Blue Wahoos Lose 16-6 to Barons On Mullets Thursday
May 14, 2021
The first Pensacola Mullets Night in franchise history attracted the week’s largest crowd, so far, but not the desired scoreboard totals.
Birmingham unleashed a 15-hit attack, highlighted by four 3-run homers in a 16-6 victory Thursday night, before 3,689 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With Pensacola players wearing colorful teal jerseys with fuchsia/teal hats and popular Mullets logo, the first-ever promotion created a pregame energy, following months-long popularity on social media.
The concept was decided earlier this year as a nod to the runner-up nickname when fans chose Blue Wahoos when the franchise launched in 2012.
A 3-year-old boy who won the best-looking mullet contest among public voting was joined by his parents and family members on the field to help throw out the “First Fish.” His father and mother did the honors to the crowd’s delight.
The game started well, too.
Pensacola answered the Barons’ first run to take a 2-1 lead in the first inning on Peyton Burdick’s RBI double and a throwing error allowing Burdick to come around and score on the play.
In fact, Pensacola had four runs on two hits in the first four innings.
The Barons, however, bashed their way to a 5-run second inning and added four more runs in the third.
Five Pensacola players had one hit apiece.
Pensacola starter Brandon Leibrandt had a tough outing. The hot-hitting Barons produced their first 10 runs off him in his three innings of work.
The Blue Wahoos will be back on Friday night with Jeff Lindgren (0-1) on the mound against Konnor Pilkington (1-0). The Mullets Night will return next Thursday against the newest division member, Rocket City Trash Pandas. Each Thursday home game throughout the season, Pensacola will wear the Mullets-theme uniforms.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Escaped Chickens Cause Traffic Problems On I-10. And Yes, Many Of Them Did Cross The Road.
May 13, 2021
Escaped chickens caused big traffic problems on I-10 near Pine Forest Road midday Thursday.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a commercial vehicle pulling a trailer came to an abrupt stop due to traffic, and multiple cage doors opened. FHP says about 100 chicken escaped onto the interstate.
The driver flew the coop, leaving the chickens behind. That tied up traffic as some of chickens crossed the road for unknown reasons.
FHP troopers and Escambia County Animal Control rounded up most of the chickens, and troopers are working to identify the driver.
Foul play is not suspected.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
New Photos Show Severity Of Deputy Involved Crash; He Was Treated And Released
May 13, 2021
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy involved in a wreck Wednesday night is recovering, and we are getting a closer look at the severity of the crash in new photos.
The deputy was treated and released from a local hospital, according to ECSO Commander Andrew Hobbs.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 73-year old male SUV driver pulled out from the median into the southbound lanes about 8:40 p.m. He failed to observe oncoming traffic, troopers said, and was hit by a sedan driven by a 30-year old man. As a result of the crash, the sedan crossed over the median into the northbound lanes into the side of a marked Escambia County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.
One of the passenger vehicles then hit a nearby Fact-O-Bake building.
The driver and passenger in the second vehicle were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Escambia County EMS for treatment of minor injuries.
FHP has not said if the 73-year old will face any charges.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Tops 100,000 Vaccinated People
May 13, 2021
Escambia County has now topped 100,000 people that have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Wednesday, there are 101,257 total people vaccinated in Escambia County — about one-third of eligible residents.
There are 21,031 people that have received only the first dose, and 80,226 that are fully vaccinated. Of those, 7,807 received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine, and 72,419 received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Man Gets Nine Years In Prison For High Speed Chase On I-10 That Injured Two Florida Troopers
May 13, 2021
A Tennessee man has been sentenced to state prison in connection with a high-speed chase last year that sent two Florida Highway Patrol troopers to the hospital after their patrol cars crashed into each other.
John Thomas Puckett of Dresden, Tennessee, was sentenced to nine years in prison followed by six years of probation for aggravated fleeing and eluding causing serious bodily injury, DUI causing property damage, driving without a valid license and battery on an EMT/paramedic.
The charges stemmed from a May 12, 2020, chase. Puckett led the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office on a high-speed chase in a vehicle stolen in Mobile.
Puckett crossed into Florida on I-10 at over 100 miles an hour. During the chase, he passed numerous cars in a reckless manner, passing at times on the shoulder of the interstate. At the time, Florida had a COVID-19 checkpoint at the weigh station entering the state.
