Furious Wahoos Comeback Falls Short in 7-6 Loss To Montgomery Biscuits
June 20, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Jake Buxton waited nearly two years for his pitching return with the Blue Wahoos.
Unfortunately for him, fate wasn’t kind.
Buxton, a righthander, had a scorching line drive ricochet off his side in the second inning, forcing him out of the game and igniting a big inning for the Montgomery Biscuits they carried into an eventual 7-6 victory Thursday against the Blue Wahoos.
But on this night when an impactful part of Pensacola’s pro baseball legacy was honored, the home team nearly pulled off the biggest comeback this season.
Taking on identity of the Pensacola Seagulls, the most renowned of the city’s former teams during the segregation era, a 7-0 deficit after two innings was whittled into a one-swing game after the seventh inning.
The game at Blue Wahoos Stadium, which honored Pensacola’s heritage on Juneteenth, started nearly an hour late, following a massive thunderstorm.
That was the first patch of rough luck to start Buxton’s night.
He yielded a pair of walks, then a two-run homer in the first inning. With two on, none out in second inning, Biscuits third baseman Willy Vasquez blasted a fastball that exited his bat at 112 mph, striking Buxton above his waist with no time to react.
He tried two warmup pitches, but it was quickly determined he could not continue. Buxton, 24, started just once before with the Blue Wahoos, back on Sept. 13, 2023 during the team’s final homestand. He was elevated Tuesday from the Beloit (Wisconsin) Sky Carp, where he pitched the entire 2024 season.
He was 3-2 with a 2.10 earned run average in eight appearances this season in Beloit.
When he exited Thursday, reliever Ricky DeVito was summoned from the dugout. He tried in about five minutes to rapidly get loose on the mound during an extended play stoppage, but he didn’t have his normal command.
His first pitch to shortstop Gregory Barrios was laced over first base inside the foul line for a run-scoring double. A sacrifice fly scored another run. DeVito then walked the bases loaded, gave up a two run single and uncorked a wild pitch for a 5-run inning and 7-0 Biscuits lead.
Nathan Martorella started the comeback with a solo homer in the fourth inning. The Blue Wahoos then took advantage of some sloppy defense by the Biscuits to score three runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh.
In the seventh, Shane Sasaki led off with a double, advanced on an infield single and scored on Kemp Alderman’s RBI ground out. A dropped pop up at third base enabled Martorella to reach base. Cody Morissette drove in the sixth run with an RBI.
But the Biscuits bullpen held on in the final two innings. Alderman hit a line out to right field to start the ninth. Martorella drew a walk, before a double play ended the game.
A good portion of Thursday’s crowd of 3,334 remained for post-game fireworks to honor the Juneteenth holiday.
The Blue Wahoos wore the replica white uniforms with blue piping, numbers and logo of Pensacola Seagulls, as part of The Nine Initiative in Minor League Baseball, which launched in 2022 by Major League Baseball to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous African-American baseball pioneers made on the sport.
Nine is a reference to the No. 9 worn by legend Jackie Robinson while he played in the minor leagues, before breaking the game’s color barrier in 1947 in a historic way with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson wore No. 42 through his decorated MLB career.
Though Robinson never played in Pensacola, he and his wife stayed overnight in Pensacola in 1946 on their way to spring training with the Dodgers organization.
The Seagulls were once a feeder team for the Negro Southern League, which had its final official season 74 years ago in 1951. In the Pensacola region, the Seagulls were the most prominent team of black players during the segregation era. They had a four-decade existence that ended as a local semi-pro team.
GAME NOTABLES
— Blue Wahoos outfielder Mark Coley II joined members of the Blue Wahoos front office staff, along with Kazoo, to participate in Pensacola’s Martin Luther King Parade downtown. The event on Juneteenth was originally scheduled on Martin Luther King Day in January, but that was the exact date of the historic 2025 snowfall in Pensacola.
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— This was the fourth consecutive year the Blue Wahoos wore the Seagulls’ uniforms for a game. Part of Seagulls history included outfielder Johnny Joe Lewis, who became Pensacola’s first African-American player to play in Major League Baseball when he made his debut on April 14, 1964 with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Part of the team’s history occurred during an era where Pensacola had other black baseball teams called the Arthur Giants, the Pensacola Clowns, the Olive Braves and Pepsi-Cola Stars.
— On Friday, 20-year-old lefthander Thomas White, the Miami Marlins’ No. 1 prospect, makes his Double-A level debut on the mound with the Blue Wahoos in a game being offered for free on the MiLB TV network.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday Thru Sunday.
GAMETIMES: The games on Friday and Saturday all start at 6:05 p.m. The game on Sunday starts at 4:05 p.m.
Morristown Temporarily Reopened, But It Will Close Again Monday
June 20, 2025
Morristown Road, which was closed Tuesday, has temporarily reopened to all local traffic after recent roadway improvements. However, the road will close again briefly on Monday, June 23 for repaving. The road will reopen to all traffic once the paving is complete.
Residents will have access to their property. Signage will be placed at each end of the roadway to inform drivers of the closure.
On June 23, drivers should seek an alternate route until the roadway reopens. Drivers can utilize Dykestown Road to Ebenezer Church Road as a detour to the west and Shell Road to Nelsontown and Nelson Roads as a detour to the east.
Map courtesy Santa Rosa County.
Eleanor G. Settle
June 20, 2025
Eleanor G. Settle, 91, of Molino, Florida, passed away June 19, 2025. She was born in Pensacola on December 28, 1933, to Ernie and Annie Settle. She had a career in accounting, working for the Courthouse in Brewton, Alabama, St. Regis, and the University of West Florida; retiring after 25 years.
She was a member of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church and had a passion for flowers and reading.
Eleanor is survived by her brothers, Ernest Settle, Robert Settle, and Jimmy Settle; sister, Sue A. Stallman; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and Cemetery, 3015 St. Elizabeth Drive, Molino.
Armed Felony Suspect Shot And Killed During Confrontation With Deputies At Escambia Arby’s
June 19, 2025
A fatal deputy-involved shooting occurred Thursday afternoon in Escambia County.
Shortly before 3 p.m., Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies received word that a 37-year-old male who was wanted for several felonies was observed at Arby’s on Highway 98
The ECSO said the felony warrants stemmed from an incident that took place on June 13 in which the 37-year-old male is alleged to have committed domestic battery strangulation, aggravated assault by holding a screwdriver to the victim’s throat, burglary, and grand theft.
“Deputies arrived and observed the 37-year-old male in the parking lot. Upon seeing the deputies, the suspect fled inside of the restaurant with deputies pursuing,” the ECSO said in a statement. “The suspect jumped the counter and struggled with a deputy before pushing the deputy to the ground. He then grabbed a large knife and confronted the three deputies who had also jumped the counter in pursuit. Deputies gave several commands to drop the knife. The suspect then began taking out several items from his pockets and tossing them about while keeping the knife in his hand. He ignored deputies’ commands to drop the knife and pleas from employees who were caught behind the counter. The suspect then turned and moved aggressively towards the deputies with the knife. The three deputies fired at the suspect, striking him several times. The suspect died at the scene.”
No deputies were injured during the incident. All three deputies that fired will be placed on paid administrative leave as is standard policy. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting an independent investigation.
The suspect’s name has not been released.
NWS: Cantonment Had A (Really) Small Tornado on Tuesday
June 19, 2025
A brief, small, short-lived tornado moved through a Cantonment neighborhood late Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Mobile.
Between 11:41 and 11:42 a.m., the EF0 tornado traveled 0.14 miles (about 246 yards, or about the length of 2.5 football fields) through the Twins Pine Circle neighborhood. The tornado was just five yards wide with peak winds of 65 mph.
There was no serious damage reported.
According to NWS Mobile, there were no advisories or warnings in the Cantonment area at the time.
Pictured top: The NWS map of the tornado’s path. Pictured below: Radar images from 11:42 a.m. The close red and green on the lower image shows the rotation. NorthEscambia.com graphics, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Sentenced To 25 Years For 2023 Bowling Alley Shooting
June 19, 2025
A Cantonment man has been sentenced to 25 years on prison for a 2023 shooting outside a bowling alley.
Nicholas Vallia, 21, was found guilty by a jury of attempted second degree murder with a firearm, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm from a vehicle.
Escambia County Judge Amy Brodersen sentenced Vallia on Wednesday to the minimum required 25 years on the attempted murder charge. He will get credit for 36 days served in the county jail. He was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined to the victim.
During an investigation into a shooting on Nine Mile Road that occurred on September 23, 2023, investigators determined that Vallia, who was 19 years old at the time, shot into a vehicle occupied by three high school teenagers, who had just left the Deluna Lanes Bowling Alley.
Prior to the shooting, the high school students and the Vallia and his friends exchanged insults in the bowling alley parking lot. As the high school students drove away from the bowling alley, Vallia got in his car and followed behind them, according to prosecutors. A short distance later, Vallia then fired his gun into the occupied vehicle. A bullet struck the driver in his left arm and then it traveled through his elbow and through his abdominal region. Vallia fled the scene. The victim was treated for his life-threatening injuries at Sacred Heart Hospital by a trauma team.
ECSO Communications Unit Is Re-accredited
June 19, 2025
This week, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was awarded its first re-accreditation from the Florida Telecommunications Accreditation Commission in Orlando. The FTA consists of subject matter experts from across the state of Florida who unanimously voted for the re-accreditation of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center.
The efforts to achieve re-accredited status have taken place over the last three years. The ECSO said the Communications Unit was able to maintain compliance with all applicable mandatory standards during this time, ensuring the center was operating with industry-established best practices and serving the citizens of Escambia County with courtesy, integrity, and professionalism.
Escambia School Board Votes To Remove 18 Books. Here’s The List.
June 19, 2025
The Escambia County Board has voted to remove 15 books as recommended by the superintendent.
At this week’s school board meeting, Superintendent Keith Leonard recommended the removal of the books from all media centers and classroom libraries. The board also approved removing three books that have been identified as pornographic by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
He cited the following reasons: “These are all classified as adult novels. They contain graphic descriptions and depictions of sexual conduct which are not appropriate for minors in Escambia County Public Schools. Additionally, no school district employee holding a media specialist certification has selected these titles for inclusion in their library collections; accordingly, they cannot be made available to students through a school district media center.”
Most of the books have already been removed by at least one other county in Florida, while one — “Lexicon” by Max Barry — has never been checked out by a student in Escambia County since it was first acquired in 2014.
The 15 books being removed on the recommendation of the superintendent are:
Lexicon” by Max Berry
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur
“The God of Small Things” by Arundhati Roy
“Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood
“Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood” by Sarah Maas
“Triangles” by Ellen Hopkins
“The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur
“Home After Dark: A Novel” by David Small
“Home Body” by Rupi Kaur
“My Dark Vanessa” by Kate Russell
“White Knight” by Sean Murphy
“Zahra’s Paradise” by Amir & Khalil
“Collateral” by Ellen Hopkins
“Maestros” by Steve Skroce
“Woodcuts of Women” by Dagoberto Gilb
The three books removed to follow the attorney general’s recommendation are:
What Girls are Made of” by Elana Arnold
“Beautiful” by Amy Reed
“Breathless” by Jennifer Niven
Century Ups Community Center Rental Rates, Sets New Policies
June 19, 2025
The Century Town Council has approved a new community center rental policy, upping the rental rate and eliminating discounts for churches or nonprofits.
The town rents the Century Community Center (Ag Building) on West Highway 4 and the Century Business Center (Habitat Building) on Pond Street. Previously the daily rental fee was $380 with security provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office for all events. However, a provision allowed a pastor or officer to sign off, dropping the rental to $200 for churches or non-profits. Both rental rates include a $100 refundable cleaning deposit.
The new rental policy approved this week sets the rental rate at $500 for everyone, including a $150 refundable cleaning deposit. If the facility is properly cleaned, the cleaning deposit will be returned in 7-10 days. A fee waiver can be approved by the council for any governmental agency using the facilities.
Security, provided by either the sheriff’s office or a Florida licensed security company, will be required at the renter’s expense for all events with more than 75 attendees. All renters will be required to sign a hold harmless agreement.
The policy also includes standard terms such as no tobacco, drugs or alcohol, a no-admission fee restriction.
The council also discussed potentially amending the policy at July meeting, including potentially setting a policy on inflatables.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Former Century Resident Extradited To Escambia County To Face Murder Charges
June 19, 2025
A former Century resident with a long criminal history arrested last week in Tallahassee for a Pensacola murder has been extradited to Escambia County.
Antonio Demetrius Ewing, 34, was booked into the Escambia County Jail Wednesday afternoon on felony charges of second degree murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held without bond.
Pensacola Police have released few details about the murder about 6:15 p.m. on May 30 at the apartment complex on Fairfield Drive. A man was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and transported to the hospital where he later died.
After his arrest June 11 in Tallahassee by U.S. Marshals, was held in the Leon County Jail until being transferred Wednesday.
In 2010, Ewing was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges related to a 2009 crime spree in which he robbed the Molino Tom Thumb, stole tires in Century to fix a flat on the getaway car and then escaped from deputies after he was arrested.
He was later implicated in an attempt to pass counterfeit money at Odom’s Bar on North Century Boulevard and other local businesses in the area. He was sentenced to 11 months in the county jail.
Ewing also served time in state prison for grand theft, robbery by sudden snatching, burglary, weapon possession by a convicted felon and carrying a concealed weapon. On January 27, 2025, he was released from prison after serving three years for cocaine possession and obstruction.