2009 Archives
2009 TOP STORIES
Congratulations to our Senior Eagles. They have all signed to compete at the next level. (Pictured Left to Right)
Robby Campbell - Northwest Shoals Community College
Shawn McDorman - Pensacola Junior College
Jordan Demos - Northwest Florida State College
David Hill - Northwest Shoals Community College
Robert Price - Northwest Shoals Community College
Danny Collins - The University of Alabama
Bradley, Phillips named baseball Coaches of the Year
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
Entering his 13th season at the helm, Paxton baseball coach Jeff Bradley had a pretty good inclination at just how good his Bobcats could be in 2009.
Most, if not all, of his key contributors from the previous season's District 1-1A winner and regional final participant had returned to put Paxton in prime position to make another postseason run.
"It was the first time in a long time that we've had an experienced bunch coming back," Bradley said. "Usually at the small schools, you piece it together from one year to the next, but by not graduating anybody from the year before, we knew we had a lot of experience."
Brad Phillips, on the other hand, found himself under quite a different set of circumstances.
Inheriting a Niceville program that graduated one major league signee (Brett DeVall) as well as a trio of players bound for the college ranks, the Eagles' first-year coach stepped into a different kind of pressure cooker as he and a new cast of players set about maintaining the program's winning tradition.
"You go from a year like they had last year and then lose your coach. It's tough," Phillips said.
Both Paxton and Niceville answered the call with district titles and playoff appearances, and as a result, Bradley and Phillips have each earned All Sports Association/Daily News Coach of the Year honors. Bradley, whose Bobcats finished 17-4, takes home the award for the small schools (1A-3A) while Phillips does so for the big schools (4A-5A) after leading the Eagles to a 19-10 finish.
Phillips credited his players' willingness to buy into a new way of doing things for the Eagles' success in ‘09.
"With a new staff coming in, it's always tough to get on board, not because you don't want to, just because it's different," Phillips said. "They worked hard for what they achieved. They're the reason for the success of the season."
Niceville scraped and clawed its way to yet another District 1-5A title and advanced to the regional finals where it fell to eventual state runner-up Chiles, 2-1 in eight innings.
"For us to be in that situation says a lot about the boys," Phillips said.
If Phillips' biggest obstacle was winning over a new clubhouse, Bradley's was ensuring that a young team that had accumulated some success didn't grow complacent. But after losing ace pitcher Colby Forehand to an injury to start the year and soon thereafter being robbed of its No. 2 hitter in Dan Geoghagen to sickness, the Bobcats were put to the test early.
"We had a character check," Bradley said. "It's a testament to what they wanted to prove."
Paxton would rally around its fallen stars and go on to outscore district foes by a 106-10 margin en route to another district crown. The fact that it did so after overcoming adversity led Bradley to label the team as "the best team that's ever been on this field since I've been here," despite the fact it fell short of its ultimate goal.
"How many kids go through high school and have the experiences that these kids have experienced?" Bradley said. "That's a tribute to the parents, the community and these kids and how hard they've worked."
Price, Henry chosen as Baseball Players of the Year
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
Colton Henry isn't much of a talker, but oh can his bat sing.
Henry, Baker's cordial and sweet-swinging shortstop, batted .592 for the Gators, a feat that still leaves the rising senior at, well, at loss for words.
"I don't try to go up there and hit home runs every time," Henry said. "I just try to hit base hits so I can get on base and score."
In much the same breath, Niceville pitcher Robert Price took a similarly stoic approach to his game in compiling a 10-3 record for the District 1-5A champion Eagles.
"For me, being on the mound means I could win it or lose it for my team, so the team needed me," Price said. "I loved that feeling. Whenever I would get in, I loved it, the more pressure the more I enjoyed it."
Both Henry and Price excelled at coming through in the clutch for their respective teams and as a result have been tabbed this year's All Sports Association/Daily News Baseball Players of the Year.
Henry takes the honor for the small schools (1A-3A) after recording nine doubles and 11 triples all while committing just three errors from his defensive post at short. Still, it's the 11 triples that caused Henry to shake his head in disbelief.
"(Triples) are hard to come by," Henry allowed. "I don't know how I got that many."
His coach, Gary Taylor, had a strong inclination. The Baker coach credited Henry's even-keel approach to the game as a key factor in his ability to perform at such a high level so consistently.
"He's all business," Taylor said. "He gets in the (batting) cage and takes his cuts. He goes two or three times until he feels comfortable with his swing.
"He's got a good eye," Taylor added. "He may have had three strikeouts in 25 games."
Price was just as steady from the mound.
In 75 2/3 innings pitched, the lanky left-hander limited the opposition to a paltry .196 batting average while racking up 84 strikeouts and tossing seven complete games before ending the season with a 1.54 earned run average.
"He's very intelligent on the mound," first-year Niceville coach Brad Phillips said. "He knows what he's good at and doesn't veer off from that much. He stays within himself and does what he knows how to do."
Namely, fill the strike zone.
Price learned early to pick up on the little things, such as where a batter positioned himself in the box. Depending on the batter's stance, Price and his catcher, either Michael Wells or A.J. Gomez, put a game plan into action.
"I had two really intelligent catchers," Price said. "Usually we were always on the same page and we would try to tilt (the batter's) eyes in a different position. Then sometimes, you just go after them."
More times than not, either approach worked just fine for Price and the Eagles.
"He knows his priority is throwing strikes and getting outs," Phillips said. "His stuff is above-average, but his competitiveness is what won him the games he won this year. He's not intimidated by much and I think that's his strength, he's just a competitor."
McDorman chosen for All-star Team
From staff reports
The respective high school baseball and softball seasons aren't over quite yet. For 12 area softball p
layers and 14 area baseball players, there's still one more game to be played.