Puckett drove over the traffic cones to pass the checkpoint at high speed and ultimately crashed near the Nine Mile Road exit. After Puckett was taken into custody, it became apparent that he was under the influence of controlled substances. While receiving medical attention at the scene, he became violent toward the EMT treating him and spit on her.
Two Florida Highway Patrol troopers received serious injuries during a collision which occurred during the chase. As a FHP sergeant attempted to join the pursuit, he collided with another trooper.
Ultimately, blood work revealed that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana.
Three years of the sentence are to be served as a mandatory minimum prison sentence.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Bird Watching Bingo Activity Kits Available At Century Branch Library
May 13, 2021
The Century Branch Library has free “Bird Watch Bingo” take home activity kits available now.
With the bird watching kit, look into the world around you for local birds and check them off your bingo card as you identify different species.
Blue Wahoos Beat The Barons 4-1
May 13, 2021
The wind at Blue Wahoos Stadium suddenly began blowing harder to right field.
Jerar Encarnacion took full advantage.
Encarnacion went opposite field with a sixth-inning pitch that just had enough pop to clear a leaping right fielder for a 3-run homer, which carried the Blue Wahoos to a 4-1 victory Wednesday against the Birmingham Barons.
That blast, along with former No. 1 pick J.J. Bleday’s first professional homer, provided the run support needed to accompany another impressive pitching performance from fellow Vanderbilt star Jake Eder.
“Fortunately it was blowing out,” said Bleday, the fourth overall pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft by the Miami Marlins. “When we were hitting balls off the machine, the ball was flying and we weren’t sure that was going to carry over in the game, so that definitely helped in our favor tonight.”
Bleday’s blast in the fourth inning was a no-doubter out of the stadium in right field.
“I was doing my best to tackle oneand I put a good swing on it and it felt good,” said Bleday, who played his final two prep seasons at Panama City Mosley. “It felt good to do it at home and get my first knock here so I pretty happy with that.”
It was the Blue Wahoos first home win as the Miami Marlins affiliate. The crowds the first two nights have caught the attention of the players.
“It was cool, definitely, to have fans rooting for you,” said Eder, who struck out 12 in five scoreless innings a week ago to get his first professional win against the Mississippi Braves. “The more fans the better. The more energy they can bring, the more that is going to help everyone’s game.
“It was a good turnout I thought and hopefully we can continue to pack it out.”
On the mound, Eder’s second professional start became as significant as last week’s debut. He twice pitched out situations with runners in scoring position to throw five shutout innings.
“My goal is to just keep stringing them together, hit a standard every time I’m out there,” said Eder, a fourth round pick in 2019. “Once this one happens, I’m on to the next.”
He finished with another impressive pitching line. In 72 pitches, he threw 47 strikes with seven strikeouts, two walks. He has not allowed a run in two pro starts.
The two relievers who followed, Jose Mesa Jr. and Anthony Maldonado were equally effective. Mesa gave up a solo home run that tied the game in the sixth, but that was the only hit he allowed in three innings.
In the bottom of the sixth, after a one-out double from Victor Victor Mesa and Bleday following with a walk, Encarnacion launched a towering shot that gained just enough lift from a 12-mph wind to right field that eluded a leaping attempt by Barons’ star right fielder MIcker Adolfo.
Maldonado finished the game in the ninth as the crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium stood and cheered.
Barons started Kade McClure gave up just three hits and Bleday’s homer in his fivie innings of work. His father, Brian, played one season at quarterback for the Buffalo Bills and finished 10th in the 1985 Heisman Trophy balloting out of Bowling Green.
The Blue Wahoos will continue their series against the Barons on Thursday in the debut of Pensacola Mullet Night and the team wearing speciality uniforms, while taking on the nickname of Mullets for the one night.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Write
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
34 Scholarships Worth Over $100K Awarded To Pensacola Sports Senior Scholar Athletes
May 13, 2021
Each year, Pensacola Sports brings together the top senior student athletes in each sport from Escambia and Santa Rosa County schools for a scholarship recognition program. The 2021 Senior Scholar Athlete Awards event had 227 senior nominees that were introduced during the event at at Olive Baptist Church.
“This might be our best event we do,” said Pensacola Sports President Ray Palmer. “There are some tremendously smart and talented young adults growing up in our school districts and we get to meet and recognize them at this event. It is a great night for everyone involved.”
