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Winter begins to fade, and the cold starts to lose its grip. The days get longer, and there is a sense of new beginnings and fresh starts. Emerging from months inside, we journey back to the diamond, yearning for the sights, sounds, and smells of another season of baseball: the freshly cut, emerald green grass; the smooth red clay and sharp white lines; the crack of a bat and pop of leather. Nothing is more American than our national pastime. From legends such as Don Sutton, Travis Fryman, and Jay Bell, to today’s MLB rising star, Addison Russell, the Florida panhandle has a deep history of producing great ball players, and from what we can see, this area is continuing that legacy. To get us ready for more memorable times at the ballpark, In The Game Magazine gathered some of the best.
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Carl Gindl
Pensacola Catholic High School
Junior
Center Fielder
Coach Richard LaBounty
Parents: Carl & Teresa Gindl
Siblings: Phillip
Biggest Influence: Parents and Coaches
Athletic Notes: Pensacola News Journal Hitter of the Year, 3 year varsity starter
Academics: First Honors
Scholarships: offer for baseball to Ole Miss
Future: study engineering
Goals: win the state championship
Jonathon Livingston
Fort Walton Beach High School
Senior
Center Field/Pitcher
Coach: Joseph Rogers
Parents: Don & Shelly Livingston
Siblings: Josh and Joe Livingston, Joy Beatty
Biggest Influence: My father and coach Rogers
Academics: A-B Honor Roll
Future: Not sure on a school yet, but I plan on following baseball wherever it leads
Goal: win state
Donovan Benoit
Pensacola Catholic High School
Junior
Outfield/Pitcher
Coach: Richard LaBounty
Parents: Paul & Sharon Benoit
Sibling: Islay Benoit
Athletic Acheivements: 3 year varsity starter
Academics: Academic Honor Roll
Future: pursuing baseball scholarship to The University of Tennessee, wants to study Law and Sports Management
Goals: Win State
Trace Penton
Tate High School
Senior
Center Fielder
Coach: Greg Blackmon
Parents: Howard & Becky Penton
Sibling: Jackson Penton
Athletics: Team Captain for Varsity Football and Baseball Teams
Academics: 4.3 GPA
Future: attending the University of West Florida and going Pre-Med
Cole Halfacre
Tate High School
Senior
Catcher
Coach: Greg Blackmon
Parents: Don & Chania Halfacre
Siblings: Reid and Hannah Halfacre
Biggest Influence: my father
Academics: 3.7 GPA
Future: attending and playing at North West Florida State College
Goals: win State
Branden Fryman
Tate High School
Senior
Shortstop
Coach: Greg Blackmon
Parents: Travis & Kathleen Fryman
Siblings: Mason and Cole Fryman
Biggest Influence: my father
Athletics: 1st Team 7A All-State Short-Stop
Academics: 3.5 GPA
Future: attending Samford University on a baseball scholarship and studying business
Goals: win State Championship
Chase Beckstrom
Pace High School
Senior
Second Base
Coach: Jason McBride
Parents: Jimmy & Kristie Beckstrom
Siblings: Tayler
Future: would like to attend the University of South Alabama or the University of West Florida and study engineering
Goal: “Practice like we play.”
Andrew Bates
Pace High School
Junior
Center Field
Coach: Jason McBride
Parents: Jim & Mindy Bates
Siblings: Juliana Bates
Biggest Influence: my father
Academics: highest GPA on Varsity Baseball Team
Future: attending the University of South Alabama on a baseball scholarship and studying Civil Engineering
Goals: Hit over .500, no errors, and as a team win the State Championship
Justin Barr
Milton High School
Senior
Short Stop
Coach: George Blake
Parents: Wayne & Deanna Barr
Siblings: Amanda, April, Joey, Sheldon, Jade, Emalee
Biggest Influences: my father and coach Blake
Athletics: Pitched a perfect game
Academics: No. 5 in senior class
Future: attending Central Alabama Community College on a baseball scholarship and becoming an orthopeadic surgeon
Goals: win the State Championship
Chase Shell
Milton High School
Senior
Infielder/Pitcher
Coach: George Blake
Parents: Robby Shell and Jo Morgan
Siblings: Chance and Ashten Shell
Biggest Influence: my Grandparents
Athletics: Pitcher of the Year 2015, 2015 All Area Team
Academics: Honor Grade
Future: attending Alabama Southern on a baseball scholarship
Goals: to win State and play professional baseball
Parker Baynes
Gulf Breeze High School
Junior
Shortstop
Coach: Randy Renfroe
Parents: Ginny & Jay Baynes
Siblings: Taylor
Biggest Influence: my family
Athletics: 2nd Team All-Area Football
Academics: Academic Award for baseball with a 3.5 GPA
Future: interested in UCF, USF, & UF
Goals: win State
Brandon Schrepf
Gulf Breeze High School
Sophmore
Outfielder
Coach: Randy Renfroe
Parents: Mick Schrepf
Influential People: Scott Lemond
Athletics: Siver Slugger
Academics: 3.5 GPA
Future: interested in UNC, FSU, & UF
Goals: win a state championship and hit over .450
Brady Smith
Niceville High School
Junior
6’0 190 Shortstop/Catcher
David & Diane Smith, sister Brooke
I have been playing baseball my whole life.
