John Wood College couldn’t score a run against PJC softball

Ker-Seh Dahn-The Corsair

The PJC Lady Pirates came out with a massive softball swing shutting out John Wood College March 10 in a double header.  

“Everyone got to play and got some experience out there on the field,” Head Coach Brenda Pena said.

The first game ended at 7-0. There wasn’t a chance for John Wood players to come back and take on the Pirates.

In the second game, the Lady Pirates were up two to nothing in the bottom of the first inning; as Kaci Pribanic and Hannah Wilson made their way home for the earned runs.

But it wasn’t until the second inning when Lady Pirates brought in the action.

Bases were loaded when Gerisi Garcia stepped onto the plate to send one runner home, making the score 3-0. At that point, John Wood College kept making errors and the Lady Pirates line-up collected eight more runs.

The mercy rule interrupted the second game cutting it short after the top of the fifth inning, due to the Lady Pirates drastic lead 11-0.

“We are very excited for Conference to start, and look forward to seeing [PJC] out here supporting your Lady Pirates,” Pena said.

 The first conference game is March 17 and it will be the beginning of a very competitive league, according to Pena.

Softball field on schedule

Lauren Fagler

Published: October 29, 2008

The first phase of Pensacola Junior College’s new $646,000 track and softball field on the Pensacola campus is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 28.

The new women’s softball field, built in accordance with National Collegiate Athletic Association regulations, includes a new batting cage, new and improved intramural fields and the new track.

Second-phase work will include construction of new home and visitor locker rooms, bleachers and public restrooms.

“The design work is being completed now for Phase II, and we hope to do the construction next year but there is no firm schedule at this time,” said Michael Hayse, assistant director of facilities planning and construction.

Currently, new track lights, installation of an asphalt base for the track, a new irrigation well and land grading are all being done.

“Other than some minor setbacks, we are currently on schedule,” Hayse said.

The track will no longer be a traditional oval shape — meaning no more running around in circles. The shape of the new track has been described as a “Grand Prix” shape. It also will have four lanes instead of eight and will be 1/5 mile in length. The track surface will still be asphalt and not rubber.

Athletic Director and head baseball coach Bill Hamilton has a positive outlook about the project.

“I feel it will help the softball fan base and it will cut down on a lot of driving for our coaches and players. We probably spend $100 a week in gas for just one van. This will help recruiting, attendance and peace of mind,” he said.

Reaction to the project is mainly positive on campus.

“I don’t know how Brenda (Pena, softball head coach) and her team travel like that every day,” said Doug Rogers, coordinator of intramurals. “I will personally be making more games this year because I like to watch softball and I now have a convenient view out my window.”

Said team leader and returning pitcher Julianne Beaugh: “I am extremely excited about the new field and I know everyone else is, too. We cannot wait until it is done. It should be done just in time for the spring season.”

Beaugh does not mind the move because the new facilities are closer, nicer and the team will be getting its own batting cages and will no longer have to share and schedule around the PJC baseball team.

Butch Branch, L.I.F.E. center coordinator and SGA/student leadership advisor at the Milton campus, said he was sad to see the softball team leave Milton but understands the reasoning.

“I know that it’s in the best interest of the softball players,” Branch said.

The old field will be used for more parking on the Milton campus, Branch said.

The track on the Pensacola campus has been around since the 1980s.

Geraldine Puertas participates in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

From Staff Reports

Published: Monday, September 8, 2008

Pensacola Junior College softball player Geraldine Puertas hit one around the globe for PJC even though Team USA hammered her home country, Venezuela, 11-0 at the Olympic opener Aug. 12.

The PJC sophomore is an infielder/designated hitter for the Venezuelan team, which is experiencing its first Olympics. Softball preliminaries continue up to Aug. 20 when medal play begins for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Puertas, a recreation technology major, leaves Beijing Aug. 22 and heads straight for PJC. She is the starting third baseman for PJC and returns for the 2008-2009 Pirates softball season.

PJC softball coach Brenda Pena and team members caught Day 1 of the Olympic softball tournament at Pensacola’s Kooter Browns restaurant. They watched Puertas make sports history for her college alma mater and home country.

“It was such a proud moment,” Pena said. “I was proud for her and proud for PJC to have one of our athletes on the international stage playing against the best players in the world.”

In her freshman year at PJC, Puertas received recognition for All-State second team and Academic All-Conference honors. She was also voted to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region Team.

“Geraldine is an outstanding person,” Pena said. “It is a great feeling to know you are helping people not only in your own backyard but from around the world.”

“Educating the youth of today is the key to our future success. While Geraldine is here getting a quality education, she is sharing her international experience with us.

“She is a tremendous teammate and as unassuming as she is talented. She is gracious and thankful in her actions. I can’t wait for her to return to see her smile, hear her laugh and to hear all about her Olympic experience. I am proud to be her coach.”

For more information, contact Pena at 850-516-7689.