Tate And Jay Fall In District Championship Games
April 27, 2012
Pace 4 — Tate 2
The Tate High School Aggies dropped to Pace 4-2 Thursday night in the district championship game
Tate hitters included: Hunter Black 1-3, 2B, run, RBI; Austin Quina 1-3, 2B, RBI; David Moorhead 1-3; Cody Palmer 1-3, 2B.
The Aggies (22-5) will advance as runner-ups in a Region 1-6A semifinal game next Thursday at 7 p.m. on the road against Panama City Mosley.
Holmes County 8 — Jay 5
Holmes county claimed the District 2-1A championship Thursday night with 8-5 win over the Jay Royals (9-13)
Sammy James took the loss on the mound for the Royals. Jay hitters included: Sammy James 1-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI; Conner Weeks 2-3, 1 3B, 1 RBI; Hunter Vaughn 1-3, Chandler Burgess 1-3, 1 3B.
Blue Wahoos Bounce Back With 9-3 Win Over Jacksonville
April 27, 2012
The Blue Wahoos got the bats going on Thursday night pounding out 12 hits in the 9-3 win over the Jacksonville Suns to even the five-game set at a game apiece at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Pensacola struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Henry Rodriguez, one of four hits for the Blue Wahoos third baseman on the night. Joel Guzman followed with the Blue Wahoos only extra-base hit of the game, an RBI double, to put Pensacola up 2-0.
With a 2-1 Pensacola advantage, the Suns got to Wahoos starter Tim Gusafson for a pair of runs in the third. Gustafson walked two in the inning, and both came home on Russell Mitchell’s two-out double to put Jacksonville in front 3-2. The Wahoos quickly responded with their biggest inning of the night, a three-run fourth. Josh Fellhauer, Mark Fleury and Mark Serrano all scored in the inning on individual plays to put Pensacola in front for good. They went on to add a pair of runs in each the sixth and seventh innings on their way to victory.
Rodriguez and Guzman led the offensive charge with four hits each. Gustafson didn’t get a decision after working just three innings. Serrano (W, 2-0) earned the win out of the bullpen after going three innings and striking out a season-high six batters. Four fish pitchers combined to allowed just four hits in the game.
Suns starter Bryan Evans (L, 0-2) took the loss for Jacksonville. He was tagged for five runs, two earned, on five hits over 3.2 innings.
The two teams continue the series on Friday night. Right-hander Daniel Corcino (0-1, 4.12) will go to the mound for Pensacola against Suns lefty Zach Neal (2-1, 1.42). First pitch is set for 6:05 CT from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured: Joel Guzman collected four hits, including the Blue Wahoos only extra-base hit, Thursday night at Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Northview Players Sign Football Scholarships
April 26, 2012
Three Northview High School Chiefs signed football scholarships Wednesday during a ceremony at the school.
Sean Knight signed with Tyler Junior College in Tyler, TX; while Austin Albritton signed with Birmingham Southern. Brian Ross signed with Furman University in Greenville, SC.
Sean Knight recorded 122 tackles at Northview, with 33.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks. He was named first team all-state by the Associated Press and named to several all-star teams. Knight chose Tyler Junior College over offers from Southern Mississippi, Western Michagan, FIU, Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio) and others.
Brian Ross had 54 total tackles in just one year as a Northview Chief, including 15.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. He was named second team all-state by the Associated Press and to a local all-star team. Ross also received offers from Mercer, Carson Newman, Millsaps and Birmingham Southern.
Austin Albritton had total 27 tackles for Northview, including four tackles for a loss and two interceptions. He also had 11 receptions for 262 yards and five touchdowns for the Chiefs. He was named second team all-state by the Associated Press and to a local all-star team. He also received offers from Millsaps and Louisiana College.
Pictured top: Northview Chiefs Sean Knight, Brian Ross and Austin Albritton signed college football scholarships Wednesday afternoon during a ceremony at the school. Pictured below: The three scholarship recipients with their families and NHS Coach Sid Wheatley. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Honor Track Stars
April 26, 2012
The Northview High School girls track team held their annual banquet this week and recognized several outstanding team members.
Receiving awards were:
- Senior awards- Charleigh McPherson,Cheyanne Garnett
- Hurdles-Tierra Floyd, junior
- Jumping Events- Tierra Floyd, junior
- Long Distance – Jazzlyn Franklin, junior
- Sprint -Angeligue Brown, freshman
- Middle Distance -Zacarra Davis, sophomore
- Throwing Events- Elayzha Bates, freshman
- “Do It For the Team” Award – Alisha Grice, junior
- Most Improved Award – Annie Bobo, freshman
- Coaches’ Award – Ashley Joiner, junior
Tierra Floyd was also recognized for representing Northview in the Regional Track Meet at Jacksonville and placed 10th in the 100 hurdles with a personal record of 16.9.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats Escambia, Headed Into District Championship Game
April 26, 2012
The Tate High School Aggies advance to the District 1-6A championship game with an 11-1 defeat of the Escambia Gators Wednesday.
The Aggies (22-4) will face Pace (18-7) at 7 p.m. at Milton High School.
JT Granat pitched the win for the Aggies in five, allowing six hits, striking out five and allowing just one run. Hitters for Tate were: Hunter Black 1-2, 2 RBI, 2B; Austin Quina 2-3, 2B, RBI; Mac Seibert 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI.
Blue Wahoos Attempt Comeback, Jacksonville Gets 6-5 Win
April 26, 2012
The Blue Wahoos overcame a 5-0 deficit to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning, but the Jacksonville Suns capitalized on a leadoff triple in the bottom of the ninth to down Pensacola 6-5 in the series opener from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Wednesday night.
The Suns took a 3-0 lead by scoring three times in the second inning against Wahoos starter Pedro Villarreal. Kyle Skipworth homered to start the inning. Later, Ryan Patterson doubled home Curt Smith from first. Patterson would score later in the inning on an RBI single by the pitcher Jose Alvarez. Jacksonville plated two more in the fourth when Patterson singled home Kyle Jensen, and Patterson later came home on Donnie Webb’s RBI triple.
After a leadoff double by Ryan LaMarre to begin the game, Suns starter Jose Alvarez proceeded to retire the next 15 Blue Wahoos batters in order.
The Blue Wahoos came alive offensively with a four-run sixth. It all began on single by Brian Peacock who later scored on a sacrifice fly by LaMarre. Yordanys Perez came home on a single by Didi Gregorius, who later came around on a Henry Rodriguez double. Rodriguez advanced to third on a base-hit by Joel Guzman, but a throwing error allowed him to score pulling the Blue Wahoos within one.
All four runs were charged to Alvarez who was only able to get one out in the inning.
In the top of the ninth, the Blue Wahoos capitalized on an error by the second baseman on a pop up in short right field that allowed Cody Puckett to reach safely and advance to second to open the inning. Peacock drove him in on a single to centerfield to tie the game at five.
Justin Freeman (L, 2-2) allowed a leadoff triple by Donnie Webb to begin the bottom of the ninth. He scored two batters later on Dalls Poulk’s game-winning single to centerfield. Freeman was charged with the loss after allowing two hits and the winning run in the ninth inning. Despite allowing the game-tying run in the top of the ninth, Evan Reed (W, 1-1) got credit for the win. The run was unearned on one hit over his one inning.
The two teams continue their series on Thursday when the Blue Wahoos send right-hander Tim Gustafson (1-0, 3.09) to the mound against Suns righty Bryan Evans (0-1, 5.94). First pitch is set for 6:35 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Ryan LaMarre collected two hits, including a double in the Pensacola Wahoo’s losing effort Wednesday in Jacksonville. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECHS Head Coach Mark Heaton Leaving For New Job
April 25, 2012
Mark Heaton, head football coach and athletic director at Escambia County High School in Atmore is leaving.
Heaton is taking over as athletic director and head football coach at Haleyville High School in northwestern Alabama. In two seasons at ECHS, Heaton was 14-9, including a 2010 quarterfinal appearance in the state playoff series.
Heaton’s employment was approved Tuesday night by the Haleyville Board of Education with a start date of May 1. A dozen people were interviewed for the position.
He is a former offensive coordinator for the Northview Chiefs and head coach for the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs in Uriah, Ala., where he went 13-9.
Heaton’s wife, Betty, is the head volleyball coach and teaches reading at Northview High School. Reports indicate she is expected to follow her husband to northwestern Alabama by next school year.
Wahoos Fall As Biscuits Take Series
April 25, 2012
Montgomery shortstop Hak-Ju Lee drove in three runs with a triple in the fifth, while third baseman Cole Figueroa and designated hitter Greg Sexton both recorded multi-hit games, as the Biscuits defeated the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Tuesday afternoon at Riverwalk Stadium. The win gives Montgomery a 3-2 series victory over the Blue Wahoos.
Leading 4-3 going into the fifth, Montgomery LF Omar Luna singled, while Sexton walked and RF Emeel Salem reached on a base knock to load the bases and set the stage for Lee. The shortstop then drove the second pitch of the at bat into the right-center field gap to bring home all three runners and give the Biscuits a four-run cushion in what proved to be the game’s crucial hit.
Montgomery had taken an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of scores in the opening frame. 1B Michael Sheridan lifted a sacrifice fly to left to send in the game’s first run, while Sexton would subsequently drive in Figueroa, who had singled earlier, to push the Biscuits ahead 2-0.
The Blue Wahoos answered however, with a three-run third frame to take a 3-2 lead. An RBI single from 3B Henry Rodriguez got the scoring started, while 2B Brodie Greene doubled to left to score Rodriguez. Pensacola then took advantage of a passed ball to plate the go-ahead run.
But the Biscuits would tie it at 3-3 in their half of the third. Sheridan led off with a walk, stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch before subsequently scoring on a run-scoring single from CF Brad Coon.
Pensacola capped their scoring in the seventh after C Mark Fleury led off with a double and took third on a ground out before coming home on a sacrifice fly from SS Didi Gregorius. Gregorius was held hitless to snap his torrid 10-game hitting streak, during which he lead all Minor Leaguers in hits, batting average and on-base percentage.
Montgomery starter Joe Cruz (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO) earned the win after allowing just two earned runs on only three hits in five frames, while reliever Jim Paduch (1.0 IP, 1 SO) notched his second save of the year for the Biscuits. Blue Wahoos starter J.C. Sulbaran (4.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 after surrendering six earned runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings.
The Blue Wahoos now travel to Jacksonville for a five-game series with the Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. First pitch for the series is set for Wednesday night at 6:05 pm central time. Pensacola is slated to give the ball to RHP Pedro Villarreal for the series opener, while Jacksonville’s starter has not yet been announced.
Up For A Volleyball Team? Spring Scalpball Tournament Planned
April 25, 2012
The Northview High School volleyball team will host the Spring 2012 Scalpball Tournament on May 19.
It will be a four versus four volleyball tournament for anyone over the age of 14. There will be two divisions — 14-19 and age 20 and up. Teams can be all male or female, or they can be coed. There can be up to five players per team.
The tournament begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Northview gym and the First Baptist Church of Bratt gym, with the finals to be played at Northview.
Team fees are $12 per player if paid by Friday, April 27, $14 per player if paid by May 11 and $15 per player if paid by May 16. Registration forms can be printed by clicking here, or obtained at Northview High School’s attendance desk or the Atmore YMCA.
All proceeds benefit the volleyball program at Northview High School.
For tournament information and a printable registration form click here (pdf).
Pictured top: Winners in the Spring 2011 Scalpball Tournament Team Bradley: Josh Bilon, Tara Bradley, Michael Bradley, Dan McDonald and Mike Dalton. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win 10-4, Even Biscuit Series At Two
April 24, 2012
The Blue Wahoos bounced back on Monday night after back to back losses to beat the Montgomery Biscuits 10-4 at Riverwalk Stadium. After a four-run first inning, the Blue Wahoos never looked back as they evened the series at two games apiece.
Joel Guzman and P.J. Phillips both delivered two-run doubles in the first inning to put the Wahoos in front in front 4-0. The Biscuits responded with a run in the bottom of the inning against Blue Wahoos starter Tim Crabbe (W, 1-0). It was the only run he would allow until the sixth inning.
After giving up back to back singles in the bottom of the second, the Wahoo starter proceeded to retire the next 12 batters he faced from the second inning through the fifth. He walked the first two batters of the sixth, but still got out of the inning after allowing just those two runners to score.
The offense got cranked up again in the seventh when Henry Rodriguez doubled home Miguel Rojas and Ryan LaMarre. The Wahoos added four additional runs in ninth to make it 10-3. Montgomery added a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth from Greg Sexton to cap the scoring for the game.
Five Blue Wahoos had multi-hit games for Pensacola. LaMarre, Didi Gregorius, Rodriguez and Guzman all had two hits while Cody Puckett finished the game 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Gregorius’ two-hit game raised his average to a league leading .403.
Crabbe earned his first win of the season with his longest start of the year. Kyle Lobstein (L, 1-2) allowed all four first-inning runs and gave up six hits over four innings in the losing effort.
The two teams wrap up the series in Montgomery on Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos will send right-hander J.C. Sulbaran (1-1, 2.65) to the mound against Montgomery righty Joe Cruz (1-2, 5.02). First pitch is set for 10:35 a.m. at Riverwalk Stadium.
By Tommy Thrall
Pictured top: Tim Crabbe worked a season-high six innings in his first win of the season. Photo courtesy Emmele Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.