My family is the biggest influence on my life for making me the baseball player I am today.
3.25 GPA
Verbally committed to the University of Florida; also I made the 40 man roster for the 2016 Team USA 18u National Baseball Team
Pursue a degree in Sports Management
Love to play golf
Michael Rodriguez
Fort Walton Beach High School
Senior
I am 5’10” and weigh 175 pounds. I can play all positions on the baseball field, but enjoy catching and outfield the most.
My parents are Ruben and Diana Rodriguez.
I have played baseball since I was 5 years old.
The people who have influenced me the most in my athletic career are my parents and grandparents because they have always supported me in everything I do and have taught me to work hard for everything I have.
My academic achievements are being on the A/B honor roll and having a 3.2 GPA.
The team and I have been working very hard throughout the fall season. We want to produce great things as a team and as individuals. I hope to enjoy my last season with the Vikings, and hopefully it turns into a positive season as well.
I hope to create an opportunity to play college baseball after this season anywhere that I can. If baseball is not in my future, I want to go to college and pursue a degree in architectural engineering.
Other hobbies of mine are spending time with my family and going to play basketball with my friends. I also like to try new things whenever the opportunity comes around.
Something most people don’t know about me is that I was born and lived in Anchorage, Alaska for ten years and then Okinawa, Japan for three years before I moved to Florida.
Corey Armstrong
Crestview High School
Height/Weight/Position: 5’9”, 200 lbs., Middle Infielder, Pitcher
Parents: Steve & Miriam Armstrong
Years in the sport: 11
Influential people in your athletic career: Tim Gillis, Steve Armstrong
Academic achievements: Honor student for most of my education
Athletic Achievements: two-time Travel Ball Select All-American, three-time Travel Ball World Series MVP, Elite 32 World Series Winner, four-year Varsity Baseball & Football Starter @ Crestview HS, District 2 Class 6A Baseball Champion in 2013, two-time Pre-Season Under Armor All-American, 2015 Northwest Florida Daily News Hitter of the Year
College plans: to obtain an Engineering Degree and play baseball at the collegiate level
Other pursuits, hobbies: Weight Lifting/Strength Training
Something most people don’t know about you: I live by my own “Golden Rules”: Being a leader by example, not being a selfish player, ba role model of strong character, respect for the game of baseball
Colter Hancock
Crestview High School
Height/Weight/Position: 5’9”, 190 lbs., Pitcher, Catcher, 3rd Base
Parents: Bill & Kim Hancock
Years in the sport: 13
Influential people in your athletic career: Tim Gillis, Ryan Gillis, Jason DeGraaf
Academic achievements: High Honors Award
Athletic Achievements: two-time All Conference, 2013 MVP
College plans: attend Huntingdon College and play baseball
Other pursuits, hobbies: golf
Something most people don’t know about you: I drive a Mustang.
Evan Floyd
Pensacola Catholic High School
Senior
Pitcher
Coach: Richard LaBounty
Parents: Scott & Ann Floyd
Siblings: Elizabeth, Emma, and Ellen
Biggest Influence: My parents are the biggest influence on my life, setting examples of right and wrong
Athletics: Varsity Baseball and Football
Academics: National Honor Society, Honor Roll 3 years
Futue: attending the United States Air Force Academy and playing baseball, studying aeronautical engineering
Goals: team to surpass last year’s success and personally have a below 2.00 ERA
Chance Huff
Niceville High School
Sophmore
Pitcher
Coach: Joe Nedoroscik
Parents: Chandler & Cheri Huff
Siblings: Christian
Biggest Influence: My family and friends are the biggest influence on my life.
Academics: all As
Future: committed to Vanderbilt for baseball; undecided on course of study
Goals: hope to win the State Championship
Blake Gray
Niceville High School
Senior
Outfield
Coach: Joe Nedoroscik
Parents: Jim and Sheri Gray
Biggest Influence: Parents
Academics: 3.7 weighted GPA
Athletics: Captain of freshman and JV Baseball Team, Unsung Hero Award for Varsity
Future: accepted Baseball Scholarship to McKendree University; studying- Sports Marketing
I want to travel, and I am a hockey fanatic!
Will West
Niceville High School
Senior
Pitcher
Coach: Joe Nedoroscik
Parents: Bill & Connie West
Biggest Influence: My father is the biggest influence on me.
Academics: Niceville Hall of Fame, AP Scholar with distinction, National Merit Semifinalist, Niceville Sunshine State Scholar
Athletics: 3 yr varsity letterman, 2-time first team all area, Niceville Wendy’s Heisman Winner
Future: play college baseball and study biomedical engineering
Most people don’t know I can hit and play the field also!
Spring Is In the Air
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