The Pensacola Sports Association will host the East vs. West High School All-Star Game today at 6:30 p.m. with each game taking place on adjoining fields at Pelicans Park on the University of West Florida campus.
The field opens at 4 p.m. for a tailgate social for players, coaches and scouts.
Leading players from area schools make up nearly the entire East roster on both sides. The East softball squad will be led by Fort Walton Beach coach Andrea Gore while the baseball team's skipper is Navarre coach Mickey O'Quinn.
The East baseball roster is made up of Choctawhatchee's Mykal Bailey, Travis Holland and Taylor Kelley, Navarre's Brennan Coe, Alex Grigsby, B.G. Hill, Matt Brewer and Josh Pyeatt, Fort Walton Beach's Robin Bailey and Josh Brister, Baker's Josh Yost and Preston Nixon, Niceville's Shawn McDorman and Crestview's David Pyle.
Helping represent the East on the softball side are Navarre's Jennifer Bennett and Brittany Naker, Choctaw's Hannah Renn, Catherine Zappia and Miranda Michael, Niceville's Taylor Tiahrt and Missy Milligan, Crestview's Courtney Luke and Rene Copeland, Laurel Hill's Kate Free, Fort Walton Beach's Macy Morgan and Baker's Jessi Gilmore
Niceville falls to Chiles in 8 innings
Comments 0 | Recommend 0
Niceville uses incredible rally to beat Pace
Comments 0 | Recommend 0By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
CANTONMENT - Nothing has come easily for the Niceville baseball team in 2009.
So even after Pace had jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the District 1-5A championship game Thursday night at Tate, Eagles' coach Brad Phillips wasn't surprised in the least to see his team still playing as if it led.
"We've kind of been there, done that as far as the tight, close games," Phillips had said earlier in the week.
Those past experiences paid off in a big way.
Niceville scored seven runs in a watershed sixth inning that saw the Eagles' bats come alive just in time to defend their district crown with a 7-6 come-from-behind win.
"To win (the district), much less in this fashion, is nice," Phillips said as his team piled on top of each other on the pitcher's mound behind him.
As inept as Niceville's lineup looked through the first five innings, the Eagles' bats were even more impressive in the sixth, as they pounded out seven runs on one error and four timely hits - none of which loomed larger than Robby Campbell's game-winning three-run home run that sailed over the left field fence.
"He's little guy but he's a big-time player," Phillips said.
Danny Collins led off the frame by reaching first when a called strike three rolled past the Pace catcher. A Michael Wells single and a hit batsman loaded the bases before Ben DeVall was also hit by a pitch to push across Niceville's first run. Kyle McDorman then hit into a fielder's choice that made it 6-2.
Chris Krenek plated a run with a sacrifice before Jordan Demos made it a 6-4 ballgame on a bloop single, setting the stage for an unlikely hero.
Cutter Tarpley, who had struck out in his previous three at-bats, slapped a single into right field to keep the inning alive before Campbell stepped in and completed the comeback, crushing the first pitch he saw well over the fence in left and sending the Niceville contingent that made the trip to Tate into a frenzy.
"It was curveball," Campbell, who finished the night 2-for-4, said. "It was the best feeling in the world."
It was a nightmarish start for Niceville, as Pace jumped on Eagles' starting pitcher Hunter Phillips for four runs on four hits and a pair of walks in the bottom of the first.
But just as it had done all season, Niceville refused to give in before giving way to reliever Robert Price in the fifth.
"He gave up that four spot in the first and could have thrown in the towel, but he kept battling," Phillips said.
Niceville will host Tallahassee Chiles in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.
McDorman, home runs lead Niceville past Choctaw
By ADAM PRUIETT
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4421 | adamp@nwfdailynews.com
CANTONMENT - There was no time like the present for the Niceville baseball team to start resembling the 2008 final four team.
Behind power pitching and power hitting, the Eagles barreled into the District 1-5A tournament finals Wednesday with a 9-2 victory over Choctawhatchee at Tate's Aggie Field.
Defending champion Niceville (18-9) will play in the title game at 7:30 tonight against the winner of Pace and Tate.
Niceville has played a lot of small ball this season, but Wednesday was all about the long ball. Michael Wells, David Hill and Danny Collins all walloped home runs and five of the Eagles' 11 hits went for extra bases.
"I guess it was just the fact that we knew it was win or go home, so we had to be clutch," Hill, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, said of the power surge. "A lot had to do with the fact that we were trying to hit singles, not home runs, and home runs came."
Meanwhile, Shawn McDorman shook off a rocky first inning to throw an exceptional complete game in which he struck out 12.
"I just hit a groove," McDorman said. "(Catcher) Michael (Wells) called the right pitches, we had a couple people in the dugout like Robert Price who were helping me out a lot. He sees everything in there. I have no idea how."
The Indians (13-12) scored one run in the first when Taylor Kelley had a sacrifice fly after David Weber and Tanner Black opened the game with back-to-back hits, but a potential double that could have led to a big inning was just foul and McDorman worked his way out of the jam.
McDorman didn't allow another run until the seventh inning, when the game was already decided after Niceville's power display.
"They all swung the bats, and they did a good job," Choctaw coach Scott Johnson said of the Eagles. "Our boys battled and came up on the short end."
Johnson said that Wells had Niceville's two most important at bats. He tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning by cranking an opposite field home run before jump-starting a three-run fourth with a single that the Indians misplayed into a triple.
Hill followed Wells by launching his first homer of the year, a two-run shot to left off Kelley. Chris Krenek then drove in Ben DeVall, who had doubled, with a sacrifice fly as Niceville led 4-1.
