VIDEO: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Kidnap Mobile Baybears’ Mascot
June 14, 2012
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have released a video of the kidnapping of Baby Bear, the Mobile BayBears’ mascot, in anticipation of the Bay to Bay Series in Pensacola that continues through Sunday.
Courtesy Pensacola Blue Wahoos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
(If you do not see the video above, it is because your work or home firewall is blocking external videos.)
Tri-County Beats Atmore For 8U District Championship
June 13, 2012
The Tri-County All-Stars beat Atmore 5-4 Tuesday evening at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill to claim the 2012 8U Machine Pitch District Baseball Tournament.
Scores from the tournament were as follows:
Atmore 14, Northwest Escambia 2
Tri-County 14, Atmore 2
Atmore 12, Northwest Escambia 3
Tri-County 5, Atmore 4
Members of the Tri-County All- Stars are: Cason Burkett, Andrew Diamond, Cole Dunsford, Kaitlyn Gafford, Jamarcus Jefferson, Landry Locklin, Todd Macks, Caden Odom, Devin Sauls, Bryson Scott, Nathan Smarr, and Preston Smith. Coaches are Shane Burkett, Jamie Gafford, Frank Smarr and Rusty Steele.
Pictured: The Tri-County All Stars celebrate Tuesday after winning the 2012 8U Machine Pitch District Baseball Tournament in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com photos submitted by Hollie Sims, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Washed Out
June 12, 2012
Inclement weather and the resulting field conditions forced the fifth and final game of the series between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the Birmingham Barons to be cancelled in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Wahoos up 2-1 on Monday night at Regions Park in Hoover, AL. The game is not expected to be made up, and all events that took place in the game will be erased from stats.
The Blue Wahoos took each of the first four contests of the series over the Barons and will now return home to Pensacola for a five-game series with the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, with the first game slated for a 7:00 start on Wednesday evening. Fans attending Wednesday’s game are encouraged to show their support for their state’s school with a Florida vs. Alabama theme that night for the Bay-to-Bay Series with Mobile.
Wahoos Take Fourth Straight With 4-3 Win In 10 Over Birmingham
June 11, 2012
It took 10 innings, but the Blue Wahoos have extended their win-streak to a season-high four games with a 4-3 win over the Birmingham Barons on Sunday evening at Regions Park in Hoover, Al. The win marks the first time Pensacola has won four games in a series since the season-opening series with the Montgomery Biscuits in early April (5-9).
The Blue Wahoos got it started with a single tally in the top of the first inning. Joel Guzman drove home Josh Fellhauer from third with a sacrifice fly to right field. The lead was short lived. Birmingham was quick to answer with a run against Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran in the bottom of the first. The Barons loaded the bases, but only scored one run. Sulbaran was able to coax a double play ball out of Seth Loman to end the threat.
The Blue Wahoos reclaimed the lead in the third. Josh Fellhauer doubled with one out and scored two batters later on a two-base hit by Guzman, his second RBI of the game. Didi Gregorius walked and scored on an RBI single by David Vidal to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-1 advantage.
The Barons got a leadoff single against Sulbaran in the top of the second before he proceeded to retire the next 10 batters he faced through the first batter in the fifth inning. They got to the Wahoos starter for three singles in the fifth, but didn’t score. The Barons evened the game with back-to-back home runs in the sixth by Tyler Saladino and Seth Loman to make it 3-3. Pensacola’s bullpen kept the game tied as five relievers combined to work 4.2 scoreless innings.
In the top of the 10th, Mark Fleury singled to open the inning before Gregorius singled him home from second with two outs. That proved to be the winning run as Justin Freeman (2) worked a perfect bottom of the 10th to earn his second save of the season. Drew Hayes (1-2) pitched a one-two-three ninth and got credit for the win. Kyle Bellamy (0-1) took the loss after surrendering the winning run in the 10th inning.
The Blue Wahoos look to earn their first series sweep in franchise history as they wrap up the five-game set on Monday. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander Daniel Corcino (2-4, 3.77) to the mound against lefty Matt Wickswatt (1-4, 13.32). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. from Regions Park in Hoover, Al.
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Auburn Shooter On The Run; AU Players Among Six Shot, Three Killed
June 10, 2012
A massive regional manhunt is underway for 22-year old Desmonte Leonard of Montgomery after six people were shot and three died during a shootout at an Auburn apartment complex Saturday night.
At about 10:03 p.m. Saturday, the Auburn Police Division responded to a report of shots fired in the area of a clubhouse at the University Heights apartments located in the 200 block of West Longleaf Drive.
When officers arrived on the scene they located multiple gunshot victims — former Auburn football player Edward J. Christian, age 20, of Valdosta, GA, was pronounced dead at the scene by Lee County Coroner Bill Harris. Two others, former Auburn player Ladarious K. Phillips, age 20, of Roanoke, AL, and Demario A. Pitts, age 20, of Opelika, AL, were transported by ambulance to East Alabama Medical Center where they were pronounced dead.
Three additional victims, Xavier D. Moss, age 19, and John Q. Robertson, age 20, both of Roanoke, AL, and current Auburn football player Eric R. Mack, age 20, of Cameron, SC, were transported by ambulance to EAMC for treatment of gunshot wounds. Moss was treated and released while Mack was admitted to EAMC and Robertson was transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. Mack was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon.
Auburn police say they have a motive in the shooting, but they are not yet releasing it.
The shooter, who fled the scene in a vehicle along with two other men, has been identified as Leonard, according to police. The vehicle was later found abandoned off Wire Road in Macon County, AL.
Warrants for three counts of capital murder have been obtained on Leonard and officers are working to determine his whereabouts. Police are also working to locate and question the two men who fled with Leonard. Their identities are not being released at this time.
“This is a sad, sad day for everyone associated with the entire Auburn family. I am devastated by the passing of three young men, including two that I personally knew in Ed Christian and Ladarious Phillips and my heart goes out to their families,” Auburn head football coach Gene Chizik said.
“My thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of the victims involved in this tragic incident. Nobody should ever have to endure such unimaginable grief, and we will love and support the victims’ families during this terribly difficult time. We have a lot of people on our football team that are hurting right now and we’re going to do everything we can to help them get through this. We are relieved that Eric Mack, who was also a victim in this incident, is expected to make a full recovery. This is a very trying time for everyone involved, and I would just ask that you lift up the victims and their families in your prayers,” Chizik continued.
The case is being investigated by the Auburn Police Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Lee County Coroner’s Office, and the State Medical Examiner’s Office. The Montgomery Police Department, Opelika Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office are also assisting in the case.
Anyone with information pertaining to the case is asked to contact Auburn Police Division detectives at (334) 501-3140 or anonymously by text or voice to the tip line at (334) 246-1391 or by phone to their local law enforcement agency.
Pictured below: Police stand guard at the entrance to the University Heights Apartments in Auburn, Ala., Sunday morning as the investigation continues into a shooting with multiple victims. Photo courtesy al.com for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos All-Star Closer Advances To Triple-A Louisville
June 10, 2012
Blue Wahoos closer Donnie Joseph, who was recently named to the Southern League All-Star Team, has been promoted to Triple-A Louisville. Joseph leaves Double-A tied for the league lead in saves with 13, also good for tops among the entire Cincinnati Reds organization. Joseph was named the Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May just prior to getting named an all-star.
In 25 relief appearances for the Fish, Joseph owned a 4-2 record and a dazzling 0.93 ERA (3 ER in 29.0 IP).
“Donnie moving up to Triple-A, I think, is certainly well deserved and probably overdue,” said Blue Wahoos manager Jim Riggleman. “It was very generous of the Reds to keep him in Pensacola for as long as he was here. He did a great job. I think the key is he threw strikes. His slider speaks for itself, nobody really hit his slider. I didn’t see him last year, but looking at the walk totals, it appears that he threw more strikes this year to go along with his great slider, and he’s ready for the next step.”
To fill the spot on the roster, RHP Mark Serrano has been activated from the disabled list.
Pictured: Wahoos’ closer Donnie Joseph has been promoted to Triple-A Louisville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Cowboy Football Registration Open
June 9, 2012
Registration is now open for the fall football season for the Cantonment Cowboys.
Players can register each Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon through August 4 at the Cantonment Cowboys Football Field at 681 Well Line Road.
For more information, visit www.cantonmentcowboys.org or www.facebook.com/CantonmentCowboys.
Wahoos Blank Barons 3-0
June 9, 2012
Tony Cingrani (1-0) set the stage for the Blue Wahoos on Friday night by fanning nine batters over six shutout innings, but the bats provided what proved to be more than enough support in the Wahoos 3-0 win over the Birmingham Barons at Regions Park.
Pensacola scored first when Ryan LaMarre came home on a sacrifice fly by Josh Fellhauer in the top of the first. Brodie Greene was the story offensively for the Blue Wahoos on the night. He made it 2-0 with his second home run of the season, a solo shot in the third. He finished the game 3-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored. He scored his second run on a ground ball to the shortstop in the fifth inning off the bat of Yordanys Perez to cap the Wahoos scoring.
Following Cingrani’s gem, Justin Freeman and Drew Hayes (S, 1) combined to work three scoreless innings in relief to nail down the win. Freeman struck out four batters over two innings, while Hayes retired three of four batters he faced in the ninth including a pair of strikeouts to earn his first save of the season.
All three Blue Wahoos runs were charged to Birmingham starter Cameron Bayne (5-5). He worked eight innings in the losing effort and allowed nine hits while issuing three walks. He struck out just one.
The Fish look to make it three in a row on Saturday night when they send right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (2-1, 3.03) to the mound against Barons righty Nestor Molina (4-4, 4.74). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. from Regions Park.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tony Cingrani struck out nine over six shutout innings for the Blue Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Earn Series Opening 5-2 Win Over Birmingham
June 8, 2012
The Blue Wahoos used a five-run sixth inning to roll to a 5-2 win over the Birmingham Barons in the first game of the five-game set from Regions Park in Birmingham on Thursday night.
With the Wahoos trailing 1-0, Joel Guzman hit a ground ball to third with the bases loaded, the ball was bobbled and the tying run scored without an out getting recorded on the play. With the bases still loaded, the next batter, David Vidal, was hit by a pitch to force in the go-ahead run. Yordanys Perez cleared the bases on the very next pitch with a double in the right-centerfield alley scoring all three runners and putting the Wahoos in front 5-1.
Tim Crabbe (3-2) pitched well for the Blue Wahoos by allowing just two hits over five-plus innings. He struck out six and was charged with two runs in earning his third win of the season. Donnie Joseph retired the final four Birmingham batters to earn his league-leading 13th save of the season. Simon Castro (5-3) was pegged with the loss. He was charged with all five Wahoos runs, only four were earned, over six innings.
The Wahoos have now won three of their last four and look for their second-straight win on Friday night. Lefty Tony Cingrani (0-0, 2.70) will oppose right-hander Cameron Bayne (5-4, 6.10). First pitch is set for 7:05 at Regions Park.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Crabbe allowed just two hits over five-plus innings in the winning effort Thursday as the Blue Wahoos beat the Birmingham Barons. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jacksonville Edges The Pensacola Blue Wahoos 2-1 To Take Series
June 7, 2012
Jacksonville starting pitcher Matthew Neil shutout Pensacola over six shutout frames, while center fielder Donnie Webb totaled three hits and fell a double short of the cycle as the Suns topped the Blue Wahoos 2-1 on Wednesday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The win gives Jacksonville a 3-2 series victory and improves their season’s record to 28-32, while Pensacola fell to 27-33 on the year. It was the third time in four series this season that the final game decided a series between the two teams.
The Suns got on the board with single scores in the third and fifth frames. Webb led off the third with a triple before scoring on a sacrifice fly to center, while Webb would increase the advantage to 2-0 with a solo homer to right in the fifth.
The Blue Wahoos cut the deficit in half in the eighth when CF Ryan LaMarre started the frame with a base knock and advanced to second and third on a Jacksonville fielding miscue, before he came home on RF Josh Fellhauer’s sacrifice fly to right.
Neil (6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 6 SO)earned his first victory at the Double-A level after being promoted to Jacksonville on May 18, tossing six shutout frames and yielding just five hits while fanning six. Suns relievers James Leverton (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 SO) and Evan Reed (1.1 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) followed Neil by combining to give up the lone unearned run on only one hit in the last three innings. Neil received his first hold of the year, while Reed notched his 12th save of the year to tie him for the Southern League lead.
Pensacola starter Daniel Corcino (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 2-4 despite allowing just two earned runs on five hits in five innings of work. Chris Manno (2.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 SO) and Drew Hayes (2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) were outstanding in support of Corcino, surrendering just one hit and a walk in the final four scoreless frames.
Webb (3-4, 2 R, 1 3B, 1 HR, 1 RBI) and LaMarre (3-4, 1 R) each recorded three hits for their respective clubs, with each collecting half of their team’s six base knocks in the game. Blue Wahoos SS Didi Gregorius and 3B David Vidal each tallied a base knock in the contest to extend their hit streaks to nine and six respectively.
Pensacola will now travel to Birmingham to face the Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, with the first pitch of the series scheduled for Thursday night at 7:05 pm. RHP Tim Crabbe is expected to get the nod for the Fish, while Birmingham is slated to send RHP Simon Castro to the hill.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: OF Ryan LaMarre tallied three hits in the Fish’s 2-1 loss Wednesday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.