Former NHS Quarterback, Three Other Teens Arrested
May 30, 2012
The former quarterback for the Northview High Chiefs and three other teens were arrested late Monday night on underage alcohol and drug charges.
Brandon Lee Sheets, age 18 of Century; Taylor Christiane McCurry, age 18 of Molino; Dakota Ray Smith, age 19 of Molino; and John Everette, age 18, of Atmore, were each charged with possession of alcohol under 21 years of age, marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. All four were released from the Escambia County Jail on $1,500 bond each.
Sheets quarterback for the 2012 Northview High School Chiefs. He was suspended from his final game in the state playoff series by the Florida High School Athletic Association for alleged taunting, forced to sit out a state semifinal game against Chipley.
Late Monday night, an Escambia County deputy reported finding the teens in the area of 7200 Plantation Way, behind the former University Mall. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, the deputy reported finding a two small baggies containing marijuana, a brown plastic marijuana cigarette, a “rolling device”, rolling papers, a homemade smoking device made from a Keystone beer can and a bottle of Southern Comfort that was about half full. The deputy also reported finding a small portable air compressor in the vehicle that he believed to be used in conjunction with the smoking device, according to arrest reports.
All four individuals admitted to possession of alcohol, according to arrest reports, but all four denied any knowledge of the marijuana or the drug paraphernalia.
All four were charged, the arrest report states, because one baggie of the marijuana and the rolling papers were in plain view in the center area of the vehicle.
Generals Hand The Pcola Wahoos Their Second Straight Loss
May 30, 2012
The Jackson Generals used a pair of solo home runs for some much needed insurance as the Blue Wahoos lost their second straight to Jackson 4-2 from Pringles Park.
Pensacola got on the board first with an RBI double from Brodie Greene plating Ryan LaMarre in the top of the first. Jackson wasted no time answering with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Francisco Martinez came home from third on a sacrifice fly to center by Denny Almonte. Joe Dunigan followed that with a double and came home a batter later on Jesus Sucre’s single giving Jackson the lead.
Chih-Hsien Chiang hit his first home run of the year in the fourth, a solo blast while Kalian Sams hit his fourth big fly of the year in the sixth. The insurance runs proved necessary as the Blue Wahoos tacked on a run in the fifth. Joel Guzman singled home Didi Gregorius but that was the last of the offense. David Vidal grounded into an inning-ending double play a batter later leaving the tying run at third. The Wahoos only had one baserunner the rest of the game.
Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (L, 3-4) was charged with the loss after allowing all four Generals runs over six innings. He walked just one and struck out three. Steve Garrison (W, 3-1) earned the win for the Generals. He was allowed both Blue Wahoos runs on seven hits over six innings. Steven Hensley (S, 2) picked up the save by striking out the side in order in the ninth.
The two teams meet in a matinee on Wednesday at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. Pensacola sends right-hander Kyle Lotzkar (1-1, 1.10) to the mound against Jackson right-hander Taylor Stanton (2-1, 6.08 w/Advanced-A High Desert).
By Tommy Thrall
Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Drop Road Trip Opener
May 29, 2012
Jackson used a pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the first inning to claim a 2-0 lead, and they never looked back as the Blue Wahoos opened their road trip with a 5-0 loss to the Generals at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
The Generals got on the board when Denny Almonte doubled home Nick Franklin who had tripled in the previous at bat. Almonte came home later in the inning on a base hit by Jesus Sucre.
Almonte struck again in the fifth with a two-run home run off of Blue Wahoos starter Tim Gustafson (2-2). Gustafson was charged with all five Generals runs after working 5.2 innings. Despite striking out a season-high seven batters, the Blue Wahoos starter was still tagged with the loss.
Offensively Ryan LaMarre, Didi Gregorius and Yordanys Perez all collected two-hit games. The Wahoos matched the Generals with nine hits but went 0-for-10 collectively with runners in scoring position.
Danny Hultzen (5-3) worked six shutout innings in the win. He walked two, struck out five and matched his season high allowing five hits.
