Blue Wahoos Blanked In Soggy 8-0 Defeat
May 6, 2023
A first-time game with Pensacola’s participation in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversion initiative became memorable, but didn’t include a franchise win feat.
Two weather delays, one of those lasting nearly two hours, put a damper on crowd involvement, then had the Mississippi Braves expand a pair of sixth-inning runs into a blowout, 8-0 victory Friday night that ended Pensacola’s record-tying eight-game win streak.
The game did not end until 10:56 p.m., 4 hours, 18 minutes after it began.
Transforming into the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok for the first of three times this season – part of MILB’s Copa series to honor centuries of Hispanic/Latino heritage nationwide – the home team was shut out for the first time this season.
Pensacola’s team wore reddish-orange uniforms with gray-teal caps as the Pok-ta-Pok — a nod to a game with a heavy ball played in 1650 BC.
When Friday’s game began at 6:38 p.m., before a crowd of 4,333, the skies had begun to turn ominous. A light rain had already started. Two innings were played before conditions worsened.
The game resumed in the top of the third inning at 9:01 p.m. following a 1-hour, 52 minute rain delay. The Blue Wahoos front office staff, including team president Jonathan Griffith and general manager Steve Brice, along with part-time staff, worked en masse to remove the tarp in heavy wind, then helped get the infield playable again.
The game was first halted for four minutes in the second inning when lightning flashed in the sky beyond the left field area. Six minutes of play followed before the much-longer delay ensued.
The forced both teams to rely on relievers to finish the game. Pensacola’s Josan Méndez worked three scoreless innings before trouble ensued in the sixth inning.
The M-Braves Cal Conley led off with a double. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. He scored on Cade Bunnell’s two-out double. After a walk to Drew Lugbauer, Méndez was lifted for Zack Leban, who gave up an RBI single.
The ninth inning became disastrous for Pensacola. Reliever Jefry Yan struggled with his command the entire way. He gave up three consecutive singles to load the bases, then walked in four runs on five consecutive walks.
M-Braves reliever Domingo Robles shined with seven scoreless innings. He got Pensacola to hit into inning-ending double plays in the third and sixth inning and allowed just three hits, a walk, six strikeouts.
It was the third time in franchise history the Blue Wahoos produced eight consecutive wins before a loss.
The series continues Saturday with the Blue Wahoos’ Dax Fulton (0-4, 6.45) on the mound against the M-Braves’ Alan Rangel (0-2, 5.40).
by Bill Vilona/Blue Wahoos
Escambia Officials Say Social Media Threat Against School Is Not Credible
May 5, 2023
The Escambia County school district says a threat circulating on social media is not credible.
The message made a threat to “shoot up the school” Friday morning at 7:40 as the bell rings or during the school day and “everyone must DIE”. The message also threatened that it would “make history as the top school slaughter”. And it also suggested the presence of a bomb at the school. However, the message does not indicate any school or location; it only contains generalities.
A photograph of the message on a phone showed a send time of May 4 at 8:09 a.m.. The photo was further altered on social media questioning if the message might be related to Northview High School or other local schools.
The school system and law enforcement determined that the threat was not credible, and the message was circulating statewide.
“District administration and law enforcement have worked together to make sure this was not a credible threat to our schools, students, and staff,” Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith said in a call-out to parents. “In communication, with the Florida State Department of Education, we were also made aware that this same social media threat was made in several districts across the State of Florida.”
“We went to assure the public that the safety of our students and staff is always our first priority.”
Smith encouraged parents to monitor their student’s social media accounts, and he encouraged students to report any suspicious or dangerous online activity.
Could 24/7 Paid Fire Crews Be Coming To Molino And Beulah?
May 5, 2023
Career fighters could be coming 24/7 to the Molino and Beulah fire stations as a complement to current volunteer crews, but if funding is approved it could take well over a year to implement the plan, according to Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore.
Gilmore said he’s making a funding request for the four-firefighter crews for the upcoming budget year, but that’s all preliminary at this point. If the request makes it all the way through budget meetings and were to be approved by the Escambia County Commission in September, certified fighters would have to be hired or cadets trained — a process that could take 18 months or more.
Both Molino and Beulah would become what is known as combination departments –volunteers would still respond to calls alongside the paid crews. Fire stations currently also respond to neighboring areas to assist.
A new fire station is already a done deal for Beulah. A groundbreaking was held a year ago for the nearly $8.5 million “Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station” on the site of the old Beulah Fire Station. It will be named in honor of Chief Dwain S. Bradshaw who died in the line of duty in November 2019, and Chief Steve McNair who dedicated over 50 years to fire service in Beulah and helped rebuild the current station after fire destroyed the original fire station in 1977.
Pictured top: The Molino Fire Station. Pictured below: Groundbreaking in May 2022 for new Bradshaw-McNair Fire Station in Beulah. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Sheriff Names New Chief Deputy, Makes Several Other Promotions
May 5, 2023
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons made several promotions Thursday, including a new chief deputy.
Andy Hobbs is the new ECSO chief deputy of administration, joining Chief Deputy Tommi Lyter who is responsible for day-to-day operations.
