Former Molino Resident Gindl Cycles In Nashville Sounds Win
July 12, 2011
Former Molino resident Caleb Gindl hit for the cycle — a single, double, triple and a homer — Sunday night for the minor league Nashville Sounds.
Gindl became the third and most recent Sound to accomplish the feat in the team’s 34-year history. The right fielder ripped a triple in the second, homered in the third, doubled in the eighth, and completed the feat with a single in the ninth. Gindl went 4-for-5 with three runs scored to join J.R. House (2004) and Tike Redman (2001) as the only players to hit for the cycle in a Sounds uniform.
The victory gave Nashville (41-49) a 2-2 series split with Albuquerque.
Gindl, a 2007 Brewers’ fifth-round pick, played high school ball for the Pace Patriots. Before moving to Santa Rosa County, he lived in Molino, playing at both the Molino and Cantonment ballparks. He spends much of his off-time in North Escambia, where he still has family in Molino and Walnut Hill.
For video, click here.
Pictured top: Caleb Gindl at bat for the Nashville Sounds in Albuquerque Sunday night. Photo by Mike Stasinger, The Nashville Sounds for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NWE Senior Girls Win Sectional Softball Championship
July 11, 2011
The Northwest Escambia senior girls softball teams has claimed the sectional championship, and they are headed to state later this month.
NWE defeated Niceville 11-9 and 9-6 Saturday to claim the sectional title in Florida Section 1 Senior League Softball. They are the first Senior League team from Section 1 to make the state tournament.
Members of the NWE Senior Girls All-Star Team are Penny Banda, Kristen Byrd, Courtney Peebles, Kendal Cobb, Kyndall Hall, Danielle Steadham , Addy Lee, Samantha Bethea, Makayla Flowers and Cheyenne Schoonover. The team is managed by Ronald Peebles and coached by Jarrod Peebles and Danny Hall.
Northwest Escambia 11 Niceville 9
In the first match-up of the double elimination tournament, Northwest Escambia beat Niceville 11-9.
Scoring for NWE: Courtney Peebles and Cheyenne Schoonover each had a double and run; Makayla Flowers had a single and a run; Kristen Byrd added two singles, a double and three runs; Kendal Cobb and Danielle Steadham both had a single and a run; Addy Lee added a double, a triple and two runs; and Penny Banda had a single, two doubles and one run.
Peebles pitched all seven for Northwest Escambia, striking out nine and allowing just three walks.
Northwest Escambia 9 Niceville 6
In the second game, Northest Escambia beat Niceville 9-6.
For NWE, Cheyenne Schoonover had three singles and a run; Courtney Peebles added three singles, a double and a run, Kendal Cobb had two singles and two runs; Danielle Steaham had three singles,a double and three runs; Kyndall Hall contributed one single and one run; and Samantha Bethea had a single and a run.
Hall pitched the full game for NWE, striking out one and walking two.
Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beulah Boy Appears On Outdoor Channel’s ‘Buckmasters’
July 3, 2011
Taking a child on a first deer hunt is a tradition that Lee Robinson gets to share every year. It was even more special with a child like Dawson Guy. The seven-year old Escambia County boy was born without fully developed arms and only one fully developed leg. He was able to experience the lifelong thrill of a hunt earlier this year.
From his wheelchair, he claimed his first buck.
Dawson’s hunt was part of the Buckmasters national television series Saturday morning on the Outdoor Channel.
Robinson, an Industrial Market Segment specialist at Gulf Power, spends much of his work day touting electric vehicles and large-scale technology advances for industrial customers. As a lifelong hunter, Robinson takes vacation time each year to serve as one of the volunteer guides for the Buckmasters Classic in Alabama. The Buckmasters American Deer Foundation program takes 11 disabled or critically ill children and youth on a guided deer hunt at Jimmy Hinton’s Sedgefield Plantation. Robinson has been doing this for 15 years, guiding some 40 young hunters on the all expenses paid three-day adventure of a lifetime.
“There’s been a lot of special moments over the years and this year with Dawson was one of them,” Robinson said. “Dawson will not let his disadvantage hold him back. He is truly remarkable. Deer hunting was top on his list of things he wanted to do. The thing I remember most about Dawson was his terrific smile, and he smiled and laughed a lot. We had a blast in the deer blinds cutting up and telling stories.”
On a frigid January morning this year, Robinson led Dawson, who lives in Beulah, and his father, Rueben, on the three-day hunt, using a specially prepared deer blind. The rifle was mounted to Dawson’s wheelchair. Through a special tube, Dawson’s mouth activated the specially designed trigger system.
Every year Robinson and other guide volunteers help prepare the hunters for the Classic, learning their abilities, limitations, and helping them harvest their trophy. This year, every one of them claimed a deer.
“Miracles and magic moments happen every year at this event. I am thankful I have the chance to assist them in a small way with a sport that I often find myself taking for granted,” Robinson said. “It renews my spirit and makes me thankful I helped give a little joy to them on their special hunt. It’s truly an honor and a privilege to help make their hunting dream come true, while I help make wonderful memories that will last my lifetime.”
Pictured top: Lee Robinson (far right) of Gulf Power helped Dawson Guy take his first buck earlier this year. Guy was featured on the Outdoor Channel’s Buckmasters program. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tri-County 9-10 Year Olds Finish 3rd; 11-12 Continues Play
July 1, 2011
The Tri-County 9-10 year old All Stars are out of tournament play, while Tri-County’s 11-12 year olds are still alive.
Niceville 6 Tri-County 4
The 9-10 year old Tri-County All Stars finished third in Florida District 1 Little League Thursday night. Tri-County lost to Niceville White 6-4 in Shalimar.
Niceville 11 Tri-County 0
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars also lost Thursday night. They were defeated 11-0 by Niceville in Niceville. With just one loss, Tri-County gets another shot in the loser’s bracket, playing Destin at 6 p.m. Friday in Niceville. The winner advances to the tournament final against Niceville Saturday evening.
Pictured Top: Tri-County 9-10 year old All-Stars Thursday night in Shalimar. Submitted photo by Kelly Archer for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Time Running Out To Register For Firecracker 5K
June 29, 2011
Time is running out to register for the annual Firecracker 5K to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida.
The event will be held Saturday, July 2 at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Pensacola. Free beverages and food are provided for all participants and tank shirts are guaranteed to the first 500 registrants. Awards are given for top runners, walkers and wheelchair racers overall and in age divisions.
To celebrate Independence Day with a bang and take part in the Firecracker 5K, register at www.active.com. For more informaiton, call the Ronald McDonald House at (850) 477-2273.
Tri-County Advances In Tournament Play, NWE Still Alive
June 28, 2011
The 9-10 and 11-12 year old Tri-County All Stars are moving on undefeated in Florida District 1 Little League tournament play after wins Monday evening, while Northwest Escambia remains alive in 11-12 year old play.
Tri-County 2 Niceville White 1 (ages 9-10)
The Tri-County 9-10 year olds came from behind in the sixth inning to win their second round playoff game Tuesday evening, 2-1 over Niceville White.
Tri-County was led by Judd Smith who went 3-3 with a three singles. Seth Killam went 2-4 with a single and a double, and both Trevor Flowers and Jackson Free went 1-3 with a single. Flowers allowed just two Niceville hits and striking out three. Killam struck out four of six batters.
Tri-County allowed just three errors during the game.
Tri-County advances to the next round at 7:30 Wednesday in Shalimar. Tri-County will face Niceville Maroon, which beat Shalimar 13-1 Monday.
Tri-County 8 Northwest Escambia 3 (ages 11-12)
Tri-County’s 11-12 year old All Stars defeated Northwest Escambia 8-3 Monday evening. With the win, Tri-County advances to take on Niceville at 7:30 Wednesday in Niceville. Northwest Escambia gets another shot in the loser’s bracket Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. against DeFuniak Springs.
Pictured top: Jackson Free slides in for the Tri-County 9-10 year olds. Pictured inset: Nathan Archer on the mound for Tri-County. Submitted photos by Tammie Free for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tennis Anyone? Court Ready To Play In Century
June 27, 2011
Century has recently rehabilitated the town’s tennis court at Showalter Park.
A few months ago, the court was overgrown with grass, did not have a good net and was in a general state of disrepair. According to Mayor Freddie McCall, the tennis court had not been used in several years.
After a suggestion by a citizen at a town council meeting, the town cleaned up the court and installed a new net.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tri-County Beats Myrtle Grove
June 11, 2011
The Tri-County All Stars 7-year olds picked up a big tournament win over Myrtle Grove White Friday night in Pensacola. Tri-County beat Myrtle Grove 25-10. Tri-County will take on Myrtle Grove Green Saturday. Submitted cellular phone photos by Alisa Hart for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Maher, Hadley Chosen For AISA All-Star Team
June 9, 2011
Keaton Maher of Century, Escambia Academy graduate, and Jarrett Hadley, a junior at Escambia Academy, were chosen for this year’s AISA All-Star Baseball Team at Troy University. The two played with and against the top players in the Alabama Independent School Association.
Maher was pitcher and first baseman for the senior team while Hadley, who is from Bay Minette, was shortstop and center for the junior team.
Pictured: Keaton Maher and Jarrett Hadley, were chosen for this year’s AISA All-Star Baseball Team. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Baseball Coach Stepping Down
June 8, 2011
Todd Boyd, the Tate Aggies’ head baseball coach has announced that he is stepping down after six seasons.
Boyd was named head coach the season after the Aggies won the state championship in 2005. The Aggies have not made it past the district level since then.
Tate High School will immediately being their search for a new coach to lead the Aggies baseball program. The opening must be advertised by the Escambia County School District for two weeks before candidates can be interviewed.