The two teams continue the series on Tuesday when Pensacola sends right-hander J.C. Sulbaran to the mound against Jackson lefty Steve Garrison (2-1, 3.00). First pitch is set for 7:05 from Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Gustafson struck out a season high eight batters Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo by Chris Nelson, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Get Comeback Victory Over the Mississippi Braves
May 28, 2012
Pensacola center fielder Andrew Means launched a three-run home run in the eighth inning to lead the Blue Wahoos to a 7-5 comeback victory over the Mississippi Braves, as the Fish sold out all five games of their homestand, including their 18th capacity crowd of the year on Sunday afternoon at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Braves won the series 3-2, having clinched on Saturday evening, though they fell to 22-27 with the loss Sunday. The Blue Wahoos improved their season mark to 24-26 with the win. The sellout crowd was the 18th of the year in 24 home openings this year.
After entering the eighth down 5-3, RF Josh Fellhauer led off the frame with a double and subsequently scored on 1B Joel Guzman’s RBI single to narrow the deficit to one. 3B David Vidal would then single to set the stage for Means, who rocketed an 0-1 pitch over the left field wall to complete the comeback.
Mississippi got off to an early 3-0 lead after three frames thanks to a two-run double from RF Cory Harrilchack in the second, while the third tally came across when C Matt Kennelly was hit by a pitch in the next inning. The Braves added single tallies in the seventh, courtesy of Kennelly’s RBI base knock, while SS Andrelton Simmons belted his third longball of the season and the series in the eighth.
Pensacola got their first two runs in the fifth, when C Mark Fleury drew a bases-loaded walk and 2B Brodie Greene was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Blue Wahoos also got a run in the seventh when SS Didi Gregorius tripled to bring home Means, who singled earlier in the frame.
Means (3-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI) was the lone Blue Wahoos batter to record a multi-hit effort in the contest with his three base knocks, while Simmons (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB) and 3B Joe Leonard (2-3, 2 R, 2 BB) each collected a pair of hits for the Braves.
Pensacola reliever Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) earned his fourth victory of the year after yielding a run on a hit in one frame, while closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO) notched his Southern League leading 12th save with a hitless ninth, fanning two. Blue Wahoos RHP Drew Hayes (2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) had a strong outing, firing 2.1 scoreless innings in relief. Mississippi RHP Cory Rasmus (1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-1 after allowing four runs on four hits in the eighth.
The Blue Wahoos will now travel to Jackson, Tennessee for a five-game series with the Generals, the Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, with the series opener on Monday with first pitch set for 7:05 pm. The Fish are scheduled to send RHP Tim Gustafson to the mound, while Jackson is expected to give the ball to LHP Danny Hultzen.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: Closer Donnie Joseph notched his Southern League leading 12th save Sunday. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Braves Beat Wahoos 7-3 Before Capacity Pensacola Crowd
May 27, 2012
The Braves collected six straight singles as part of a five-run eighth inning, as first baseman Ian Gac recorded three hits, to lead Mississippi to a 7-3 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos in front of another capacity crowd of 5,038 on Saturday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 17thh sellout crowd of the year at the bayfront stadium in their 23rdd home opening of 2012. The victory clinched the series for the Braves, who improved their record to 22-26 this season, while the Blue Wahoos fell to 23-26 this year.
Pensacola entered the eighth inning leading 3-2, but Mississippi plated five runs on six straight singles to grab a 7-3 advantage they would not give up. Prior to their late inning scoring spurt, Mississippi brought home single scores in the fourth and sixth innings, including Gac’s RBI double in the sixth.
The Blue Wahoos took an early 1-0 lead in the second thanks to RF Andrew Means’ first home run of the year, while C Brian Peacock drove in the next two tallies for the Fish. The Pensacola backstop drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth, and later drove in 3B David Vidal with an RBI single in the sixth.
Both starters did not factor in the decision despite quality starts, with Pensacola RHP Daniel Corcino (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO) yielding just two earned runs on six hits in six frames, while Braves LHP Sean Gilmartin (6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) tied a season-high with nine strikeouts and gave up three runs in his six innings of work.
Braves reliever Andy Russell (2.0 IP) earned the victory after throwing two shutout innings in relief of starter Gilmartin, while RHP Mark Serrano (0.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER) suffered the loss to fall to 3-1 on the year.
Along with Gac (3-5, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 RBI) LF Alden Carrithers (2-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB) collected two or more hits for Mississippi, while 3B David Vidal (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) and RF Andrew Means (2-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI) recorded multi-hit efforts in the defeat.
