10U Storm Wins Seven-Team Louisiana Baseball Tournament
May 14, 2013
The Pensacola Storm 10U Majors baseball team won a weekend tournament in Chalmette, LA.
With a dramatic come from behind victory against Moss Point (MS) Team Elite with two outs in the last inning, the Pensacola Storm rolled into the championship game against the undefeated local area Slidell Scrappers team. The Storm ran up five runs in the first inning and continued that momentum to a 6-2 first place win in the seven team tournament.
With the win, the Pensacola Storm team is 31-11 overall with six first place tournament victories out of 11 USSSA tournaments this season. The Pensacola Storm will travel to the Alabama Super NIT Tournament against some of the nation’s top teams this Friday in Auburn.
Pictured: (bottom row, L-R) Jaxon Topel, Trenton Norton, Tanner Rouchon, Josh Turner, Aaron Noack, (top row) Damarius McGhee, Ian Ladieu, Jackson Penton, Hunter Pierson, Jordan Peacock, Jordan Jarman and Jordan McCants. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Snap Skid, Beat Lookouts 5-1
May 14, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored three runs in the first inning, which was more than enough against the Chattanooga Lookouts as the Wahoos snapped their five-game losing streak with a 5-1 on Monday night in front of 3,629 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Pensacola welcomed two major league rehabbers for the first time in the team’s history and both played just one inning. Manny Parra got the start and gave up a double in the first inning while striking out two. He threw 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. Chris Heisey was involved in two plays in center field in the first inning. He was lifted from the game after the top half of the first for unannounced reasons.
The Wahoos backed up their Major League guests with three early runs, one coming on an RBI single from Travis Mattair and two more coming on a single from Tucker Barnhart.
Ryan Dennick (2-2) took over on the mound for the Wahoos and cruised through his piggyback start, limiting the Lookouts to just two base hits over six frames. Dennick earned the win for the first time since Opening Day.
Pensacola added to its lead with a fourth-inning RBI single from Bryson Smith and an eighth-inning RBI single from David Vidal.
The Lookouts lone run came in the ninth inning as Chris Jacobs doubled home C.J. Retherford with two outs. Loek Van Mil retired Griff Erickson to finish off the game.
The five-game series continues tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Daniel Renken (1-3, 3.67) will get the ball for the Blue Wahoos against the Lookouts’ Andres Santiago (2-4, 4.19).
story by Kevin Burke
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts Monday night. Photos by Gary McCraken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall In Series Opener With Lookouts
May 13, 2013
The Chattanooga Lookouts broke out to a 4-0 lead and never trailed in a 10-4 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Sunday night in front of 4,421 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It was the Wahoos’ fifth straight loss, tying a season high.
The Lookouts were in control from the onset, scoring in the first frame on a fielder’s choice from Blake Smith. They would add to their lead in the third with three two-out runs. Smith doubled home a run and scored on a two-run homer from Chris Jacobs that made it 4-0.
Pensacola battled back in the last of the third, scoring three runs with two outs. Ryan LaMarre sparked the attack with a solo homer, his second of the season. After back-to-back walks, Travis Mattair doubled to right-center to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Lookouts would get a run right back, however, as former Blue Wahoo Miguel Rojas launched his first homer of the year leading off the fourth to make it 5-3.
The Wahoos had numerous chances to get back in the game against an erratic Chattanooga pitching staff, but could never get the tying run across. In the fifth, Pensacola had the bases loaded and one out before Danny Vicioso grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the sixth, Brodie Greene cut the Lookouts’ lead to 5-4 with a one-out double but he was stranded at third as the tying run. Two innings later, Greene doubled with one out but he was caught stealing when he was hung up between second and third on a ball in the dirt.
That play changed the momentum as Chattanooga put the game out of reach with a five-run ninth inning. C.J. Retherford provided the biggest blow with a three-run pinch-hit double to make it 8-4 followed by Jan Vazquez providing the exclamation point with a two-run homer off the videoboard in right field to account for the final margin.
Chad Rogers (2-2) was charged with the loss in his roughest outing of the year, yielding five runs on eight hits in five innings.
Pensacola wasn’t able to fully capitalize on nine base hits and 10 walks issued from Chattanooga pitching as the Wahoos tied a season-high with 12 runners left on base. Michael Thomas (1-0) was given the win in relief by firing 2.1 scoreless frames and striking out four.
The five-game series continues on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It will be a battle of southpaws as Ryan Dennick (1-2, 3.44) goes for Pensacola against Chattanooga’s Chris Reed (1-3, 5.02).
story by Kevin Burke
Pictured: Ryan LaMarre led the Pensacola attack by going 3-for-3 with a homer and an RBI. (Christopher Nelson)
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Drop Fourth Straight 7-2
May 12, 2013
The Jacksonville Suns took advantage of a key Pensacola error in the fifth inning, scoring four unearned runs en route to a 7-2 win over the Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
With the game scoreless headed to the last of the fifth, Noah Perio grounded a ball to first baseman Joe Mather who had the bouncer deflect off his glove, allowing Perio to reach safely. That opened the floodgates for the Suns against Wahoos starter Tim Crabbe. After a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch moved Perio to third, Christian Yelich brought him home with a sacrifice fly. Jake Marisnick and Kyle Jensen then launched back-to-back solo homers to make it 3-0. Mark Canha would single home the fourth run of the inning two batters later following a Ryan Fisher double.
Crabbe (2-2) took the loss for Pensacola despite not giving up an earned run. He gave up the four unearned tallies on seven base hits in five innings.
Meanwhile, Jacksonville starter Adam Conley (2-1) mowed through the Pensacola lineup giving up just a fifth-inning bunt single from Devin Lohman over six frames while facing the minimum as Lohman was caught stealing.
Bryson Smith snapped the Wahoos’ scoreless innings streak at 15 frames with a seventh-inning solo homer, his third round-tripper of the season. Smith went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI to lead the Pensacola attack.
Jacksonville would put the game out of reach in the eighth inning against the combination of Drew Hayes and Shaun Ellis. Perio, Yelich, and Marisnick all brought home runs in a three-fun frame that gave the Suns a 7-1 lead.
Pensacola added a tally in the top of the ninth when Travis Mattair scored on a two-out single from Ryan LaMarre, but Michael Brady got Mather to ground out to end the game.
The Wahoos now return home for a season-long 10-game homestand starting on Sunday with the first of five against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Chad Rogers (2-1, 1.51) will try to stop Pensacola’s four game skid against Chattanooga’s Zach Lee (3-2, 2.15). First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
story by Kevin Burke
Pictured: Devin Lohman was 2-for-3 with a double in Pensacola’s 7-2 loss on Saturday night. (Emmele Photography).
Holmes County Ends Northview’s Playoff Run
May 11, 2013
Holmes County won the Regional 1A title Friday night in Bonifay, defeating the Northview Chiefs 3-0.
Holmes County took a 2-0 lead after the first inning, expanding their lead to 3-0 with single from Corey Wilson in the second inning. The Blue Devils advance to the state semifinals next week in Fort Myers.
Kevin Vaughn pitched three for the Chiefs, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 0 K.
Chason Freeman was 1-3 for Northview, while Chad Smith was 0-1.
The Blue Devils were the district champs, having beat Northview on April 25. During the regular season, it was an even split. The Chiefs end their first season under first-year head coach Marty Lister at 10-9. Northview has never made the baseball final four in school history.
Pictured: The Northview Chiefs take on Holmes County Friday in Bonifay for the Regional 1A title. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Jax Beats Pcola 1-0
May 11, 2013
Audy Ciriaco delivered the game-winning single on a looping line drive over second baseman Brodie Greene in the bottom of the ninth to score Ryan Fisher from third to give Jacksonville a 1-0 win on Friday night at Bragan Field in Jacksonville. The loss is the third straight for Pensacola.
Blue Wahoos starter Josh Smith pitched brilliantly over six shutout innings. He surrendered just three hits while fanning a season-high nine batters, including a span of six consecutive batters from the second inning to the fourth. Loek Van Mil pitched well out of the bullpen for the Blue Wahoos with two scoreless innings. Josh Ravin had two strikes on Ciriaco before he delivered the game winning hit with two outs in the ninth. Ravin (L, 0-2) was handed his second loss of the season. Collin Carill (W, 1-1) earned the win for Jacksonville after pitching the final two innings for the Suns.
Offensively the Wahoos had only three hits. Third baseman David Vidal had two of them as part of a 2-for-4 game to extend his hit-streak to four games. The Blue Wahoos only threat came in the top of the ninth when they had runners at second and third with two outs. It was the only time the Blue Wahoos had a runner at third base in the game.
Pensacola will try to salvage the final game of the five-game series on Saturday night. RHP Tim Crabbe (2-1, 2.60) will start for the Blue Wahoos against Suns LHP Adam Conley (1-1, 5.88). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT from Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
by
Four Northview Seniors Sign Sports Scholarships
May 10, 2013
Four Northview High School seniors signed college athletic scholarships Thursday morning.
Morgan Smith and Morgan Payne both signed volleyball scholarships with Jefferson Davis Community College in Brewton. Ariel Holland signed a cheerleading scholarship with Faulker State Community College in Bay Minette, and shortstop Shaquanna Jones signed a softball scholarship with Southern University in Baton Rouge.
Pictured top: (L-R) Morgan Smith, Morgan Payne, Ariel Holland and Shaquanna Jones. Pictured below: The seniors sign their scholarships as family and school staff look on. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate’s Ward Signs Basketball Scholarship With Palm Beach State
May 9, 2013
Tate High School senior point guard Jardae Ward has signed a scholarship with Palm Beach State College. She signed her scholarship in the school’s Fryman Gym in front her teammates, ROTC members and classmates. Pictured: Jardae Ward (left) signs her Palm Beach State College scholarship as her mother, Gwendolyn Ward, looks on. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Beat Paxton In Region 1-1A Semifinals
May 8, 2013
The Northview Chiefs scored seven runs in the final two innings Tuesday night to beat Paxton 8-3 in the Region 1-1A semifinal.
A couple of errors and three hits let to four runs in the top of the sixth for the Northview Chiefs, plus Chad Smith and Jason Freeman had singles. In the top of the seventh, the Chiefs scored three more unearned runs on errors by the Bobcats.
Northview will travel to Holmes County (Bonifay) in the regional finals at 7 p.m. Friday. Holmes County is coming off a 4-2 semi-final win over Central. Admission will be $7 for all ages.
Blue Wahoos Go 13 Innings To Down Jacksonville Suns
May 8, 2013
The third time was the charm for the Blue Wahoos on Tuesday night at Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Pensacola took the lead in the game’s potential final inning three times before hanging on for the 5-4 win over the Jacksonville Suns. It is the second-straight win for the Blue Wahoos after snapping the longest losing streak of the season on Sunday.
Jacksonville’s Christian Yelich was the story of the game for the Suns. He accounted for two of the Suns four runs by going 5-for-6 and finishing a double shy of the cycle, despite hitting a pair of triples. His first three-bagger led to the game’s first run against Wahoos starter Chad Rogers in the bottom of the first inning.
Pensacola drew even when Tucker Barnhart singled home Ryan LaMarre in the fourth inning. Jacksonville reclaimed the lead in the sixth, when Derek Dietrich scored on a hit by pitch of Audy Ciriaco with the bases loaded. Three straight walks opened the inning, but Dietrich’s run was all the Wahoos would allow the Suns to score. Lee Hyde picked off Ciriaco at first for the second out before coaxing a groundout by Noah Perio to end the threat.
The Blue Wahoos quickly answered by taking advantage of a leadoff double from Bryson Smith in the top of the seventh. Michael Gilmartin delivered an RBI single which plated Smith and tied the game at two. Pensacola took its first lead of the game in the top of the ninth. Steve Selsky brought home Smith from second with a base hit. The Suns drew even in the bottom of the ninth with three hits against Wahoos reliever Drew Hayes to tie the game at 3-3 and force extra innings.
After each team traded zeros in the 10 th and 11 th innings, Pensacola broke through against Jacksonville reliever Collin Cargill with a run in the 12 th. Again, it was a leadoff hit that led to a run as it was with the previous two runs. Brodie Greene led the inning off with a single, and scored on a soft roller up the first base line from Barnhart that was misplayed by Suns first baseman Mark Canha. Yelich then homered in the bottom of the 12 th to send the game to the 13 th when Pensacola reclaimed the lead for the final time.
Gilmartin drew a leadoff walk and scored from second on another Greene single. That proved to be the game-winner as Wilkin De La Rosa retired the Suns in order to end the game. Despite allowing the home run to Yelich, De La Rosa earned the win. Cargill gave up the Wahoos runs in the 12 th and 13 th and was saddled with the loss. Blue Wahoos starter Chad Rogers got a no-decision after working five innings, allowing just one run and matching his career-high with eight strikeouts.
Pensacola and Jacksonville will continue their series with a matinee on Wednesday from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. First pitch is slated for 12:05 p.m. CT. Pensacola will start LHP Ryan Dennick (1-2, 3.86) against Suns RHP Sam Dyson (0-2, 2.96).
story by Tommy Thrall