Collins registered Niceville's third homer when he creamed a two-run shot off Mykal Bailey in the fifth inning.
Robby Campbell, Wells and DeVall each had two hits for Niceville, while Weber and Black had two apiece for Choctaw.
Choctaw 100 000 1 - 2 7 4
Niceville 010 323 x - 9 11 3
WP: Shawn McDorman; LP: Taylor Kelley
Niceville nips Vikings in district quarterfinals
By WILL PARCHMAN
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4484 | willp@nwfdailynews.com
TATE - Jordan Demos' full-extension diving grab on Monday wasn't just the prettiest addition to the left fielder's season-long highlight reel.
It also assured Niceville's quest for a second consecutive District 1-5A tourney title will last at least another game.
The second-seeded Eagles nipped seventh-seeded Fort Walton Beach 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the district tourney, and the Vikings need to look no further than Robert Price's commanding performance from the mound and his backing defense as to why the Eagles are extending their season and the Vikings are ending theirs.
The Vikings (12-10) were threatening Niceville's 2-1 lead in the fourth inning with runners on first and second and no outs. Price struck out one and retired the next batter before J.D. Little crushed a shot to the left-center gap that seemed destined to bring in the tying run and likely the go-ahead score as well.
Demos had other ideas.
"It was a good play, I'll take that all day," Demos said. "I didn't have a good day at the plate, but helping any way I can like that is perfect."
"Huge play, probably the play of the game looking back on it now," Niceville coach Brad Phillips said. "He's been battling an injury and for him to go full speed like that and to lay his body on the line for us, it was nice to see."
Price was tremendously effective on the mound for Niceville (17-9), pounding the strike zone and denying the Vikings an avenue to break open a tight, low-scoring affair. He allowed just five hits and struck out six.
Austin Sullivan and Alex Mara made sure it was both offenses which struggled to score, combining to hold the Eagles to just three hits.
But Niceville got on the board after a passed ball moved runners to second and third in the third inning, and Chris Krenek hit a sacrifice fly. The Eagles then added another in the fourth when Michael Wells cranked a one-run single to center for a 2-0 lead.
The Vikings found a rare opening from Price in the fourth when Mitchell Ankerson lined an RBI single to score Josh Brister from second base and cut the lead in half.
"They made the plays, and that's the key, good pitching and defense, timely hitting," Vikings coach David Garner said. "And they're still playing, and we're going to the house."
Niceville will face the winner of the Choctawhatchee-Escambia matchup, which is set for 4:30 p.m. today
FWB 000 100 0 - 1 5 2
Niceville 011 000 x - 2 3 1
WP: Robert Price; LP: Austin Sullivan
| District 1-5A Tournament at Tate Highschool | ||
April 27 |
Ft Walton Bch (#7) vs |
4:30 PM |
| April 27 Game 2 |
Crestview (#8) vs Pace (#1) |
7:00 PM |
| April 28 Game 3 |
Escambia (#6) vs Choctaw (#3) |
4:00 PM |
| April 28 Game 4 |
Pine Forest (#5) vs Tate (#4) |
7:00 PM |
| April 29 Game 5 |
Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 3 |
4:00 PM |
| April 29 Game 6 |
Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 4 |
7:00 PM |
| April 30 Championship |
Winner Game 5 vs Winner Game 6 |
7:00 PM |
Will Davis pitches against Tate High School. See Photo Gallery for more spectacular shots.
| RANK | TEAM | DISTRICT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pace | 7-0 |
| 2 | Niceville | 6-1 |
| 3 | Choctaw | 4-3 |
| 4 | Tate | 4-3 |
| 5 | Pine Forest | 3-4 |
| 6 | Escambia | 2-5 |
| 7 | Fort Walton | 2-5 |
| 8 | Crestview | 0-7 |
Pace beats Niceville, gains top seed in district tourney
By WILL PARCHMAN
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4484 | willp@nwfdailynews.com
PACE - If the Niceville baseball team hopes to repeat as District 1-5A tourney champs, they'll have to do it as the No. 2 seed.
And the Eagles have a limp offensive performance against top-seeded Pace to thank.
In a battle of district unbeatens for the top spot in the district tourney, Pace came up with a walk-off run in the seventh inning on a costly outfield error to inch past Niceville 2-1 on Thursday.
With the game knotted 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh and a runner on second, Pace's John Soutullo laced a single into left field. But instead of having to stop at third as he would have otherwise, a bobble allowed the runner to come around to a mob scene at home plate to tally the game-winning run.
"We came up there short in the end, had a chance in the top of the seventh, and that's part of it," Niceville coach Brad Phillips said. "(C.J. Bradford) pitched his way out of it."
Robby Campbell led the way for the Eagles, going 3-for-4 with a home run and then a triple in the top of the seventh inning. The Eagles (13-9, 5-1) ultimately loaded the bases that inning but couldn't push home a run to put them ahead.
Eagles starter Robert Price gave up a run on three hits through the first two innings, and he got out of a bases-loaded jam after centerfielder Michael Couelho made a brilliant diving grab with two outs in the second.
Pace's Ryan Parazine stroked an RBI single into left-center to open the scoring run and put the Patriots (17-2, 6-0) out in front in the first inning. But Price settled down over the next four innings, denying Pace an opportunity to build on its 1-0 lead and allowing the Eagles to pull even in the fifth.
Campbell preyed on a two-out offering from Bradford, one of the starting pitcher's few mistakes of the night, pulling it down the line for a solo homer to even the score at 1. But much like Price had done earlier, Bradford, who struck out 10, didn't allow Niceville many more openings.
