Northview’s Rustin Pope Signs To Play Baseball At Coastal Alabama East
May 9, 2023
Northview High School senior Rustin Pope signed Monday to play baseball for the Coastal Alabama East.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Regional Playoff Games Set For Northview And Tate Baseball, Northview Softball
May 9, 2023
The 2023 Florida high school tournament brackets have been released, and all opening round matchups are set for North Escambia teams beginning Wednesday for baseball and Thursday for softball.
1A Baseball
On Wednesday, No. 1 Northview (17-6) will host No. 4 Holmes County (9-18) at 7 p.m. Chiefs fans are encouraged to wear black and and “black out the blue devils”. Also Wednesday, No. 3 Jay (16-11) will travel to No. 2 Paxton (12-8). The winners will meet for the regional championship Saturday night at 7:00.
6A Baseball
On Wednesday, No.4 Tate (18-7) will travel to Tallahassee to face No. 5 Leon (20-7) at 7 p.m. And. No. 1 Pace (24-2) will host. No. 8 Winter Springs (16-9-1) at 7 p.m. (EDT).
1A Softball
On Thursday, No. 1 Jay (14-11) will host No. 4 Freeport (15-10) at 7 p.m. And, the No. 3 Northview Chiefs will travel to No. 2 Holmes County (16-7) at 7 p.m.
Pérez Dominates As Blue Wahoos Finish Series With Win Over M-Braves
May 8, 2023
Eury Pérez may have just left a lasting impression with the Blue Wahoos.
If so, it became a memorable one.
Pérez, ranked as the top prospect in the Miami Marlins minor league system, overcame a first-pitch home run to start the game then matched his best start of the season as the Blue Wahoos hung on in the ninth inning Sunday for a 5-4 victory against the Mississippi Braves.
A crowd of 4,567 at Blue Wahoos Stadium watched the home team win for the fifth time this week and 10th win in the past 11 games, enabling the Blue Wahoos (16-11) to finish the first month of the season with the best record in Southern League.
This was the third consecutive strong outing by Pérez, rated the No. 11 overall prospect in Minor League Baseball by MLB Pipeline. He dazzled Sunday by retiring the next 12 batters in order following the leadoff home run. He threw just 39 pitches through four innings, then pitched out of a bases-loaded jam get out of the fifth inning when Cal Conley was called for runner’s interference on a slow roller that Pérez fielded.
That became the game’s pivotal moment.
Pérez (3-1, 2.32 ERA) finished the sixth inning throwing 79 pitches in the game, 51 for strikes with nine strikeouts and two walks. In the sixth inning he threw a 100 mph fastball, followed by a 99-mph fastball, to coax a flyout from M-Braves slugger Drew Lugbauer, the club’s all-time home run leader, for the final out and final batter Perez faced.
The Blue Wahoos offense backed Pérez with a four-run third inning, highlighted by Griffin Conine’s solo homer, followed by Nasim Nuñez hitting a two-run blast. The other run scored on an infield throwing error.
The Blue Wahoos made it 5-1 in the fourth inning when Will Banfield walked, moved over to third on a pair of hits, and scored on a bases-loaded balk.
Conine completed a big weekend at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a run scored and his second homer in two days. He now has three for the season. Nuñez also went 2-for-3.
The first two relievers to follow Pérez, Patrick Murphy and Jefry Yan, pitched scoreless innings.
But the game got suspenseful in the ninth inning after the M-Braves hit a pair of home runs against Austin Roberts to trim a 5-1 lead into having the tying run at the plate with none out.
After Blue Wahoos pitching coach Dave Eiland visited the mound to calm Roberts, the righthander retired the last three batters in order to end the game.
It led to the large crowd being able to enter the outfield to toss baseballs and have kids 12-under run the bases in what has become a popular Sunday event.
The Blue Wahoos will have Monday off before traveling to Birmingham, Ala. to begin a six-game series against the Birmingham Barons, the Chicago White Sox affiliate, beginning on Tuesday at Regions Field. The Barons took four of six games from the Blue Wahoos in their only Pensacola meeting two weeks ago.
written by Bill Vilona, photos Blue Wahoos
Conine Goes Deep, Reynolds Saves In Magical Night For Blue Wahoos
May 7, 2023
Sean Reynolds turned toward teammates and pounded his chest with exhilaration.
It became the perfect ending for the Blue Wahoos’ 3-2 victory against the Mississippi Braves on a Fireworks Saturday night, featuring one of the team’s all-time crowd experiences in Blue Wahoos Stadium history.
