Blue Wahoos Split Twin Bill With BayBears
August 18, 2012
After Pensacola shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 142nd base in their 4-1 loss in the first game of their double header to Mobile, the Blue Wahoos pounded out 14 hits, including homers from third baseman David Vidal and first baseman Beau Mills in their 10-2 victory over the BayBears in game two to split their twinbill on Friday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
With the split, the Fish moved to 28-26 in the second half of the season and now stand three games behind the Montgomery Biscuits for first in the South Division. Mobile following the double header now owns a 22-32 mark since the midway point of the year.
The Blue Wahoos struck first in the opening frame game one, with LF Bryson Smith driving home RF Andrew Means after Means doubled to center and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Mobile however, answered back with four tallies to take the night’s opener.
RF Alfredo Marte provided the power for two of the BayBears four scores, with solo homers in the fourth and sixth frames. The outfielder has now tallied 20 longballs this season, which ranks him fourth in the Southern League.
Mobile also plated two tallies in the fifth to complete their output. 1B Matt Mangini and LF Brent Clevlen both began with walks, before Mangini took advantage of a Blue Wahoos fielding miscue, while Clevlen moved to third on the play. 2B Dan Kaczrowski would then bring home Clevlen with an RBI single to left.
BayBears starter Brett Tomko (5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) earned the win in the first game after yielding the lone earned run on five hits in his five frames, while Eury De La Rosa (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) notched his sixth save of the year with a scoreless ninth. Blue Wahoos RHP Kyle Lotzkar (4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss after giving up three earned runs on two hits in four frames.
Marte (2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI) was the lone Mobile hitter to record a multi-hit effort, while 1B Donald Lutz (2-4) and 3B David Vidal (2-3) collected two base knocks for Pensacola. Hamilton singled in the first inning and stole second for his 142nd steal of the year, which brings him three away from Vince Coleman’s record of 145, set in 1983.
The Blue Wahoos bats got hot in the second contest, led by roundtrippers from Vidal and Mills. Vidal lifted a three-run blast to left in the third, while Mills mashed his team-leading ninth, a two-run shot, to right in the following frame. The third baseman would then add a second homer in the seventh, a solo blast to make it 10-1. Pensacola tallied four first inning runs to take command of the contest early on.
Hamilton led off with a single, moved to second on an error and third on a sacrifice bunt prior to coming across when LF Bryson Smith reached on an error. The Fish then collected four straight hits, including an RBI single from Lutz and a two-run double by 2B Brodie Greene to cap the four-run frame. Mills (3-4, 3 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI), Lutz (3-4, 2 R, 1 RBI), Vidal (3-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI) and Greene (2-4, 2 RBI) combined to hit 11-for-16 with seven runs, three homers and eight RBI in the second game.
Pensacola starting pitcher Mark Serrano (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 7 SO) earned the win allowing just one earned run on five hits while fanning seven in 5.2 innings of work, while Mobile RHP Brett Lorin (4.0 IP, 12 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 3 SO) suffered the loss. Serrano’s seven strikeouts were a season-high for the right-hander, who also retired 15 straight batters at one point.
The two teams will face off in the rubber match of the series Saturday evening, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. in Mobile. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to get the nod for the Blue Wahoos, while RHP Chase Anderson is slated to get the ball for the BayBears.
The next Blue Wahoos homestand begins on Sunday, August 19 at 4:00 p.m., with Pensacola hosting the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays for a five-game series.
By Andrew Green
Picture top: David Vidal blasted two homers as the Fish split their twin bill with Mobile Friday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Football Camp (With Gallery)
August 16, 2012
The Northview Chiefs recently held a one day football camp for players eight years to eighth grade. The young Chiefs will be recognized during halftime of the first home Northview football game.
Pictured: A recent Northview high School Chiefs football camp for young players. Submitted photos by Amy Holland for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Linebacker With Local Ties Signs With Miami Dolphins
August 16, 2012
A linebacker with local ties signed Wednesday with the Miami Dolphins.
