Mesa’s Walk-off Homer Sends Wahoos To 6-4 Win
September 2, 2023
Victor Mesa Jr. has enjoyed a flair for dramatics at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The centerfielder did it again in a big way Friday night following a lengthy rain delay and tied game, blasting a towering, 2-out, 2-run, walk-off home run over the right field wall to lift the Blue Wahoos to a 6-4 victory against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
It was his second homer of the game and his second walk-off homer this season. On July 22, he blasted the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history in a 12-8 win against the Rocket City Trash Pandas. It also became the Blue Wahoos’ third walk-off win via a home run this season.
This one, however, may have been the most satisfying.
After taking a 4-1 lead into the sixth inning, the Blue Wahoos were tied in the eighth inning when a massive storm struck the ballpark. It happened after the Lookouts were retired in order in top of the eighth.
A 1-hour, 9-minute delay ensued.
Blue Wahoos reliever Jefry Yan earned his third win with some clutch pitching in the ninth inning and a great defensive play by Blue Wahoos left fielder Tanner Allen, a Mobile native.
Yan allowed a lead-off single, then committed a balk to move the Lookouts’ Matheu Nelson into scoring position at second. But Yan got next batter James Free to pop out. The Lookouts’ Ivan Johnson followed with a liner to left that Allen caught with a sensational dive, then threw out Nelson before he got back to second to end the inning on a double play.
With two outs, none on in the bottom of the ninth, Nasim Nuñez drew a walk. Nuñez was playing in his first game in more than a week after sustaining an injury against Biloxi. He came back by going 3-for-4, all singles, plus reaching on the pivotal walk in the ninth.
Mesa followed by hitting a low fastball from reliever Steve Branch high into the thick air, then having the wind continue to carry the moon shot over the right field wall to end the game.
The Lookouts’ right fielder Rece Hinds, a former Niceville High star returning to Northwest Florida for the first time, had a big night with a pair of solo homers that helped Chattanooga back into the game.
The Blue Wahoos jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Mesa’s solo blast over the right-center wall before newcomer Jake Thompson connected on a two-run single. He joined the club Friday from the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate, the Beloit Sky Carp.
Cody Morissette provided the Blue Wahoos their fourth run with a solo homer in the fourth inning. But the Lookouts bullpen kept Pensacola in check until the ninth.
It was only the Blue Wahoos’ second win in nine games against the Lookouts, who suffered a six-game sweep three weeks ago in Chattanooga and won the Southern League North Division first half title.
The game was stopped at 8:43 p.m. before the Blue Wahoos batted in the bottom of the eighth inning. The grounds crew consisting of Blue Wahoos front office staff raced to get the tarp on the field before the rain fell.
The Blue Wahoos will now try to win another in the fifth game between the teams on Saturday. Blue Wahoos lefthander Jonathan Bermúdez (3-5, 5.07 ERA) will go against Chattanooga righty Chase Petty, making his Double-A debut.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Grocery Tax In Alabama Lowered By 1%; Walmart Error Double Taxes Customers Friday
September 1, 2023
The tax on food in Alabama was lowered by 1% on Friday under a bill passed by the Alabama legislature.
The state’s sales tax was lowered from 4% to 3% on food items. Most counties and municipalities add additional sales tax, making the full tax over twice as much. On September 1 of next year, the tax on food items will be lowered another 1% if conditions are met — if the growth from other tax sources is up by at least 3.5% for the Education Trust Fund.
On Friday, Walmart and Sam’s Clubs across the state were mistakenly double taxing items.
“Earlier today, some Walmart customers and Sam’s Club members across Alabama were incorrectly overcharged sales tax while shopping with us. Effective Sept. 1, the sales tax rate on food decreased by one percentage point statewide. Our systems mistakenly charged both the old rate and the new rate at the time of sale,” according to Walmart. “The situation is being corrected, and we’re asking potentially impacted customers to take their receipts to their nearby stores or clubs for a refund of the higher sales tax.”
Before Friday, Alabama was one of three states that charged full tax on groceries. There is no tax on groceries in Florida.
Pictured: A Walmart receipt from Friday, September 1 showing a customer in Alabama double taxed on a food purchase. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Accused Of Burglarizing Chemstrand Road Store Twice In The Same Day
September 1, 2023
An Escambia County man is charged with burglarizing a Chemstrand Road store twice in the same day.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 25-year old Christian Alexis Melendez was wearing “distinctive clothing” and was caught on video prying open the front door and making entry into the store in the 10000 block of Chemstrand Road during the early morning hours. Deputies said he caused about $1,000 in damage and stole about $400 worth of tobacco products.
He returned a second time while the store was closed and forced his way through the front doors again, stealing $600 in tobacco products and $200 from the register after causing another $2,000 in damage, deputies said.
“Melendez was arrested at his home, where a search revealed the suspect’s unique clothing and the stolen tobacco products from the store,” ECSO said. “Deputies also located marijuana, Xanax pills, handguns, an AR15 short barrel rifle, and cash.”