The Braves and Blue Wahoos will meet for the final time this series on Sunday afternoon, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm at the bayfront stadium. Pensacola is scheduled to send RHP Tim Crabbe to the hill, while Mississippi is expected to counter with RHP David Hale.
by Andrew Green
Pictured Andrew Means homered for the first time this year as the Blue Wahoos lost to the Braves in Pensacola Saturday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall 6-5 Friday Night
May 26, 2012
Mississippi plated a ninth inning run with back-to-back doubles from first baseman Ian Gac and pinch hitter Barrett Kleinknecht after Pensacola came back from an early 5-0 deficit, as the Braves defeated the Blue Wahoos 6-5 in front of another sellout crowd of 5,038 on Friday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 16th sellout of the year in 21 home dates for the Blue Wahoos, who continue to lead the Southern League in attendance in their inaugural season. The defeat drops the Fish to a 23-25 mark in 2012, while the Braves improved their record to 21-26. Two-time NFL champion, Milton High School graduate and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes was in attendance, and threw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.
After allowing the Blue Wahoos to comeback after they were down five, Gac doubled down the left field, while Kleinknecht followed with a double of his own on the next pitch to bring home Gac on what turned out to be the game-winning hit.
The Braves jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the 1stt thanks to a two-run homer from SS Andrelton Simmons. It was the second roundtripper of the year and of the series for the Braves’ fourth-best prospect. Mississippi then increased the margin to five in the fourth thanks to RBI singles from CF Keenan Wiley and 2B Phil Gosselin, while Gac had a sacrifice fly.
The Blue Wahoos however, answered back with a five-run sixth inning to tie it at 5-5. CF Ryan LaMarre reached on a fielder’s choice and took second on an error before he was plated by SS Didi Gregorius for the club’s first tally of the contest. Gregorius moved to third on 2B Brodie Greene’s double, before both were sent home on 1B Joel Guzman’s two-run single to right. Guzman would score along with 3B David Vidal, who was hit by a pitch, on LF P.J. Phillips’ clutch two-run double to center to draw the contest even.
Guzman (2-4, 1 R, 2 RBI) was the lone Pensacola batter to record two hits in the contest, while Gosselin (2-5, 1 2B, 1 RBI) and LF Alden Carrithers (2-4, 1 R, 1 BB) each collected multi-hit efforts for the Braves.
Mississippi reliever Ryan Buchter (1.0 IP, 2 SO) earned his second victory of the year after fanning two batters in his scoreless inning of relief, while closer Mark Lamm (1.0 IP, 1 H) tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his sixth save of the season. Pensacola closer Donnie Joseph (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 SO) suffered his first loss of 2012, yielding a run on two hits in one inning. It was just the second run Joseph has given up all year in 22 appearances.
The Blue Wahoos and Braves are scheduled to meet again Saturday evening, with first pitch set for 6:30 pm. RHP Daniel Corcino is expected to get the start for Pensacola, while Mississippi is slated to send LHP Sean Gilmartin to the hill.
Fans will want to arrive early and stay late for Saturday night’s contest, as NFL champ and Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Josh Sitton will be at the game and throw out a ceremonial first pitch. All fans are asked to wear green or gold in honor of Sitton. The Blue Wahoos will also be wearing special camouflage jerseys sponsored by Andrews Institute, with the jerseys being auctioned off throughout the game in a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the Eagle Fund – Wounded Military.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: OF Yordanys Perez up to bat for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview’s McCall Named MVP; East Beats West In All-Star Softball, Baseball
May 25, 2012
Northview High School senior Lauren McCall was named the West MVP Thursday night as East defeated the West 11-2 in the Pensacola Sports Association’s 2012 Subway High School All-Star Softball Game.
McCall had the West’s first hit during the game that features the top seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. After the shortstop’s infield single, McCall’s catch ended the fifth inning of play at the University of West Florida.
From Jay, Becca Callaway walked before an RBI double from Milton’s Katie Worley, and Tessa Hendricks also added an RBI double.
In the boys softball All-Star game Thursday, the East also defeated the west, 8-0
All-Star Players, All-Star Coaches
Head coaches for this year’s event included Brian Watson from Jay High School for the East softball team and Mike Haveard from Pine Forest for the west softball team. In the baseball game, Cory Hamrick from Niceville High headed up the east team while Tate High’s Greg Blackmon coached the West boys.
