Flomaton Opens New Canoe Launch
July 19, 2012
The Town of Flomaton has recently completed a new canoe launch on Big Escambia Creek. The entrance is located at the end of the guardrail on Highway 31west of the creek, across from Church’s Chicken.
Big Escambia Creek flows south into Florida and the Escambia River at Century.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Cheerleaders Earn Awards At Auburn Camp
July 18, 2012
The Northview High School cheerleaders received numerous awards during a UCA camp last week at Auburn University.
The junior varsity received all superior ratings as they competed in the small varsity division where they received second place in both cheer and extreme routine. Jadlyn Agerton received a gold superior ribbon in the jump contest. Agerton and Danielle Robinson were also chosen as UCA All-American cheerleaders.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The varsity also received all superior ratings and placed first in the large varsity division for cheer. Shaquanna Jones received a gold superior ribbon in the jump contest. Ashley Mooney, Katelynne Calloway, and Madison Arrington were all chosen as UCA All-American cheerleaders. Calloway and Arrington also received an invitation to try-out for UCA staff.
Ashton Gibbs, Northview’s mascot, received all superior ratings on her evaluations and was selected as the camp champion mascot.
The varsity also won the “Softlips Spirit Stick” for being the best dressed team at the summer splash pirates-themed pep rally.
On the second night of camp, Pryor Middle School and the UCA staff awarded both Northview teams with the coveted “Banana Award” for showing spirit.
Ariel Holland was hand selected by a UCA staff member for the “Pin it Forward” award. Morgan Ward was also pinned by another team’s cheerleader who felt she was positive and exhibited spirit.
Several girls received St. Jude’s pins for bringing in addresses and filling out letters to send to family and friends in order to raise money for the hospital.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Scroll down for squad photos and names.
Varsity
Members of the Northview varsity squad are (front, L-R) Ashley Cunningham, Ariel Holland, Ashley Mooney, Shaquanna Jones, (second row) Chloe Leonard, Courtney Weaver, Katelynne Calloway, Kamryn Brock, Madison Arrington, Hannah Gibson, (back row) Ali Martin, Mallory Ryan, Jessica McCullough, Kendal Cobb and Anna Fischer, Kristen Byrd.
Junior Varsity
Members of the NHS JV squad are (front, L-R) Rebekah Sepulveda, Lana Clayton, Samantha Barrow, (second row) Mariah Albritton, Lauryn Walker, (third row) Morgan Ward, Danielle Robinson, Kaylyn Garnet, Megan Bryan, (fourth row) Katie Born, Jadlyn Agerton, Dariane Guy, and (back) Shnala Banks.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Edges Pensacola Blue Wahoos 5-4 In 10 Innings
July 18, 2012
Suns catcher Kyle Skipworth blasted two home runs and Blue Wahoos shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 110th base of the season, while four Jacksonville relievers combined to yield just two hits over the final four innings to push the Suns to a 5-4 extra-inning victory on Tuesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Jacksonville with the win improved to 12-14 in the second half, while the Fish fell to 15-11 since the league’s All-Star Break. The defeat combined with a Montgomery victory means the two teams are now tied for first in the South Division. Before the game, Woodham High School grad and current Brooklyn Nets forward Reggie Evans was on hand to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
The Blue Wahoos and Suns combined for four longballs in the contest, with Skipworth launching a two-run shot in the second before striking the videoboard in right field with a solo blast two innings later. Six of Skipworth’s ten roundtrippers this year have come against Pensacola.
LF Donald Lutz and 3B David Vidal each left the yard for the Fish, with Lutz’s big fly coming in his first at bat with the club after being promoted from High-A Bakersfield earlier in the day. Lutz launched 17 longballs for the Blaze before joining Pensacola, while the roundtripper for Vidal was his fifth of 2012.
Hamilton reached on an infield single in the fifth before swiping his 110th base of the year, which ties him for the eighth highest single-season steal total in Minor League Baseball history with Maynard DeWitt’s mark from 1946. Hamilton, who is now 35 steaks away from Vince Coleman’s top mark of 145, would then come across on CF Ryan LaMarre’s RBI single to draw the contest even at 3-3.