Melendez was charged with both burglaries of the business, criminal mischief, grand theft, petit theft, possession of marijuana over 20 grams, possession of controlled substance without prescription and a weapons offense. He remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $72,000.
Rain Likely Into The Weekend
September 1, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Low around 72. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 83. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7pm. Low around 71. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Labor Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93.
Wednesday Night: Clear, with a low around 69.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 95.
Thursday Night: Clear, with a low around 71.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Learn More About Escambia County 4-H At Open House This Evening
September 1, 2023
Want to learn more about 4-H in Escambia County?
An Escambia County 4-H Open House will be held Friday from 5:30 until 7:30 at the Langley Bell 4-H Center on Stefani Road in Cantonment.
Interested individuals can learn about Escambia County 4-H and the program opportunities offered for students ages 5-18. Club leaders will be available along with hands-on program information.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Here Is Tonight’s High School Football Schedule
September 1, 2023
Here is the Friday night football schedule for the North Escambia area:
FLORIDA
- Pensacola High at Tate
- Northview at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Jay at Freeport
- Navarre at Pine Forest
- Washington at West Florida
- Pensacola Catholic at Escambia
- Lincoln at Pace
- Milton at Niceville
- Gulf Breeze at Crestview
- Lighthouse Private Christian Academy at Florida A&M
ALABAMA
- Northview at Escambia County (Atmore)
- Walton (DeFuniak Springs) at Flomaton
- W.S. Neal at McIntosh
- UMS-Wright at T.R. Miller
- Clarke Prep 49, Escambia Academy 35 (Thursday)
Pictured: Week one saw Northview at Flomaton on August 25. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
EREC Crews To Help Restore Power After Hurricane Idalia In The Big Bend Area
September 1, 2023
Escambia River Electric Cooperative crews deployed Thursday to assist with power restoration following Hurricane Idalia.
They will assist Tri-County Electric Cooperative restore power in Jefferson, Madison and Taylor Counties, including Perry, Steinhatchee, Monticello, Madison and Lee, Florida, in the Big Bend from the Georgia state line to the Gulf of Mexico. A full 100% of their system was reported to have been impacted in some way by Idalia, leaving 20,000 members without power.
EREC sent two bucket trucks, a digger truck and a supply truck with crew members Christian Kent, Jacob Polk, Philip Gandy, David Deese, Brandon Smith and Matthew Reynolds. David Hatfield, EREC’s warehouse supervisor, will assist Tri-County’s materials management to keep linemen and other crews supplied with the materials they need to restore power.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Photos: Northview, Flomaton Bands And Cheerleaders
September 1, 2023
The Northview Chiefs took on the Flomaton Hurricanes last Friday night.
For a bonus photo gallery with the bands and cheerleaders, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Fire Rescue Deploys Team For Hurricane Idalia Search And Rescue
September 1, 2023
Members of the Escambia County Fire Rescue Light Technical Rescue Team deployed Wednesday to Madison, Florida, to assist with rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. ECFR’s crew will spend up to 14 days performing search and rescue operations.
The team that deployed to Madison is composed of eight personnel specially trained in technical rescue. The team receives several hours of additional training in five disciplines: Vehicle and machinery rescue, structural collapse, trench rescue, rope rescue and confined space rescue. Some of the personnel also have specialized training in flood water rescue.
“ECFR is fortunate to have these specialized rescue teams and the equipment to serve our citizens,” said Deputy Chief Paul Williams. “These specially-trained personnel serve the citizens of the county daily, and we are proud to assist other agencies and citizens of Florida in the hurricane-ravaged areas.”
The current team deployed to Madison consists of ECFR members from the McDavid, Brent and Pleasant Grove fire stations. In addition, members of Escambia County Emergency Management have deployed to Tallahassee to provide logistical support.
Wahoos Quieted By Aguiar, Lookouts In 7-1 Loss
September 1, 2023
If not for three misplaced fastballs, Luis Palacios had a pitching line as good as any of his starts this season.
Unfortunately for him, that trio decided the game.
A rough first inning that included two home runs was later followed by a two-run bomb in the seventh in the Chattanooga Lookouts’ eventual 7-1 victory at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
In between those two innings, Palacios faced the minimum 15 batters. He allowed just one hit – a second inning single by Ivan Johnson, who was thrown out trying to stretch the play into a double. It was part of five consecutive innings when Palacios retired Chattanooga in order.
At that point, the Blue Wahoos trailed just 3-1. Will Banfield hit a fourth inning homer in his 2-for-4 night at the plate.
The Blue Wahoos managed just four hits off Lookouts starter Julian Aguiar, who worked into the eighth inning, striking out 12 of the 23 batters he faced. He did not allow a walk, improving to 4-3 with 3.47 earned run average.
The Lookouts tacked on a pair of unearned runs against Blue Wahoos reliever Chandler Jozwiak in the eighth, after a leadoff walk and a pair of infield errors.
With their win, the Lookouts (67-55 overall) took a 2-1 lead in the series that now shifts to the weekend.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos