Sports Archive

To paraphrase the old poem, Casey at the Bat, there was no joy in Baker on Thursday as the Gators were shut out. Not too many things, if any went well for the Baker baseball team against Walton. Misplayed fly balls, poor base running and a lack of quality at bats were not what Gator fans ordered.

Laurel Hill softball coach Diedre Harrison didn’t do her team any favors when she scheduled rival Paxton for the season-opener. And although the Hoboes and Bobcats are now in different districts, the rivalry should remain as intense as ever.

Michelle Howard enters her seventh season as the Crestview High School softball coach with great expectations for the Lady Bulldog program.

“I think that we have a really high expectation, the coaching staff does,” Howard said. “I think that we have the ability to do some really big things.

It has been a banner year for Crestview High School athletics on the field and in the classroom.

The school recently recognized the 15 student-athletes that have signed athletic scholarships so far this school year.

It takes more than mastering the skills in a martial art like Taekwon-Do to advance to the next belt level. As students at the Gordon Martial Arts recent advancement ceremony proved, dedication is also required.

The five candidates for black belt spent many an arduous hour perfecting their craft — and that was before they tackled the belt test. One challenge they faced was that academy owner Master Tom Gordon and his instruction team don’t hand out gimmes.

Laurel Hill head baseball coach Cory McSween was a young assistant coach to Ronnie Smith the last time the Hoboes were in the playoffs. That was more than a decade ago in 2012 and McSween, now in his fourth year leading the program, would like to see that drought come to an end.

Crestview High School flag football coach Damon Welch didn’t need many words to describe the way the Lady Bulldogs played on Thursday. “Great,” he said when asked to describe the game.

Laurel Hill baseball coach Cory McSween had no explanation for his team’s defensive meltdown against L.E.A.D Academy on Tuesday. The Hoboes made 10 errors and allowed six stolen bases for by the Lions. Add seven walks and a hit batter and it was recipe for disaster for Laurel Hill.

Coming off a win over Pensacola High School at Blue Wahoo Stadium on Saturday, the Baker baseball team was in for a let down on Monday. The Gators played host to a talented Cottondale team that was looking for a first win of the season.

Wyatt Straight didn’t hesitate to sacrifice his body for the good of the team. With a runner charging towards home in the second inning, the Baker freshman raced to the plate, held the ball tightly in his glove and absorbed a hit that knocked him to the ground. No way was he not going to make the play here in the Gator’s game against Pensacola on a mild evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium in Pensacola.