Josh Linam, son of Atmore resident Kevin Linam, joins Miami after being released by the San Diego Chargers on an injury waiver. He had sprained his ankle and bruised a bone during training in Orlando.
Tampa Bay called a few days into rehab, Kevin Linam said. Then Tuesday he received the call from Miami and worked out just three hours with the Dolphins before being signed on Wednesday.
Linam will wear number 89 and play middle linebacker for the Dolphins. He will join Miami against the Carolina Panthers Friday at 7 p.m. CDT.
He originally was signed by San Diego on April 30, 2012, as an undrafted free agent from the University of Central Florida. He played in 50 career games in college, finishing with 165 tackles, three sacks, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three interceptions. Linam attended Tavares High School, where he earned four letters in football.
Photo courtesy Miami Dolphins for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Late Runs Sink Wahoos 4-2
August 16, 2012
The Mobile BayBears came from behind on Wednesday night to beat the Blue Wahoos 4-2 at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The BayBears plated four runs in the eighth inning to overcome the Blue Wahoos 2-0 advantage. With a win by Montgomery, the Blue Wahoos are now three games back in the Southern League South.
Tony Cingrani worked five scoreless innings in the start for the Blue Wahoos. He struck out 10 without issuing a walk while allowing just five hits. He lowered his full-season MiLB-best ERA to 1.45. He also chipped in offensively with a pair of hits and a run scored.
Billy Hamilton helped produce the game’s first run. He led off the game with a walk and stole second and third base which allowed him to score on a groundout by Josh Fellhauer. Those were his only stolen bases of the game giving him 141 on the season. He is now four steals shy of tying the record.
Cingrani scored the second run in the third inning. He scored from second on a Ryan LaMarre single giving Pensacola a 2-0 lead.
The game stayed that way until the bottom of the eighth. Chris Owings singled on an 0-2 pitch with runners at first and second to plate the BayBears first run of the game. Alfredo Marte followed with a double on the next pitch driving home Owings to tie the game. Marte later scored on a base hit from Ryan Strieby for the go-ahead and winning run. The final run scored on a throwing error to make it a 4-2 advantage. Three of the four runs were charged to Brian Pearl (1-3) who took the loss for the Blue Wahoos after one inning of work.
Eury De La Rosa worked a perfect ninth for the save out of the BayBears bullpen. Eric Smith (3-1) worked two scoreless innings for the win in relief.
LaMarre (2-for-4) had the only multi-hit game for the Blue Wahoos.
The series continues on Thursday when RHP Kyle Lotzkar (4-5) takes the mound against RHP Brett Tomko (No Record) who will make his BayBears debut. First pitch is set for 7:05.
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoo Opens BayBears Series With 9-5 Win In Mobile
August 15, 2012
The Blue Wahoos plated three runs in the top of the fourth and again in the ninth on their way to a 9-5 win over the Mobile BayBears in the series opener at Hank Aaron Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Wahoos pounded out 15 hits in the winning effort. Donald Lutz led the way offensively for Pensacola with a 4-for-5 game including a pair of home runs. His last, was a two-run shot in the top of the ninth to give the Blue Wahoos some needed insurance.
After breaking a scoreless tie with a run in the third, the Wahoos opened up their lead with three runs in the fourth. Tucker Barnhart, Billy Hamilton and Josh Fellhauer all drove in runs in the inning to make it 4-0. Lutz blasted his first of two home runs on the night in the fifth to make is 5-0.
Mobile battled back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth on two solo home runs. Matt Davidson hit the first before Ryan Strieby hit the second two batters later. Those were the only two runs Blue Wahoos starter Chad Rogers (3-0) allowed on his way to his third win in as many starts.
After Pensacola added a run in the eighth, the BayBears added some suspense in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Mobile scored three runs off Wahoos reliever Curtis Partch. Justin Freeman struck out Strieby for the final out of the inning with the tying run at third. He stayed on to work a 1-2-3 ninth after the Wahoos played three more runs in the top of the ninth to pad the lead. Lutz’s second home run of the game, a two-run blast, highlighted Pensacola’s second three-run inning of the game.
Rogers worked six innings in the start for Pensacola and allowed just four hits without walking a batter in the winning effort. Freeman (14) retired all four batters he faced for the save. Derek Eitel(7-10) took the loss after surrendering five runs, all earned, on nine hits over six innings for the BayBears.
Hamilton was thrown out at second base in his only stolen base attempt of the game. He remains just six steals shy of the all-time single-season record with 139.
The series continues on Wednesday in Mobile. LHP Tony Cingrani (5-3, 1.94) will get the nod for Pensacola against RHP Mike Bolsinger (4-2, 3.76) of Mobile. First pitch is set for 7:05 from Hank Aaron Stadium.
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Topple Lookouts 7-3 To Take Series
August 13, 2012
Blue Wahoos shortstop Billy Hamilton collected three hits, drove home three runs and stole three bases, while Brodie Greene and Bryson Smith recorded multi-hit efforts and starting pitcher Wirfin Obispo fired six strong innings as Pensacola topped the Chattanooga Lookouts 7-3 on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The victory gave the Fish a 3-2 series win over the Lookouts, and improved their record to 26-24 in the second half to remain within two games of Jacksonville and Montgomery for the South Division lead, pending the final outcomes of their contests on Sunday evening. Chattanooga fell to 28-22 since the midpoint of the season with the defeat.
With his three thefts, Hamilton has now taken 139 bases this year and is now seven away from breaking Vince Coleman’s all-time single-season record of 145, which he set in 1983. Along with Hamilton (3-4, 2 R, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 BB), Smith (2-4, 1 RBI) and Greene (2-2, 2 R, 2 BB) also accumulated a multi-hit effort for Pensacola.
The Lookouts got on the board in the opening frame to snag an early 2-0 advantage. CF Anthony Jackson led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, before being sent in on 1B J.T. Wise’s run-scoring single to center. RF Brahiam Maldonado would then mash a solo blast to left later in the inning, his sixth of the year, to push the margin to two.
Pensacola however, would plate two tallies in the third, fourth and six frames to take a four-run lead. Hamilton walked, stole second and then third as part of a double steal with CF Ryan LaMarre, who also reached on a base-on-balls, before coming across on an RBI single off the bat of RF Bryson Smith. LaMarre later scored on 1B Beau Mills’ run-scoring base knock to left.
Hamilton would then bring home two runs in the fourth with a single to left, scoring Greene, who singled, and C Mark Fleury, who was hit by a pitch. The speedster would drive home Greene again in the sixth after Greene walked with a triple to center, before Hamilton was plated on LaMarre’s base hit to left, making it 6-2.
The two clubs would follow by swapping single scores in the seventh, with Pensacola keeping their four-run lead. Chattanooga SS Jake Lemmerman drew a leadoff free pass, got to second on a groundout and third on Luis Nunez’s single before coming home on Jackson’s RBI groundout. Mills was hit by a pitch while 3B David Vidal singled in the bottom of the frame, with both runners advancing a base on a groundout, before Mills scored on pinch hitter Tucker Barnhart’s run-scoring knock to left.
Obispo (6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) earned his fourth consecutive victory after giving up just two earned runs on five hits while fanning five in six innings, while closer Justin Freeman (1.1 IP, 1 H) notched his 13th save for Pensacola. Lookouts starter Chris Reed (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 0-4 after yielding four earned runs on six hits in four innings of work.
Freeman extended his scoreless innings streak to 24.0 frames, tying LHP Tony Cingrani’s team-record. Freeman has not allowed a run in his last 19 appearances dating back to June 22.
Following an offday Monday, the Blue Wahoos will head to Mobile for a five-game series with the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Mobile BayBears. The next Blue Wahoos homestand begins on Sunday, August 19, with Pensacola hosting the Montgomery Biscuits, the Double-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.
By Andrew Green
Wirfin Obispo earned his fourth straight win in the Wahoos’ 7-3 victory Sunday.Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County’s Justin Gatlin And Team Take Silver Olympic Medal
August 12, 2012
Escambia County’s Olympian and team matched a world record but took the silver Saturday in the men’s 4×100 meter relay.
Justin Gatlin of Pensacola, Trell Kimmons, Tyson Gay and Ryan Bailey finished in an American record time of 37.04 seconds Saturday evening at London’s Olympic Stadium.
The gold medal went to Jamaica, which shattered the world record with a time of 36.84 seconds, improving the world standard by 0.2 seconds. By comparison, the U.S. team’s effort matched the world record that was surpassed by Jamaica and is the second-fastest result of all time in the event. Trinidad and Tobago won the bronze medal with a time of 38.12 seconds after Canada finished third but was disqualified.
Gatlin finished third last weekend in the 100m dash for an individual bronze medal.
Gatlin had waited eight years to get back on the podium. The 2004 Olympic 100-meter champion, Gatlin served a doping ban.
“I went out there to challenge a mountain,” Gatlin said last weekend. “I went out there to challenge the odds.”
Chattanooga Tops Blue Wahoos
August 12, 2012
Lookouts first baseman J.T. Wise blasted a three-run homer as part of a four-run seventh inning, while Blue Wahoos right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded a three-hit game and drove home three runs, as Chattanooga defeated Pensacola 6-4 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the win the Lookouts bumped their second half record up to 28-21 on the year. The Fish fell to 25-24 on the year and remain two games behind Jacksonville for first place in the South Division. It was the 36th sellout crowd the Blue Wahoos have hosted in their 58th home opening of their inaugural season. Prior to the contest, NASCAR driver and Pensacola native Johanna Long was honored on-field and threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
With Chattanooga trailing 3-2 entering the seventh, pinch hitter Brahiam Maldonado began the rally with a single and moved to second on a walk before scoring on a Pensacola error to even the margin. Two pitches later, Wise blasted his three-run homer over the left field wall for his seventh longball of the year, which put the Lookouts up 6-3.
The Blue Wahoos however, mounted a comeback effort in the final two innings. Hamilton reached on a walk and stole second for his 136th theft of the season, before being brought home on Fellhauer’s run-scoring base knock to center to cut the deficit to two. Pensacola then put the tying run on base in the final frame, but Chattanooga closer Steven Ames shut the door to end the Blue Wahoos’ comeback thoughts.
Both teams traded longballs for the first scores of the contest, with the Fish striking first in the opening inning courtesy of Fellhauer’s fourth big fly of the year, which landed on the Hill Kelly Hill to right-center. Lookouts 2B Joe Becker blasted his first roundtripper of the year in the second frame to tie it at 1-1. Fellhauer would then put Pensacola back ahead 2-1 with his RBI single to right in the third.
Fellhauer (3-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) with his three base knocks was the lone hitter from either side to record a multi-hit effort. With Hamilton’s stolen base in the eighth, the speedster is now just 10 away from breaking Vince Coleman’s single-season record of 145, with 21 games remaining.
Chattanooga starting pitcher Zach Lee (6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned the win after giving up three earned runs on eight hits in his six innings of work, while closer Steven Ames (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 SO) notched his 15th save of the season for the Lookouts. Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) did not factor in the final decision after allowing two earned runs on just two hits in five innings, while RHP Drew Hayes (1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) suffered the defeat to fall to 2-3.
Pensacola and Chattanooga will now meet Sunday afternoon for the rubber match of the series, with first pitch set for 4:00 p.m. The Blue Wahoos are scheduled to send RHP Wirfin Obispo to the mound, while the Lookouts are expected to give the ball to LHP Chris Reed.
By Andrew Green
Josh Fellhauer recorded three hits and a homer in the Wahoos’ 6-4 loss Saturday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Lookouts Beat Pensacola 4-2
August 11, 2012
Chattanooga third baseman C.J. Retherford blasted two solo home runs and reliever Wes Roemer fired four solid innings of relief, while Pensacola shortstop Billy Hamilton swiped two more bases, as the Lookouts topped the Blue Wahoos 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The loss, coupled with Jacksonville’s victory over Mobile, dropped the Blue Wahoos to 25-23 in the second half and two games behind the Suns for first place in the Southern League South Division. Chattanooga with the win now owns a 59-57 mark since the midway point of the season. The capacity crowd was the 35th the Blue Wahoos have hosted at the bayfront stadium in their inaugural season.
Retherford collected his solo shots in the second and seventh frames, with his second roundtripper turning out to be the game-winning hit. The Florida native has now totaled three roundtrippers at the Double-A level after blasting 20 with High-A Rancho Cucamonga prior to his promotion. The 26-year-old also collected two multi-homer efforts with the Quakes earlier this season.
The Lookouts struck first in the opening frame, with 2B Rafael Ynoa starting off the contest with a walk and stealing second prior to being sent in on an RBI triple from CF Nick Buss. Pensacola would then answer in the bottom of the frame with two scores to grab a 2-1 advantage.
Hamilton drew a free pass and then stole second and third, while CF Ryan LaMarre was hit by a pitch to load the bases. 1B Donald Lutz then drew a bases-loaded walk to plate Hamilton before LaMarre scored later on a fielder’s choice. Chattanooga however, would draw the contest even at 2-2 courtesy of Retherford’s first homer of the evening.
With Hamilton’s two steals, the speedster is now just ten away from tying Vince Coleman’s single-season Minor League record of 145, which he set in 1983. Including tonight, the 21-year-old has already stolen 18 bases in just ten games in the month of August.
The Lookouts would add an additional insurance run in the eighth for their final tally. 1B Luis Nunez walked and then moved to third on a two-base error, before coming home when RF Blake Smith reached on the second Blue Wahoos fielding miscue of the inning.
Chattanooga reliever Wes Roemer (4.0 IP, 4 H, 5 SO) earned the victory after yielding just four hits while striking out five in four shutout innings, while LHP Steven Rodriguez (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) shut the door in the ninth for his first save of the year. Pensacola starter Kyle Lotzkar (6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO) did not factor in the decision despite allowing just two earned runs on four hits in his six innings of work, while RHP Josh Ravin (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss for the Blue Wahoos.
With the Fish leading the series 2-1, the two teams are scheduled to square off again Saturday night, with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is slated to give the nod to RHP Daniel Corcino, while Chattanooga is expected to counter with RHP Zach Lee.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Adds Strength, Conditioning Classes For Girls, Needs Donations
August 10, 2012
Northview High School will offer strength and conditioning classes for girls this school year, and organizers are looking for donations to make the program a success.
The program was not established prior to students registering for classes. Girls that are involved with fall sports are being encouraged to sign up for the class. Parents of athletes participating in cross country, volleyball, weightlifting and cheerleading should call the school guidance department and make scheduled changes as soon as possible.
The girls’ weight room is in need of donations, according to Coach Natalie Nall.
“We are in need of cardio equipment and weight training equipment that works; treadmill, stair climber, elliptical machine, row machines, weights, bars, leg press, jump boxes, medicine balls, or etc.,” she said. “We also have broken equipment that needs a fatherly touch or jump boxes that could be created.”
For more information on how you can volunteer or donate equipment, contact Nall at nnelson@escambia.k12.fl.us or call the school at (850) 327-6681.
Nall said the girls’ athletic programs at Northview have lacked strength and conditioning classes to physically prepare athletes and help prevent injuries. With more time after school to work on strategies, she said it could lead to a healthier lifestyle and more athletic scholarships for girls.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.