The Suns however, answered back in the seventh when 1B Ben Lasater singled and moved to second on a free pass before being sent home on CF Donnie Webb’s run-scoring single to right. The Fish would then tie it again in the next inning when LF Josh Fellhauer walked and went to third on a Jacksonville error prior to C Tucker Barnhart’s clutch two-out single up the middle.
Jacksonville then plated the game-winning run in the first extra frame to take the series. SS Chris Gutierrez reached on a base knock and advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a passed ball to set up RF Kyle Jensen, who bounced a single in the hole between third base and shortstop to push the Suns ahead 5-4.
RHP Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) earned the win for Jacksonville to improve to 4-3 this season, while closer A.J. Ramos (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) notched his 12thh save of the year. Schmidt and Ramos combined with Jordan Conley (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Kyle Kaminska (0.1 IP) to give up only two hits in the final four frames. Pensacola reliever Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 6-2 in 2012.
Skipworth (2-5, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Gutierrez (2-5, 1 R) each tallied two hits in the contest for the Suns, while LaMarre (2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and Rojas (2-5) collected multi-hit efforts in the defeat.
The Blue Wahoos have an off-day Wednesday before heading to Mobile for a four-game series with the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the series opener slated for a 7:05 p.m. start.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Perdido Gators Win Beachside Blast Tournament
July 17, 2012
The Perdido Gators wonUSFA Beachside Blasttournament this past weekend in Pace.
The 14U girls fast pitch softball team went undefeated this past weekend, allowing a total of only six runs throughout the tournament. Area girls from Northview, Tate, West Florida, Escambia, Pace, and Gulf Breeze high schools make up the Perdido Gators softball team.
The Gators will be headed to Orlando in August to compete in the USSSA World Series.
Pictured: Members of the Perdido Gators (bottom row, L-R) Ashley Young, Kota Berry, Sara Spears, Kristin Gunter, Morgan Peppers, (top row) Lauren Brennan, Angel Lathan, Olivia Printiss, Sydney Ezelle, Ali Cutaio, Mallory Ryan. Coaches are Tracey Ezelle, Greg Spears, Eddie Ryan, and Jeff Cutaio. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suns Shut Down Wahoos 2-1
July 17, 2012
Jacksonville starting pitcher Graham Taylor held the Blue Wahoos to just three hits in six shutout innings of work, while catcher Kyle Skipworth launched his eighth homer of the year in the sixth, as the Suns defeated Pensacola 2-1 on Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
With the victory, Jacksonville improved to an 11-14 record in the second half and take a 2-1 lead in the series, while Pensacola fell to 15-10 since the league’s All-Star Break.
Taylor (6.0 IP, 3 H, 4 SO) held the Fish bats quiet throughout his six solid frames, yielding just three hits while fanning four to earn the win and bump his season tally to 5-8. Relievers Joshua Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 SO) and A.J. Ramos (1.0 IP, 1 SO) each fired a scoreless inning of relief in support of Taylor, with Schmidt notching his seventh hold and Ramos his 11th save. Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 6-7 on the year.
Jacksonville struck first in the third for the early 1-0 lead. Taylor began the frame with a leadoff single to left before LF Jake Smolinski walked and SS Chris Gutierrez singled to load the bases for 3B Paul Gran. With a full count, Gran took the payoff pitch outside for ball four to bring home Taylor and push the Suns ahead. Jacksonville would then double their advantage in the sixth when Skipworth launched his eighth home run of the year over the right field fence.
Pensacola would then plate their lone score in the following frame thanks to a longball of their own. 1B Beau Mills mashed the 1-0 pitch to deep right field, putting the scoreboard in jeopardy for his seventh homer of the year. It was the second roundtripper in as many nights for Mills, and his fifth in the month of July.
Taylor (2-2, 1 R) and Gutierrez (2-4, 1 BB) each collected a pair of hits for the Suns in the win, while Mills (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record a multi-hit effort. Taylor had come into the contest hitless in his first 18 at bats this year before reaching on singles in both appearances Monday night.
Jacksonville and Pensacola will meet Tuesday night for the final time this year, with first pitch set for 7:00 p.m. at the bayfront stadium. The Fish are slated to send RHP Wirfin Obispo to the mound for the series finale, while the Suns are expected to give the nod to RHP Matthew Neil.
By Andrew Green
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Win 6-2 Over Jacksonville Suns
July 16, 2012
Blue Wahoos starter Daniel Corcino earned his fourth straight victory by surrendering just one run on five hits, while shortstop Billy Hamilton hit an inside-the-park home run in the seventh, as Pensacola defeated the Jacksonville Suns 6-2 on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win improved the Fish’s record to 15-9 in the second half to keep them to at least a share of the Southern League South Division lead with Montgomery, while the loss dropped Jacksonville to a 10-14 mark since the league’s All-Star Break.
Corcino (6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) earned his fourth win in a row and fifth in as many home starts after yielding just a lone earned run on five hits while fanning six in his 6.1 innings of work, while reliever Curtis Partch (1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 SO) notched his sixth hold of the season by firing 1.2 shutout frames in support of Corcino. Suns starter Jose Alvarez (4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 2-5 after allowing four earned runs on six hits in four innings.
With the Blue Wahoos up 4-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, Hamilton led off the frame by lining the first pitch towards right-center field. Suns right fielder Kyle Jensen dove but was unable to make the catch as the Reds’ top prospect flew around the bases without a throw home to complete his third career inside-the-park home run. It was his first since April 19, 2011, when he circled the bases for Low-A Dayton versus Bowling Green.
The Fish got the scoring started early with a three-spot in the second frame. RF Bill Rhinehart began with a double and 3B Miguel Rojas walked, before both came across on C Mark Fleury’s two-run double down the right field line. Fleury would then score on the next pitch when Corcino helped his own cause by lacing a single into center.
The Suns plated their first tally in the subsequent inning to narrow the margin to 3-1. LF Jake Smolinski started the inning with a free pass and took second on a hit by pitch, prior to being sent in on 2B Paul Gran’s single to left.
Pensacola however, would counter right back with a run in the fourth. 1B Beau Mills led off with a double to right, got to third on a single and scored on a double play to move the advantage back up to three.
Following Hamilton’s electric roundtripper in the seventh, Mills left the yard in the eighth with a solo shot to right. It was the sixth longball of the season for Mills and fourth in July. Jacksonville RF Kyle Jensen started the final frame with a big fly to left, his 12thh of the season, but the Suns were kept off the scoreboard after that point.
Mills (2-4, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and Rojas (2-3, 1 R, 1 BB), along with LF Andrew Means (2-4) also collected two base knocks in the contests for the Blue Wahoos, while Gran (2-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and Jensen (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) each tallied multi-hit efforts in the loss.
With the series even at 1-1, Jacksonville and Pensacola will face off again Monday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is expected to get the nod for the Fish, while the Suns have not yet announced their starting pitcher.
By Andrew Green
Daniel Corcino earned his fourth straight win in Pensacola’s 6-2 win Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall To The Suns 6-1; Hamilton Steals No. 109
July 15, 2012
Blue Wahoos shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 109th base of the season, while Jacksonville starter Bryan Evans combined with relievers Jordan Conley and Joshua Schmidt to hold Pensacola to just one run as the Suns topped the Fish 6-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The loss dropped Pensacola to a 14-9 record in the second half, while Jacksonville improved to a 10-13 mark since the league’s All-Star Break. The capacity crowd hosted by the club was the 31st of the year in their 46th home opening of the 2012 campaign. Before the game Gulf Breeze High School graduate and current Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin threw out a ceremonial first pitch, while the Blue Wahoos also sported special jerseys that were auctioned off during the game to help benefit Autism research.
Evans (5.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO) earned the win to improve to 3-6 after yielding the lone earned run on six hits in his 5.1 innings, while Conley (2.2 IP, 1 H, 4 SO) and Schmidt (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) teamed up to allow just two hits in the final 3.2 scoreless frames. Blue Wahoos starter Kyle Lotzkar (4.0 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 SO) suffered the defeat after allowing five runs, four of which were earned, on two hits in four innings.
The Suns struck first in the opening frame, using just one hit to plate three tallies. LF Jake Smolinski was hit by a pitch and SS Chris Gutierrez drew a free pass before a double steal moved both into scoring position. Smolinski would come home when 1B Curt Smith reached on a fielding miscue, while Gutierrez and Smith came plateward thanks to C Kyle Skipworth’s two-run double to center to make it 3-0.
Pensacola would then bring home their only score of the contest in the third. Hamilton began the frame with a walk, stole second and reached third on an error prior to LF Josh Fellhauer’s run-scoring single up the middle. The swiped bag was the fifth for Hamilton since being promoted to the Blue Wahoos from High-A Bakersfield, and his 109thh overall this year. The speedster now ranks ninth all-time in a single season in Minor League baseball history as he continues to chase Vince Coleman’s record of 145 in 1983 while he was with Macon.
Jacksonville would follow with a pair of runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to add to their margin. 2B Paul Gran singled, advanced to second when Smith was hit by a pitch and third on a fielder’s choice before he was sent home on RF Kyle Jensen’s single, while Smith would come across on an RBI groundout. The Suns got their additional insurance run in the following frame when Smolinski scored on a double play.
Wahoos CF Bryson Smith (2-4) and 2B Miguel Rojas (2-4) each collected two hits in the contest for Pensacola, while no Suns batters recorded a multi-hit effort. Skipworth (1-2, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB) however, did reach base three times thanks to a pair of base-on-balls in addition to his two-run double.
The two teams will meet again Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 4:00 p.m. from the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is expected to send RHP Daniel Corcino to the hill, while Jacksonville is slated to give the nod to LHP Jose Alvarez for the second game of the series.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Miguel Rojas recorded two hits in the Wahoos’ 6-1 loss Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Academy Cheerleaders Named AISA State Champs
July 14, 2012
Escambia Academy’s cheerleading squads received multiple awards during a camp this week at Huntington College in Montgomery.
The varsity squad was awarded Home Pom Champs, Extreme Routine champs, AISA Small Squad State Champions, and a Leadership Award. Individual varsity members were also honored. Page Lancaster and Caitlyn Bruley made AISA All Star and UCA All American, and Lancaster was invited to try out for UCA staff.
The junior varsity squad was named Extreme Routine champs and AISA Small Squad State Runner-ups. Individual junior varsity members Bailey Lancsaster and Mikayla Spruill were named UCA All Americans.
Escambia Academy cheerleader sponsors are Bobbi Sasser, varsity, and Katie Brantly, junior varsity.
Pictured top: The Escambia Academy varsity cheerleaders (front, L-R) Co-Captain Caitlyn Bruley, Captain Page Lancaster, (back) Sarah Weatherford, Reagan Bell, Natalie Lassiter, Claire Dawe, Anna Catherine Sasser and Kricket White. Pictured below: The junior varsity Escambia Academy cheerleaders (front, L-R) Co-Captain Bailey Lancaster, Captain Mikayla Spruill, (back) Lanie Allen, Saige Garrett, Kennedy McGhee, Victoria Sawyer, Kallie Byrd and Haley Leachman. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Sweep Twin Bill From Lookouts
July 14, 2012
The Blue Wahoos swept their double header against Chattanooga, taking the first game 2-1 thanks to a seven-inning complete game from starter Tony Cingrani, while a five-run third pushed Pensacola to a 6-1 win in the second contest over the Lookouts as they won their eighth straight series on Friday evening at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
The twin bill sweep, combined with a Montgomery loss tonight, gives the Blue Wahoos a one game lead in the Southern League’s South Division with a 14-8 record in the second half. Chattanooga dropped to 12-10 since the league’s All-Star Break. With the 2-1 series victory over the Lookouts, the Fish have also won each of their last eight series dating back to June 4-7 at Birmingham, the longest such stretch in the Southern League this year.
Pensacola SS Billy Hamilton led off the first contest with a single and then stole second and third to tie for the tenth highest steal total in a single-season in Minor League Baseball history, before drawing a walk in the second game and later swiping second for his 108th stolen base of 2012.
Cingrani (7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) shut down the Chattanooga offense in game one, earning the win after yielding a lone unearned run on just four hits in his seven-inning complete game. It was the first complete game in Blue Wahoos history, as well as the first in the southpaw’s career. Chattanooga starting pitcher Aaron Miller (3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 4-6 on the year after allowing an earned run on four hits in his 3.1 innings pitched.