Announced rosters for the 2012 Subway High School All-Star baseball and softball games were as follows:
West Softball: Victoria East, Ashley Peters, Brittany Morris, and Aubrey Yeagle from Escambia, Brianna Coleman, Brittany Manning-Davis, Rebeka Touary, and Sara Grace Gunter from Pine Forest, Kristen Hughes from East Hill, Lauren McCall from Northview, Amber Wells from Catholic, Samantha Hurley from Pensacola, Kayla Rosario, Kaitlyn Kenfield, Gabby Leifur, and Kalina Kenfield from West Florida Tech, Heather Schaff, Kim Baker, Barette Barnes, Marina Cobbs, Holly Brown, and Kat Tucker from Tate, and Rachel Medley from Washington.
East Softball: Kasey Harrison from Laurel Hill, Megan McDonald and Amanda Curington from Gulf Breeze, Hannah Day from Crestview, Lauren Osburn, Sarah Beth Marquis, and Meghan Redalieu from Navarre, Hannah Jones from Pace, Stephanie Hartness, Jamie Ujvari, Jessica Ujvari, and Courtney Adams from Niceville, Brittany Tiller from Rocky Bayou, Katie Worley, Kassandra Gilley, and Desiree Velasguez from Milton, Becca Calloway and Tessa Hendricks from Jay, Tory Kilcrease from Baker, Jaime Phillips and Jennifer Phillips from Fort Walton, and Rikki Rummel from Choctaw.
West Baseball: Scott Robertson, Matt Mckibben, and Avery Van Brussel from Washington, Skyler Beckerman, Tyler Murphy, Chase Anderson, and Tucker Massey from West Florida Tech, Tyler Curtis, Hunter Black, Austin Quina, Mac Seibert, and Cody Palmer from Tate, Preston Szuch, Tyler Henry, and Chase Keifer from Catholic, Tanner Brooks and Zach Barrow from Northview, Trenton Potter and Kody Bryant from Pensacola Christian, Brandon Nagem, Jon Cagle-Lister, and Zach Hathaway from Pine Forest, Joey Scapecchi and Kaleb Lewis from Escambia, and Brandon Haragul and Jimmy Threat from Pensacola.
East Baseball: Kameron Miller, Dylan Lee, and Derek Lovelace from Crestview, Kyle Mcgee from Gulf Breeze, Tanner Black, Miguel Paulino, and Luke Clark from Choctaw, Bucky Locke from Baker, Cory Eller and Mike Haynes from Niceville, Sammy James from Jay, Patrick Maddox, Patrick Ervin, Daniel Hampton, Steven Jernigan, and Clay Benefield from Pace, Paul Young and Jordan Martin from Milton, Dylan Peacock from Central, Steven Wills from Rocky Bayou, Kyle Slingerland from Laurel Hill, Jacob Terry and Dusty Jones from Navarre, Ian Hok and Trey Marshall from Fort Walton.
Blue Wahoos Top Braves 4-2
May 25, 2012
Pensacola left fielder Yordanys Perez homered as part of a two-hit effort and center fielder Ryan LaMarre threw two runners out at home plate, while the bullpen trio of Clayton Tanner, Curtis Partch and Donnie Joseph held Mississippi to just three hits in the final 3.1 frames, as the Blue Wahoos defeated the Braves 4-2 in front of a capacity crowd of 5,038 on Thursday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
It was the 15th sellout crowd the Blue Wahoos have played in front of this year, in their 21st home opening this year. The victory improves Pensacola’s record to 23-24, while the defeat drops Mississippi to 20-26 in 2012.
Perez got the scoring started for the Blue Wahoos in the second, when he lifted a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall to grab a 1-0 lead. It was the third longball of the year in Perez’s first year at professional level, as well as his second in three contests.
Pensacola would then increase the margin to three in the fourth with a pair of clutch two-out at bats. Perez drove in his second run of the game with an RBI single, while C Mark Fleury drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 3-0.
The Braves however would narrow the deficit to one with single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings, both thanks to 3B Joe Leonard. The third baseman began the fifth frame with a homer to left, and then brought in SS Andrelton Simmons in the following frame with a single.
Mississippi was kept off the scoreboard twice thanks to Blue Wahoos CF Ryan LaMarre, who threw out baserunners attempting to score in the third and sixth innings. LaMarre now has 11 outfield assists this season, ranking him first in the Southern League by a wide margin.
Pensacola starter J.C. Sulbaran (5.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on seven hits in 5.2 innings, while Tanner, Partch and Joseph combined to shut down the Braves from there in support of Sulbaran. Tanner (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) and Partch (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 SO) each notched holds for their efforts, while Joseph (1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 SO) converted his Southern League leading 11th save of the year in 12 opportunities. Braves starting pitcher Gary Moran (5,1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year after giving up three runs on five hits in 5.1 frames.
It was Perez’s (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI) fourth multi-hit outing in his last six contests, while RF Josh Fellhauer (2-4, 1 R, 1 2B) also collected two hits for the Blue Wahoos. Leonard (2-3, 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI), along with CF Todd Cunningham (2-5), C Christian Bethancourt (2-4) and RF Cory Harrilchak (2-3) all recorded two base knocks for the Braves in the loss.
With the series tied, Pensacola and Mississippi will meet again Friday night, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. RHP Kyle Lotzkar is slated to take the bump for the Blue Wahoos, while the Braves are expected to give the ball to LHP Luis Avilan in the third game of the series.
All fans are asked to wear blue for Friday night’s game in honor of two-time NFL champion and New York Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes, who will be on hand to throw out a first pitch. Fans will also want to arrive early, as the first 2,000 fans to enter the gates will receive a special patriotic Blue Wahoos cap courtesy of Virginia College.
By Andrew Green
Flomaton Baseball Coach Anthony Davidson Retiring
May 24, 2012
Flomaton High School coach Anthony Davidson is retiring after 30 years as the Hurricane’s baseball coach.
His retirement comes after Flomaton’s trip all the way to the Class 2A semifinals in 2012 and a Class 2A state championship back in 1988. His overall record is 470-320.
Overall, Davidson has coached for 33 years — he was at Escambia County High School in Atmore one year and spent a couple of years at Munford.
Pictured above and below: Flomaton’s Hurricanes made it to the Class 2A semifinals this year under the leadership of coach Anthony Davidson. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Braves Beat Blue Wahoos 5-2
May 24, 2012
Mississippi shortstop Andrelton Simmons recorded four hits including a two-run home run, while starting pitcher Zeke Spruill held the Pensacola offense to two runs on three hits as the Braves defeated the Blue Wahoos 5-2 on Wednesday night in front of another sellout crowd at Pensacola’s Bayfront Stadium.
The victory gives Mississippi a 1-0 lead in the series, and improves their record to 20-25 on the year, as Pensacola fell to 22-24 this year. It was the 14th sellout crowd to take in a Blue Wahoos game in their 20th opening.
Simmons (4-4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI) got the scoring started in the third inning with his first longball of the season, a two-run shot that gave the Braves the early 2-0 advantage. From there he would add two doubles after tallying a single in his first at bat of the contest, falling a triple shy of the cycle. C Christian Bethancourt (2-4, 1 R, 1 RBI) was the only other hitter for either side to record a multi-hit effort in the contest.
The Blue Wahoos were held without a baserunner until the fifth, when they plated two runs to even the contest at 2-2. LF Yordanys Perez began the frame with a single before scoring on 3B David Vidal’s RBI triple to cut the deficit in half. Vidal would subsequently score on 1B Stephen Hunt’s sacrifice fly to left to bring the game back to a draw.
Mississippi however, countered in the following frame with a trio of tallies. 2B Phil Gosselin got the rally started with a single, and would come across on 1B Ian Gac’s run-scoring double, while back-to-back RBI base knocks from Bethancourt and LF Alden Carrithers added a pair of insurance runs for the Braves.
Spruill (7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 7 SO) earned the win to improve to 4-4 in 2012 after allowing just two earned runs on only three hits, in addition to seven strikeouts in his seven innings of work. Relievers Cory Rasmus (1.0 IP, 2 SO) and Mark Lamm (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO) then tossed the final two hitless innings in support of Spruill, with Rasmus notching his third hold and Lamm his fifth save.
Pensacola starter Tim Gustafson (5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss after yielding five earned runs on eight hits in 5.2 frames. Relief pitchers Wilkin De La Rosa (0.1 IP, 1 H), Chris Manno (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 SO) and Mark Serrano (1.0 IP, 1 BB) combined to pitch the final 3.1 scoreless innings.
The Blue Wahoos and Braves will face off again tomorrow night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm from the bayfront stadium. RHP J.C. Sulbaran is expected to take the hill for Pensacola, while Mississippi is slated to counter with RHP Gary Moran.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: David Vidal had an RBI triple in the Blue Wahoos’ 5-2 loss Wednesday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.