Niceville 000 010 0 - 1 6 2
Pace 100 000 1 - 2 7 1
WP: C.J. Bradford; LP: Robert Price
See Photo Gallery for New Photos
The Eagles finished out Kentucky week with a bang and celebrated their last home game with Senior Night.
This week the Eagles prepare for a tough final week of regular season games as they hit the road for three games in Pensacola. Tuesdays game against Tate does not count toward the district standings but the Eagles will face Pace, also undefeated in the district, and Escambia on Thursday and Friday to finish out the regular season and fight for the top seed in the district tournament.
IN THE NEWS
NWF Daily News Prep Roundup
Niceville 23, Trigg County (Ky.) 0: Niceville improved its record to 13-7 with the blowout win. No further details were available at presstime.
The Senior Eagles and their Parents would like to thank Carrabba's Italian Grill located at Silver Sands Factory Stores in Sandestin for their generosity. Proprietor Paul Schreiner and his staff provided a delicious meal of Chicken Marsala, Pasta, Salad, Bread and Dessert in honor of Senior Night.
Carrabba's - Sandestin
(850) 837-1140
10562 Emerald Coast Parkway
Sandestin, FL 32550
Sun: 12-9pm, Mon-Thur: 4-10pm, Fri & Sat:4-11pm
Directions: Located at Silver Sands Factory Stores.
IN THE NEWS
NWF Daily News Prep Roundup
Niceville 12, Hopkinsville 0: Niceville pounded out 12 runs on 10 hits with Jordan Demos powering a two-run home run as the Eagles made quick work of Hopkinsville (Ky.).
Hunter Phillips won on the mound.
Niceville hosts Crestview on Thursday.
Niceville wins pair in Beach Bash
By ADAM PRUIETT
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4421 | adamp@nwfdailynews.com
NICEVILLE - The Niceville baseball team is used to scratching and clawing its way to wins this season.
So it was a welcome sight for the Eagles to take a big bite out of an opponent on Friday in the Beach Bash, as they captured a 10-0 run-rule victory over Henry Clay (Ky.) that was preceded by a more typical 5-3 triumph over Paul Dunbar (Ky.).
Click here to view more photos.
Niceville (10-7) got a pair of strong pitching performances from Robert Price and Shawn McDorman, who both fired complete games. Price didn't allow an earned run in the first game and gave up six hits while striking out four. McDorman wasn't sharp - he walked five in five innings - but still grinded out a shutout by baring down when Henry Clay had runners in scoring position.
Niceville home runs were key in both victories. The Eagles went ahead for good against Paul Dunbar when Danny Collins walloped his fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third inning that gave Niceville a 3-2 lead.
Michael Wells drove in the eventual winning run in the fifth with an RBI single, and Cutter Tarpley followed Kyle McDorman's triple with a sacrifice fly for insurance in the sixth. Kyle McDorman and Robby Campbell each had two hits in the first game.
Against Henry Clay, Kyle McDorman, a sophomore, cranked the first home run of his varsity career, sending a three-run blast to straightaway center field to highlight a five-run first inning. Niceville reached the mercy-rule behind a four-run fifth inning. Chris Krenek had his second RBI single of the contest, and Jordan Demos capped the win with a two-run double to left center.
Krenek and Kyle McDorman both had two hits against Henry Clay.
| Panhandle well represented in preseason Perfect Game All-American teams |
|
| Written by Derek Marshman | |
| Friday, 27 March 2009 | |
Jayce Boyd, Brett Lee named to 3rd Team All-American team, while Karsten Whitson and Wes Mugarian get named to 1st Team Underclassmen All-American team. By Team3rd Team All-AmericanBrett Lee - West Florida - P - 6'5, 185 - Committed to Florida State 1st Team All-StateBrett Lee - West Florida - P - 6'5, 185 - Committed to Florida State 2nd Team All-StateJustin Hess - Mosley - P - 6'2, 185 - Undecided Honorable Mention All-StateAlex Bast - Catholic - C - 6'0, 185 - Committed to Air Force 1st Team Underclassmen All-AmericanKarsten Whitson - Chipley - JR - P - 6'4, 190 - Committed to Florida 2nd Team Underclassmen All-AmericanAusten Smith - Catholic - JR - INF - 6'4, 235 - Committed to Alabama 3rd Team Underclassmen All-AmericanLee Hunter - Tate - JR - P - 6'5, 185 - Undecided Honorable Mention Underclassmen All-AmericanBrandon Allen - Milton - JR - 3B/P - 6'5, 180 - Undecided By SchoolNiceville (7)Danny Collins - Honorable Mention All-State Tate (6)Jayce Boyd - 3rd Team All-American, 1st Team All-State Catholic (3)Alex Bast - Honorable Mention All-State Pace (3)C.T. Bradford - Honorable Mention Underclassmen All-American West Florida (3)Josh Fein - Honorable Mention All-State Milton (2)Brandon Allen - Honorable Mention Underclassmen All-American Bay (1)David Trexler - Honorable Mention All-State Chipley (1)Karsten Whitson - 1st Team Underclassmen All-American Crestview (1)David Pyle - Honorable Mention All-State Fort Walton Beach (1)Austin Sullivan - Honorable Mention Underclassmen All-American Gulf Breeze (1)Ben Lively - Honorable Mention Underclassmen All-American Holmes County (1)Aaron Mollet - Honorable Mention All-State Mosley (1)Justin Hess - 3rd Team All-State Pine Forest (1)Josh Branstetter - Honorable Mention All-State
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 27 March 2009 ) |
See Photo Gallery for New JV and Varsity Photos
Niceville nips Northview in Powerade Classic
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
NICEVILLE - Tuesday night proved to be a lesson in patience for the Niceville baseball team, particularly senior designated hitter Danny Collins.