Simmons also made the following additional promotions.
- Jeremy Small — commander
- Phillip Folmar — captain
- Mike Ward — captain
- Jayson Barnes — lieutenant
- Brandon Beech — lieutenant
- Drew Kilgen — lieutenant
- Ryan Robinson — lieutenant
- Joey Scapecchi — sergeant
- Lacey Oden — forensic manager
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo Is Tonight And Saturday
May 5, 2023
The 32nd Annual Tate FFA Alumni Foundation Rodeo will be Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Mobile Highway in Beulah.
Tickets can now be purchased on GoFan. (A fee applies for GoFan electronic tickets.)
Advance tickets are available at Farm and Nursery Mart, Hill Kelly Dodge, Barnes Feed Store Pensacola and Cantonment Mercantile. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children in advance or $15 and $5 at the gate. Children age 4 and under will be admitted free.
Burkett Throws Complete Game Shutout As Northview Shuts Out Jay For District Title (Gallery)
May 5, 2023
Cason Burkett threw a complete game shutout as the Northview Chiefs claimed the 1A District 1 title 2-0 over Jay Thursday night in Jay.
Burkett went seven innings, allowing no runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out nine.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Justin Smarr went four and two-thirds innings for Jay, giving up two runs and four hits while recording five strikeouts.
Rustin Pope went 2-2 to lead Northview at bat. Kaden Odom, Josh Landis, and Ethan Collier add one hit each.
Freddy Carnley was 2-2 for the Royals, and Ayden Sowers went 2-3.
Both teams head into the regionals next week.
Photos Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance, Ashley Rhodes and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chance Of Showers And Thunderstorms Through The Weekend
May 5, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
This Afternoon: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
Defending 1A State Champs Jay Defeats Northview For District Title (With Gallery)
May 5, 2023
The defending 1A state champion Jay Royals defeated Northview 13-3 Thursday night to claim the 1A District 1 Softball title.
The Royals took an early 6-0 lead in the first before added four more runs in the second. After a scoreless third, the Chiefs mounted a comeback attempt with three runs in top of the fourth, but Jay answered with three more runs of their own.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
Jenna Toups went for five in the circle for Jay, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out four and walking three.
Emma Gilmore led off in for Northview, allowing three runs. Aubrey Stuckey pitched the final four, surrendering seven hits and 10 runs while striking out two and walking six.
At the plate, Kaylee Gilbreath led the Royals going 3-3, and Brooklyn Sorrels went 2-3. Caitlyn Gavin, Carleigh Baker and Ella Nelson each had one hit.
Chloe Ragsdale went 2-2 for the Chiefs. Gilmore and Allison Flowers added one hit each
Both teams move into regionals next week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pace Slips Past Tate For 6A District Title
May 5, 2023
The Pace Patriots claimed the 6A District 1 championship 7-6 Thursday night in Pace.
The Aggies held a 6-3 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh. Pace tied it up at 6-6, and the winning run was forced in when a Pace batter was hit by a pitch.
Clifton Quiggins and Drew Reaves had two hits each for the Aggies. Brayden Touchstone, Ethan McAnally, James Davis and Madox Land each added one hit.
File photo.
Johnston Leads Blue Wahoos To Eighth Win In A Row
May 5, 2023
Troy Johnston had his bat cooled to begin this week against the Mississippi Braves.
He made up for it Thursday on a Pensacola Mullets night that tied a piece of franchise history.
Johnston blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third inning, then produced the go-ahead runs in the seventh as Pensacola beat the M-Braves 6-3 for their eighth consecutive win. It delighted a crowd of 4,578 at Blue Wahoos Stadium and matched the longest winning streak in club history, which was first set in 2017, then again in 2018.
A chance at the record awaits on a Friday night with Blue Wahoos taking on another name change as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in participation with the Copa de la Diversión initiative in Minor League Baseball.
Last week, Johnson tied the team record for single-game production with a two-homer, six-RBI game in a win against Montgomery.
After going 1-for-8 in the first two games of this series — hitless in seven prior plate trips — Johnston returned to his clutch-hitting ways. He came up with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He laced a 3-1 fastball pitch into right center for a two-run single to provide a 4-3 lead.
That pivotal moment was followed by Dane Myers’ sacrifice fly to score José Devers. Joe Rizzo then hit an RBI single to score Johnston.
The four-run rally was a big lift for Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde, named earlier Thursday as the Southern League Pitcher of the Month. He retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced before the only dent in his six outings this season.
He gave out a one-out single, then consecutive walks to load the bases. The M-Braves Landon Stevens followed with a two-run single for the lead and ended Monteverde’s night.
But the Blue Wahoos bullpen was again flawless with relievers Austin Roberts (W, 2-0), Brady Puckett and Sean Reynolds (S, 3) combining for 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts, no walks. Roberts got his second win.
Jose Devers manufactured the Blue Wahoos’ first run with his pop fly double, then went third on a wild pitch and utilized his speed to score on a second wild pitch.
The fourth game of the series is Friday at 6:35 p.m. with Pensacola’s M.D. Johnson (0-1, 4.00) going against AJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0).
written by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos