0 innings of work. Recently added RHP Brooks Pinckard (0-1) came on in relief of Stephenson. Pinckard pitched just 0.1 innings and gave up 2 R/1 ER. RHP Tim Adleman worked out of a jam and gave the Wahoos 2.0 innings of scoreless relief while striking out two.
Juan Silverio led the way for the Wahoos with his second home run in as many nights. Silverio went 1-for-3 with a solo shot. Travis Mattair extended his hit streak to seven games and added an RBI to his ledger. Bryan Anderson had an RBI for the third straight night.
Mississippi’s RHP Jason Hursh made the start and pitched 5.0 innings. Hursh gave up 3 R/ER and allowed four hits while striking out five. RHP Aaron Northcraft (1-1) came on in relief of Hursh and pitched 4.0 innings of perfect ball. Hursh and Northcraft combined to retire the final 19 Wahoo batters to secure the victory.
Mycal Jones, Braeden Schlehuber and Kyle Kubitza provided the solo home runs for the Braves. Kubitza had two solo home runs and went 2-for-4 in the contest. Seth Loman went 1-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly in the seventh. Gustavo Nunez had a three-hit night; the shortstop went 3-for-4 with a double.
The series will continue Sunday at 4 p.m. The Wahoos will send RHP Jon Moscot (0-1, 2.82) to the bump for the fourth game of the series. RHP Williams Perez (2-1, 1.77) will oppose Moscot on Sunday afternoon.
by Tommy Thrall