An overflow crowd of 5,000-plus, which completely filled the outfield berm and all of the party decks, watched Reynolds close out the final two innings with flawless relief. He struck out the side in the ninth with the final batter Drew Lugbauer – the most prolific home-run hitter in M-Braves history – whiffing on a 99-mile fastball for the final strike.
Reynolds earned his fourth save this season, second of the week, as he’s moved into the top closer role.
The traditional fireworks show then lit the sky with many of the Blue Wahoos players, attired in specialty Marvel “Defenders of the Diamond” uniforms worn this night, staying on the field with families and friends to take it in.
This all capped a game that began one hour and 14 minutes late due to weather concerns.
Blue Wahoos starter Dax Fulton made the most from the wait, producing his best outing of the season. He allowed just one hit, struck out six and yielded four walks in a five-inning performance.
The pivotal inning was his final one when the first two M-Braves batters reached on a single and walk, but Fulton then made huge pitches to strike out the next two batters and coaxed a groundout to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Will Banfield hit a pop fly double that fell between the shortstop and left fielder. Griffin Conine followed by rifling a pitch into the right-field berm for a two-run homer.
The M-Braves Jesse Franklin led off the sixth with a homer off Cristian Charle. The Blue Wahoos answered with Banfield’s RBI single that produced the eventual winning run. Banfield and Conine both collected two hits in the game.
Prior to the game, the Blue Wahoos honored Pensacola native and former M-Braves pitching coach Dennis Lewallyn, whose Escambia High class was celebrating its 50-year reunion at the ballpark.
The group was among more than two dozen big groups in attendance that enveloped all of the party decks.
After the fifth inning, Pensacola High head football coach Cantrell Tyson, who suffered a stroke in a mid-September 2022 game while on the sidelines, was provided a “Home Run For Life” celebration by Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital. Tyson circled the bases, high-fiving members of each team before hugging his doctors in an emotional scene at home plate.
The Blue Wahoos win was their fourth this week, sealing a series win. It was the team’s ninth win in the last 10 games.
The teams will close out their week-long series on Sunday. Top organization prospect Eury Pérez (2-1, 2.52) will make his second start this week for the Blue Wahoos.
written by Bill Vilona, photo Blue Wahoos
Blue Wahoos Blanked In Soggy 8-0 Defeat
May 6, 2023
A first-time game with Pensacola’s participation in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion initiative became memorable, but didn’t include a franchise win feat.
Two weather delays, one of those lasting nearly two hours, put a damper on crowd involvement, then had the Mississippi Braves expand a pair of sixth-inning runs into a blowout, 8-0 victory Friday night that ended Pensacola’s record-tying eight-game win streak.
The game did not end until 10:56 p.m., 4 hours, 18 minutes after it began.
Transforming into the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok for the first of three times this season – part of MILB’s Copa series to honor centuries of Hispanic/Latino heritage nationwide – the home team was shut out for the first time this season.
Pensacola’s team wore reddish-orange uniforms with gray-teal caps as the Pok-ta-Pok — a nod to a game with a heavy ball played in 1650 BC.
When Friday’s game began at 6:38 p.m., before a crowd of 4,333, the skies had begun to turn ominous. A light rain had already started. Two innings were played before conditions worsened.
The game resumed in the top of the third inning at 9:01 p.m. following a 1-hour, 52 minute rain delay. The Blue Wahoos front office staff, including team president Jonathan Griffith and general manager Steve Brice, along with part-time staff, worked en masse to remove the tarp in heavy wind, then helped get the infield playable again.
The game was first halted for four minutes in the second inning when lightning flashed in the sky beyond the left field area. Six minutes of play followed before the much-longer delay ensued.
The forced both teams to rely on relievers to finish the game. Pensacola’s Josan Méndez worked three scoreless innings before trouble ensued in the sixth inning.
The M-Braves Cal Conley led off with a double. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. He scored on Cade Bunnell’s two-out double. After a walk to Drew Lugbauer, Méndez was lifted for Zack Leban, who gave up an RBI single.
The ninth inning became disastrous for Pensacola. Reliever Jefry Yan struggled with his command the entire way. He gave up three consecutive singles to load the bases, then walked in four runs on five consecutive walks.
M-Braves reliever Domingo Robles shined with seven scoreless innings. He got Pensacola to hit into inning-ending double plays in the third and sixth inning and allowed just three hits, a walk, six strikeouts.
It was the third time in franchise history the Blue Wahoos produced eight consecutive wins before a loss.
The series continues Saturday with the Blue Wahoos’ Dax Fulton (0-4, 6.45) on the mound against the M-Braves’ Alan Rangel (0-2, 5.40).
by Bill Vilona/Blue Wahoos
Burkett Throws Complete Game Shutout As Northview Shuts Out Jay For District Title (Gallery)
May 5, 2023
Cason Burkett threw a complete game shutout as the Northview Chiefs claimed the 1A District 1 title 2-0 over Jay Thursday night in Jay.
Burkett went seven innings, allowing no runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out nine.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Justin Smarr went four and two-thirds innings for Jay, giving up two runs and four hits while recording five strikeouts.
Rustin Pope went 2-2 to lead Northview at bat. Kaden Odom, Josh Landis, and Ethan Collier add one hit each.
Freddy Carnley was 2-2 for the Royals, and Ayden Sowers went 2-3.
Both teams head into the regionals next week.
Photos Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance, Ashley Rhodes and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Defending 1A State Champs Jay Defeats Northview For District Title (With Gallery)
May 5, 2023
The defending 1A state champion Jay Royals defeated Northview 13-3 Thursday night to claim the 1A District 1 Softball title.
The Royals took an early 6-0 lead in the first before added four more runs in the second. After a scoreless third, the Chiefs mounted a comeback attempt with three runs in top of the fourth, but Jay answered with three more runs of their own.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
Jenna Toups went for five in the circle for Jay, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out four and walking three.
Emma Gilmore led off in for Northview, allowing three runs. Aubrey Stuckey pitched the final four, surrendering seven hits and 10 runs while striking out two and walking six.
At the plate, Kaylee Gilbreath led the Royals going 3-3, and Brooklyn Sorrels went 2-3. Caitlyn Gavin, Carleigh Baker and Ella Nelson each had one hit.
Chloe Ragsdale went 2-2 for the Chiefs. Gilmore and Allison Flowers added one hit each
Both teams move into regionals next week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pace Slips Past Tate For 6A District Title
May 5, 2023
The Pace Patriots claimed the 6A District 1 championship 7-6 Thursday night in Pace.
The Aggies held a 6-3 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh. Pace tied it up at 6-6, and the winning run was forced in when a Pace batter was hit by a pitch.
Clifton Quiggins and Drew Reaves had two hits each for the Aggies. Brayden Touchstone, Ethan McAnally, James Davis and Madox Land each added one hit.
File photo.
Johnston Leads Blue Wahoos To Eighth Win In A Row
May 5, 2023
Troy Johnston had his bat cooled to begin this week against the Mississippi Braves.
He made up for it Thursday on a Pensacola Mullets night that tied a piece of franchise history.
Johnston blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third inning, then produced the go-ahead runs in the seventh as Pensacola beat the M-Braves 6-3 for their eighth consecutive win. It delighted a crowd of 4,578 at Blue Wahoos Stadium and matched the longest winning streak in club history, which was first set in 2017, then again in 2018.
A chance at the record awaits on a Friday night with Blue Wahoos taking on another name change as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in participation with the Copa de la Diversión initiative in Minor League Baseball.
Last week, Johnson tied the team record for single-game production with a two-homer, six-RBI game in a win against Montgomery.
After going 1-for-8 in the first two games of this series — hitless in seven prior plate trips — Johnston returned to his clutch-hitting ways. He came up with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He laced a 3-1 fastball pitch into right center for a two-run single to provide a 4-3 lead.
That pivotal moment was followed by Dane Myers’ sacrifice fly to score José Devers. Joe Rizzo then hit an RBI single to score Johnston.
The four-run rally was a big lift for Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde, named earlier Thursday as the Southern League Pitcher of the Month. He retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced before the only dent in his six outings this season.
He gave out a one-out single, then consecutive walks to load the bases. The M-Braves Landon Stevens followed with a two-run single for the lead and ended Monteverde’s night.
But the Blue Wahoos bullpen was again flawless with relievers Austin Roberts (W, 2-0), Brady Puckett and Sean Reynolds (S, 3) combining for 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts, no walks. Roberts got his second win.
Jose Devers manufactured the Blue Wahoos’ first run with his pop fly double, then went third on a wild pitch and utilized his speed to score on a second wild pitch.
The fourth game of the series is Friday at 6:35 p.m. with Pensacola’s M.D. Johnson (0-1, 4.00) going against AJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0).
written by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Win Number 100 For Northview Baseball Coach Jeremy Greenwell
May 4, 2023
Northview High School baseball coach Jeremy Greenwell is celebrating his 100th win.
After Tuesday’s number 100 in the W-column with a shutout of Central, the team presented Greenwell with an autographed home plate and a customized bat.
Greenwell was the first coach in Northview history to reach 100 wins.
Thursday night, Greenwell earned win number 101 as the No. 1 Chiefs beat the No. 2 Royals in Jay for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.