The Lookouts plated their lone tally against Cingrani in the fourth, when 3B C.F. Retherford doubled and then advanced to third on a ground out prior to taking home on a passed ball. It was the first run given up by Cingrani since June 22 at Chattanooga, ending a team-high stretch of 24.0 consecutive scoreless innings. The Blue Wahoos then scored their two runs in the first contest in the fourth. 3B David Vidal reached on a two-bagger to right and RF Andrew Means drew a free pass, before both were sent in on C Tucker Barnhart’s triple down the right field line.
Chattanooga struck first in the second game of the twin bill, with a tally in the opening frame thanks to a solo shot from CF Nick Buss. The roundtripper was the fifth of the year for the outfielder and first since June 8.
The Fish however, countered back with a five-spot in the third thanks to a pair of clutch extra-base hits. C Mark Fleury began the inning with a single prior to free passes drawn by RF Josh Fellhauer and CF Ryan LaMarre, which loaded the bases for 1B Bill Rhinehart. The first baseman drove the first pitch into deep right-center for a ground-rule double to plate Fleury and Fellhauer to push Pensacola ahead 2-1. After 2B Brodie Greene’s base-on-balls again got the bases full, LF Bryson Smith cleared the bases with a triple to right, making it 5-1.
Following Hamilton’s free pass and steal in the seventh, LaMarre would bring him home from third with a single to center to complete the scoring for the Fish at 6-1.
Pensacola starter Mark Serrano (5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) earned the victory to improve to 6-1 after allowing the lone earned run on just four hits while striking out five, while relievers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 BB), Curtis Partch (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Drew Hayes (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 SO) combined for the final two frames. Lookouts starter Chris Reed (2.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB) suffered the defeat after allowing five earned runs on three hits in 2.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos now head back home to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a four-game set with the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, with first pitch of the series set for Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is expected to get the nod for the Fish, while the Suns’ starter has not yet been announced.
By Andrew Green.
Pictured: Tony Cingrani fired a 7-inning complete game in the 1st game of the twin bill Friday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Wahoos Fall 5-1 In Chattanooga Series Opener
July 12, 2012
Pensacola dropped its series opener with the Chattanooga Lookouts 5-1 at AT&T Field in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, the much anticipated arrival of speedy shortstop Billy Hamilton didn’t disappoint. Hamilton took off for second on the first opportunity he got after reaching on a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning.
He wasted no time stealing his first Double-A base of his career. Hamilton successfully took second immediately after he reached base for the first time on the night for his 105th steal of the season and his first with Pensacola. Hamilton also provided the Blue Wahoos only offense in the game with an RBI triple which plated David Vidal from first base in the eighth. Hamilton finished the game 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Chattanooga got on the board first in the bottom of the fourth when Griff Erickson doubled home Kyle Russell and Jake Lemmerman to give the Lookouts a 2-0 lead. They added two more in the fifth. Rafael Ynoa scored on a wild pitch before Luis Nunez singled home Nick Buss. Despite getting charged with all four Lookouts runs, Blue Wahoos starter Tim Crabbe still pitched out of trouble in the fifth as the Lookouts left the bases loaded. Chattanooga added one more run in the seventh on Nunez’s solo home run.
Josh Fellhauer was the only Wahoos with a multi-hit game going 2-for-4. Both hits were singles for the Wahoos left fielder. Bill Rhinehart also made his debut with Pensacola. He was added to the roster prior to the game from Triple-A Louisville. He went 0-for-4 in his first game with the Wahoos.
Crabbe (3-6) was tagged with the loss after working five innings. He struck out five and walked just three. Matt Magill (7-4) worked six shutout innings in the winning effort for the Lookouts. Pensacola only scattered three hits against him and he struck out seven without issuing a walk.
The series continues on Thursday at AT&T Field. First pitch is slated for 7:15 p.m. ET. LHP Tony Cingrani (4-1, 1.50) will take the mound for the Fish, while LHP Aaron Miller (4-5, 4.31) is slated to toe the rubber for the Lookouts.
By Thommy Thrall
Pictured top: Josh Fellhauer had the Wahoos only multi-hit game of the night Wednesday as Pensacola lost to Chattanooga. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.