In each of his first two at-bats against Northview's soft-tossing left-hander Joseph Benak, Collins appeared flustered and frustrated, flailing at the Cougar pitcher's off-speed offerings before being retired on harmless pop flies before drawing a walk in the fifth.
"That was the slowest (pitch speed) I've seen in four years," Collins said. "Even facing our JV team, we don't see that. It was rough, but in the end, we adjusted well."
After seeing a 2-0 lead disappear late, Collins led off the eighth inning with a double off the left-center field wall, advanced to third on a wild pitch and came around to score the eventual game-winning run when Ben DeVall pushed the first pitch he saw from reliever Parrish Smith through the drawn-in infield for a 3-2 Eagles' win in the Powerade Classic.
Collins finished the night 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored while DeVall ended the night 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Leadoff batter Robby Campbell, meanwhile, reached base in each of his first three plate appearances before ending the night 3-for-4.
"(Benak) did a good job of keeping us off balance," Niceville coach Brad Phillips said. "We struggled swinging the bat a little bit but we won, basically in the same fashion we've been winning in all year."
Niceville (8-6) received a gutsy, if not always sharp, outing from starting pitcher Shawn McDorman, who despite striking out nine issued four walks, hit two batters and allowed the leadoff batter to reach in each of the first five innings.
"He battled and that's what he does," Phillips said. "He battles and competes."
Niceville struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the second when Cutter Tarpley hit a bloop single to score DeVall and Kyle McDorman. Northview knotted the score in the bottom half of the sixth when back-to-back bunt singles by Smith and Cam Cobb gave the Cougars two on an nobody out. Ingram Hanahan's bunt was then fielded by Shawn McDorman, who quickly fired to third for the first out. But a walk to Dustin Whitfield loaded the bases and Benak followed with a two-run single on a 3-2 pitch to tie it at 2-2.
The score remained deadlocked until Collins' double in the eighth was followed two batters later by Devall's RBI single.
"I was just trying to find something good to hit," Devall said.
Niceville 020 000 01 - 3 8 0
Northview 000 002 00 - 2 8 0
WP: Shawn McDorman; LP: Joseph Benak
Powerade Classic Throws First Pitch Today
By RANDY DICKSON
Florida Freedom Newspapers
CRESTVIEW - Twelve teams from near and afar will be on hand in Okaloosa County next week for the rite of spring known as the Powerade Classic hosted by Crestview High.
Play gets started at 2 p.m. today at Crestview, with Niceville and Fort Walton Beach also slated to host games later in the day.
The championship game is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Crestview.
The fourth Okaloosa County team in the tournament is Choctawhatchee. The county teams will be joined by Navarre, Milton and Washington from Northwest Florida; Shoals Christian, Northview and Houston Academy from Alabama; and Arkansas schools Bentonville and Heritage.
Bulldogs coach Tim Gillis is expecting another great tournament.
"There are a couple of teams out of Alabama that usually come down that are supposed to be real good," he said. "I think Northview is going to be a team that everybody should look to in the tournament that has a good chance of playing in the finals.
"Houston Academy - Mike Mordecai is the head coach there (and) is a former teammate of mine (in the minor leagues) and he played in the major leagues for 10 years. They've done a good job, and they are going to do all right. And usually when a team travels down from Arkansas, they aren't going to travel that far if they don't think they have a chance to compete and win."
Gillis doesn't want to take anything away from the teams coming in from out of state, but he still likes the chances of an area team (or teams) being in the championship game and winning it all.
"There is some good baseball in this area," he said. "You've got Choctaw that's good. Fort Walton is good and Niceville is good.
"You've got teams that are good in Santa Rosa County and Escambia County. I think the competition in this area is always going to be as good or better than anywhere in the country. You talk to people that have played for state championships and they'll say if you get out of this area, you'll be battle tested."
Niceville is Great Against Tate
Robert Price struck out 7 to lead the Niceville defense to a 4-3 district win over Tate High School on Friday night. This improved Niceville's overall district record to 5-0. The Eagles' next district match-up will be against Pace, also 5-0, on April 16th at Pace High School. Make plans to go on the road and support your home town Eagles at this important district match-up. More district rival information can be found HERE.
The next two weeks will be busy for the Eagles as they host several games on "The Hill". Check out Schedules for complete details. See you there!
Niceville baseball tops Crestview 4-1
By RANDY DICKSON
Florida Freedom Newspapers
CRESTVIEW - It took a while for the Niceville baseball team to get to Crestview pitcher Josh Edwards.
Edwards proved to be one part pitcher, another part escape artist giving up just one unearned run through six innings. His effort was even more impressive considering that the Eagles left seven men in scoring position.
When the senior right-hander finally ran out of gas, the Eagles were ready, scoring three times to win the key District 1-5A game 4-1.
Click here to view more photos.
"We had a chance to break it open early but we didn't," Niceville coach Brad Phillips said. "Robert (Eagle pitcher Price) did a nice job of battling until we were able to get a lead.
"He did a nice job of keeping us in the game, and finally we were able to scratch across one or two late. Our guys have been fighting hard all year, and that was a good win for us."
Price gave up four hits in the first two innings, but those hits were the only ones the Bulldogs (3-6, 0-3) had all night. Price struck out 10 Crestview batters.
Crestview did manage to manufacture a run the third inning when a Price pitch hit David Pyle and Edwards worked Price for a base on balls.
A wild pitch allowed the runners to move into scoring position, and Pyle scored on a Cody Hancock sacrifice fly.
Niceville (5-5, 3-0) tied things up in the fifth when Robby Campbell stole third and scored on a throwing error by Crestview catcher Tyler Davis. Campbell led off the fifth with a base hit and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Demos.
Campbell grounded out to lead off the seventh. Four Eagles reached base before Niceville made another out. Demos singled, Danny Collins walked and David Hill singled to load the bases and mark the end of Edwards' night.
Andrew Wirth replaced Edwards and hit Michael Wells to score Demos with what turned out to be the winning run.
Collins scored on a Ben DeVall base hit. Hill scored a final insurance run as Kyle McDorman grounded into a fielder's choice.
Crestview coach Tim Gillis offered no excuses for his team as the Crestview losing streak stretched to six games.
"We just have to play better, bottom line," he said. "We didn't make plays down the stretch. Josh threw the ball well and got out of some trouble we got him in.
"We didn't get it done when we took him out. But give Niceville credit, top to bottom in their lineup they are all tough outs. They made all the plays, and they pitched it good and that's how you win."
Niceville 000 010 3 - 4 7 0
Crestview 001 000 0 - 1 4 5
WP -Robert Price; LP - Josh Edwards
JV- Niceville won 7-3
LaGrange Invitational Headlines
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Niceville pitches way
to win over Vikings
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
FORT WALTON BEACH - Niceville coach Brad Phillips could not have scripted it any better.
Niceville starting pitcher Hunter Phillips threw two innings of one-hit ball then exited and watched as five relievers combined to limit Fort Walton Beach to just two hits over the final five innings while his own lineup continued with its trend of timely hitting as the Eagles scraped their way to a 3-0 District 1-5A win over the Vikings.
Click here to view more photos.
"It's another team hard-fought win," Phillips said. "That's the way this year has been up to this point. I like the fact that we're getting timely hits when we need to."
Niceville (4-1) finally broke through against Fort Walton Beach starting pitcher J.D. Little in the fifth when a one-out walk to Eagles catcher Michael Wells was followed by an RBI double into the left field corner by Danny Collins.
The early run would prove to be more than enough for Niceville, as one by one, the Eagles shuffled in one effective reliever for another.
"We needed to get some work," Phillips said. "All of them needed their work, that was the plan. Whatever happened we wanted to get Shawn (McDorman) in at the end to close it out, (and) hopefully have the lead with him, which we did."
Niceville tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth off Viking reliever Robin Bailey as a pair of walks came back to bite Fort Walton Beach when Wells dumped an RBI single into right to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. One batter later, Collins followed with another RBI double, this one reaching the fence in left center.
Wells finished 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk, a hit by pitch one RBI and one run. Collins was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI doubles.
Fort Walton Beach would load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and send its most potent bat - No. 5 hitter Josh Brister - to the plate, but the Eagles would spring off the field and back into its dugout following a strikeout. Just two innings earlier, it appeared Brister had given the Vikings their own 3-0 lead when he crushed Robert Price's 3-1 offering over the left field fence.
But the home plate umpire ruled the ball foul and one pitch later Price retired Brister with a high fastball.
The loss dropped the Vikings' record to 1-3 on the season.
"We just have to keep chopping wood," Fort Walton Beach coach David Garner said.
Niceville 000 012 0 - 3 5 4
FWB 000 000 0 - 0 3 0
WP: Robert Price LP: J.D. Little
Niceville Tops Choctaw In District Action
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
www.nwfvarsity.com
NICEVILLE - Two games into what appears to be a tight District 1-5A race, Niceville may have already discovered its stride.
For the second time in as many nights, the Eagles combined stellar pitching and timely hitting to come away with a 3-2 win over Choctawhatchee when senior David Hill smacked a bases-loaded single over a drawn in outfield for the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
Click here to view more photos.
The win pushed the Eagles' record to 2-0 in district play and, at least for the time being, placed Niceville atop what could be a back and forth district race.
"This was a big one," Niceville coach Brad Phillips said. "A lot was on the line tonight, this one put somebody in the driver seat, whether they wanted it or not.
"It's going to be a crazy year in the district."
Robert Price threw a two-hitter and recorded the win for Niceville (3-1) by shaking off a first inning run and striking out 10 Choctaw batters, the last of which came in a sixth inning that saw the Indians put runners on first and second. Price responded to the mild threat with a strikeout.
"He's a scrawny guy that will compete for you 24-7," Niceville third baseman Danny Collins said.
Tied at 2 in the bottom of the sixth, Niceville loaded the bases against Choctaw reliever Mykal Bailey with nobody out when Ben DeVall was struck by a pitch, but pinch hitter Michael Wells then grounded into a double play.
Bailey then struck Kyle Kennedy with a pitch to reload the bases before retiring Chase Darhower on a ground ball to escape the inning without allowing the go-ahead run to cross the plate.
Frustrated as they were, players in the Niceville dugout smelled blood.
"We had momentum on our side," Collins, who finished with a home run and a double, said. "We wanted to keep it going."
Sensing as much, Price did his part, retiring Choctaw in order in the seventh.
"I wanted to get in and get out," Price said. "I wanted to get my batters back in as soon as possible."
Jordan Demos hit a one-out single to left and stole second base before catcher A.J. Gomez reached on a throwing error. Collins was issued an intentional walk, brining up Hill, who had gone 0-for-2 while reaching on catcher's interference.
After fouling off a tough 1-2 offering from Bailey, Hill jumped on the next pitch, sending an arching shot to the wall in left center field to knock in the game winner.
"I knew I had to get the job done," Hill said. "I just told myself it's got to get done."
After spending all of the preseason preaching the importance of pushing runners over and working the count, Phillips said the Eagles' entrance into district play has offered both he and his team a glimpse of what is possible.
"The last two nights have been fun," Phillips said. "This is the style of ball we can play. We've been working on it and to see it executed in a game is fun to watch."
Choctaw 100 010 0 222
Niceville 100 100 1 340
W: Robert Price L: Ryan Kelly
Niceville Edges Fort Walton Beach
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
nwfvarsity.com
NICEVILLE - First-year Niceville baseball coach Brad Phillips may still be learning some of the ins and outs of the Eagles' roster, but when the time came for a pitching change in the fourth inning of Thursday's District 1-5A opener against Fort Walton Beach, Phillips knew just where to turn.
Having just retaken a 3-2 lead with a three-run second inning, Niceville starter Hunter Phillips labored to start the fourth, putting on a pair of Viking runners. It was then Phillips went to the Eagles' bullpen in search of "some strikeout potential."
Enter Niceville senior Shawn McDorman.
McDorman struck out seven batters and walked two over four innings while the Eagles' patient lineup produced some timely hitting in the sixth inning to propel Niceville to a 4-3 win.
Click here to see more photos. Click here to see video.
"(McDorman) got us out of a jam," Phillips said. "We played like we were supposed to - small ball."
Niceville (2-1, 1-0 District 1-5A) registered seven hits against Vikings starter Alex Mora, and only three made it out of the infield. Danny Collins led off the sixth with a sharply hit single through the left side before coming around to score the eventual game-winning run on a one-out infield single by Chris Krenek., who had been hitless.
"That was a good at-bat because the previous at-bat was poor," Phillips said. "At that particular time we just needed some kind of contact and that's what he did - just enough to change the game."
After allowing three runs in the second, Fort Walton Beach's (1-1, 0-1) Mora settled into a groove, retiring nine straight at one point and ending the night with 10 strikeouts.
"He was the hard-luck loser tonight," Vikings coach David Garner said.
Garner could have easily referred to an incident in the sixth inning when David Hill was ruled to have been struck by a pitch despite appearing to have swung at the Mora offering following Collins' single. Garner burst out of the Vikings' dugout in protest but the ruling stood.
After a passed ball moved Collins to third base, Mora retired Ben DeVall on strikes for the first out before Krenek - who had struck out in each of his previous at-bats - came through with the game-winner.
Armed once again with the lead, McDorman slammed the door shut on any hopes of a Viking comeback.
"You have to tip your cap to McDorman," Garner said. "He clocked us."
FWB 200 100 0 - 3 4 1
Niceville 030 001 x - 4 7 3
WP: Shawn McDorman; LP: Alex Mara
Prep baseball 2009 season preview
By TRAVIS DOWNEY
Northwest Florida Daily News
(850) 315-4476 | travisd@nwfdailynews.com
Niceville's Brad Phillips and Paxton's Jeff Bradley are two area baseball coaches in two different yet not wholly dissimilar situations.
Both enter the 2009 season looking to lead traditional powers on deep postseason runs. Both also return rosters that feature some of the necessary pieces to the puzzle already in place.
But each will open the 2009 season - just as will every other team in the area - looking to find solutions to their own distinct uncertainties.
At Niceville, Phillips' first Eagles' team is one still teeming with talent following last year's state semifinals appearance. Yet no longer can the Eagles count on pitching stalwarts Austin Wood and Brett DeVall, as well as lineup fixtures Josh McDorman and Matt Herndon, leaving the Eagles with noticeable holes in need of filling.
Niceville does return Alabama signee Danny Collins, Pensacola Junior College signee Shawn McDorman and Robert Price, a left-handed pitcher also currently signed with Northwest Shoals Community College, so the cupboard is far from bare.
Perhaps Niceville's tallest task has nothing to do with its depth chart and, instead, lies in adjusting to its new coach who brings with him a new attitude and a new direction.
"It's been tough on everybody at times," Phillips said of the transition period that began in earnest shortly after the Eagles' loss to South Fork. "When there's change, a lot of times you're used to doing something one way and something else is expected of you that might be totally different."
And while Paxton, too, is eager to build on last season's appearance in the regional finals, the theme of change isn't so prevalent. Instead, after three straight seasons that ended with a loss to Eagles' View - the last two of which occurred in the regional finals - Paxton is hoping to take the next logical step in the program's development: namely, reaching the final four.
"These jokers are hungry," Bradley said. "They want to get to the final four. We still have the same obstacles to face, but we've got them with a very experienced team versus what we had last year."
Last year, Paxton had zero seniors on its roster and relied heavily on inexperienced players to fill positions of need. Now, with players such as Zach Forehand, Jesse Crawford and Ryan Lewellen each having gained a full year of service under their belt, Bradley believes Paxton could field its deepest team in quite some time.
"You always set your goals big," Bradley said. "We always have the philosophy that we want to set our goals to the point where you're always trying to reach them - get to the state tournament and win a state championship."
Laurel Hill, which fell to Paxton in the regional semifinals last season, returns seniors Will Sherwood, Justin Bailey and Joey Okkena while Freeport, which reached the regional quarterfinals, returns Jamison Henshaw, Coty Porter and Cole Weeks, among others.
And while his approach may differ from that of his predecessors, Phillips is intent on up keeping Niceville's tradition of excellence.
"No matter how you do it, the end result is winning," Phillips said. "The coaches that have been here in the past, when you look back on it, they've all had different styles, but they've all accomplished the same things ... building on the tradition that (Niceville) has." www.nwfvarsity.com
NHS Head Coach Brad Phillips has announced the coaching staff and players for the 2009 Niceville High School Baseball Program. (See Rosters and Coaches for more information).
The team was undefeated in the pre-season Kick-off Classic held at Fort Walton Beach High School on February 12-13. They defeated the the FWB Vikings 3-2 and the Crestview Bulldogs 7-0.
The season home opener will be on Thursday, February 26, 2009 against Fort Walton Beach. The JV plays at 3:00 p.m. followed by the varsity at 6:00 p.m.
The Eagles are the defending District I Class 5A Champions and a 2008 Florida State 
5A High School Final Four participant. The Eagles will once again play in one of the toughest districts in Florida which includes: Fort Walton Beach, Choctaw, Crestview, Pine Forest, Tate, Pace, and Escambia. They will also face a competitive non-district schedule, traveling to Troy, AL, and LaGrange, GA. The Eagles are also scheduled to play teams from Kentucky and Tennessee over Spring Break.
All Varsity games will be broadcast live by Arty Goodman on the internet at www.thenewfishradio.com and the team will be featured throughout the season on the Monday Night Eagles Radio Show, live from Beef O'Brady's in Bluewater Bay every Monday at 6:00 p.m.
Congratulations to Danny Collins, who has signed to play with the University of Alabama next year, for winning the prestigious Wiregrass Homerun Derby.
By
Jon Johnson
Published: February 7, 2009
Danny Collins of Niceville (Fla.) High was penciled in to hit between professional sluggers Cody Johnson and Gabe Gross.
His nerves were on end as he stood at the plate in the championship round of the 15th Annual Wiregrass High School Home Run Derby at Pitman Field on Saturday afternoon.
“My heart was racing a million miles,” Collins said.
After a couple of swings, however, Collins was a cool customer in ripping 16 home runs to win the high school portion of the event.
Professional Clint Robinson, a former Northview and Troy standout now in the Kansas City Royals organization, was the overall winner with 20 home runs.
“You get to come out here with a bunch of my buddies and enjoy the day,” Robinson said. “This is a game for kids, and I’m very fortunate and thankful to be able to do it as a professional.”
There were 39 high school players who went through preliminary rounds for a chance to advance to the finals and test their power-hitting skills against five professionals with local ties. The prep players used aluminum bats, while the pros used wooden bats.
The three high school players making it to the finals after each hitting 11 home runs during the preliminary rounds were Collins, Cass Abercrombie of G.W. Long and Chris Morris of Enterprise.
Collins, a University of Alabama signee who still has his senior season to complete at Niceville this spring, said he got word of the event from his prep coach Brad Phillips, formerly of Charles Henderson.
“I’ve been working on this,” Collins said of his home run swing. “I didn’t think I would do this well. It definitely brought me down to earth hitting between those two big hitters.”
Gross, the former Northview and Auburn star who played last year in the World Series with Tampa Bay, was perhaps the star attraction, but Robinson and a couple of Enterprise products led the way for the pros.
Adam Godwin, who played at Enterprise High, EOCC and Troy, hit 14 home runs to finish behind Robinson in the pro category, while former Enterprise star Robert Brooks, now in the Atlanta Braves organization, hit 12 home runs.
“This is always a lot of fun,” Godwin said. “I get to come out here and do what every kid would love to do.”
Godwin played in the Southern League all of last season in Jacksonville, Fla., and hopes to make the Dodgers’ AAA club this year, which is just a step away from the big leagues.
“I’m going to fight for a triple-A spot in spring training with the goal of ending the season in Los Angeles,” Godwin said.
Gross had 10 home runs in Saturday’s derby, while Johnson, who won the overall championship as a prep player for Mosley (Fla.) in 2006 and is now in the Braves’ organization, finished with eight.
Morris hit eight home runs and Abercrombie six to finish behind Collins in the high school division.
Morris, who is a senior at Enterprise High, was competing in his first home run derby.
“It was great — a lot of fun hitting with these guys,” Morris said. “You saw how hard they were hitting those balls.”
While well-known pros such as Chipper Jones, Ryan Klesko and Wes Helms have been part of the derby, in recent years event organizer Larry Tubbs has decided to feature locals who are involved in professional baseball.
“These guys are such good guys,” Tubbs said. “I will always stay with the local guys now.”
On what was a picture-perfect day, a large crowd turned out to watch the hitting display.
“This is the largest crowd we’ve ever had,” Tubbs said. “I’m very pleased.”
Proceeds from the event go to help fund the Dothan Post 12 American Legion baseball club, which Tubbs manages. The event was co-founded by Tubbs and former major leaguer Mike Mordecai, who is now the baseball coach at Houston Academy and served as the pitcher in the finals on Saturday.
Each year, a scholarship to Enterprise-Ozark Community College is presented in the honor of David Hussey, a former Enterprise player who won the 1997 derby before dying in an automobile accident later that year. This year’s recipient was Ryan Johnson of Enterprise High.
Congratulations to senior, Danny Collins. He has signed to play with the University of Alabama next year. Click HERE for NWF Daily News Article.
Niceville Welcomes New Baseball CoachNiceville High School Principal, Dr. Linda Smith and Athletic Director, John Hicks announce the appointment of Brad Phillips as Niceville High School Baseball Head Coach. Coach Phillips comes to NHS from Charles Henderson High School in Troy, Alabama where in four seasons he directed his team to a 114-51 record, ending his final season with a school best 35 wins against 13 losses. Under Coach Phillips’ direction Charles Henderson finished as the Alabama state Class 5A runner up for their 2008 season and saw all 21 graduating senior players go on to attend college with 11 receiving college scholarships. Prior to Charles Henderson, Coach Phillips was an Assistant Baseball Coach at Troy University. Coach Phillips is a native of Hazel Green, Alabama where he was the Huntsville Times Madison County Pitcher of the Year in 1996. He was a three-time all-county selection and a two-time Huntsville Times all-metro selection. He played collegiately at Gadsden State in 1998-1999 and at Montevallo in 2000-2001. Coach Phillips received his BS in Social Sciences, with a minor in Health Science from Troy University. He is teaching Geography at Niceville High School. |