Jane “Merrill” Dickerson from Washington High School volleyball and Jordan McCants from Pensacola Catholic High School baseball, won the overall female and male scholarships, respectively. Pensacola Sports awarded these two individuals each with a $4,000 scholarship.
Other awardees were:
Dr. Alec Kessler Memorial Scholarship – named for Dr. Alec Kessler, a standout basketball player at University of Georgia and Miami Heat and later an orthopedic surgeon at the Andrews Institute before he passed away suddenly at the age of 40. This scholarship is awarded to students of good character who excels in academics and sports and involved in the community.
Riley Poggi – Pace
Tailor Ernst – Navarre
Levi Cherek – Pensacola
Timothy Burman – Navarre
Prosser Crow – Tate
University of West Florida Scholarship – Awarded to a student-athlete who is attending UWF in the coming year.
Jillian Thornton – Jay
Super Star Multi-Sport Scholarship – Awarded to two students who excelled in the classroom and in more than one sport their senior year.
Landry Cato – Jay
Chance Outten – Escambia
Additionally, Pensacola State College awarded 24 individual sport winners with a one-year renewable scholarship.
The individual sport winners are:
Baseball — Hunter Pierson, Escambia
Girls Basketball — Kinsey King, Catholic
Boys Basketball — Trenton Moye, Central
Cheerleading — Ashlyn NeSmith, Tate
Boys Cross Country — Christopher Bissell, West Florida Tech
Girls Cross Country — Mira Helms , Gulf Breeze
Football — Brennan Smith, Escambia
Girls Golf — Meredith McGhee, Northview
Boys Golf — Maxwell Page, Catholic
Girls Lacrosse — Lauren Thompson , Gulf Breeze
Boys Lacrosse — Joseph Snider, Gulf Breeze
Girls Soccer — Kendall Blackmon, Tate
Boys Soccer — Jackson Hamrick, Catholic
Softball — Kariana Williams, Escambia
Girls Swimming — Paige Connors, West Florida Tech
Boys Swimming — Jack Rowell, Pace
Girls Tennis — Adele Dorion, Pensacola
Boys Tennis — Kyle Kizilbash, Pensacola
Girls Track — De’Aundra Johnson, Pine Forest
Boys Track — Abe Pasion, West Florida Tech
Volleyball — Willow Sinkus-Blackburn, Pace
Schools in both Escambia and Santa Rosa nominate their senior athletes for each sport. A selection committee made of educators, community leaders, and Pensacola Sports board members reviews the anonymous applications and select the best person’s credentials for each sport. Those are the individual sport winners. Then they select the overall male and female winners from the individual sport winners.
Nearly 1,000 Molino Gulf Power Customers Left Without Power After Truck Snags Lines
May 12, 2021
A truck with an oversized load brought down power lines Wednesday afternoon in Molino, initially leaving nearly 1,000 Gulf Power customers without power. Hundreds remained in the dark for several hours, and cable tv and internet service remained out into Thursday morning.
An oversized equipment load snagged a line and snapped poles. That left power lines, transformers, cable lines, and even street signs on the ground and in the roadway in the area of Molino Road and Settles Road. The truck driver stopped a short distance away; we are told he was not ticketed because the line he hit was hanging too low.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue responded until Gulf Power arrived on scene.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pensacola Fuel Terminal Operating Again, Gas Supply Expected To Continue To Improve
May 12, 2021
Fuel trucks are once again rolling out of the TransMontaigne terminal in Pensacola to area gas stations.
The terminal receives fuel from barges that travel the Gulf of Mexico, and then the fuel is transferred to trucks for delivery across the area. Fuel for Escambia County is not transported by by the Colonial Pipeline that suffered a cyber attack.
It was temporarily closed because it did not have summer blend gasoline on hand by May 1 as required by federal regulations. Late Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a temporary waiver through June 1, allowing the winter blend fuel stockpile to be delivered.
“The EPA has not shut down TransMontaigne’s fuel operations in Pensacola. Except for retailers and wholesale purchaser-consumers, all parties in the gasoline distribution chain throughout the United States must meet low volatility standards on May 1. The federal low volatility standards have been in place for decades and begin on May 1 each year. The TransMontaigne terminal in Pensacola, Florida contacted EPA the evening of April 30 to inform EPA that they would be shutting down their operation at midnight since they did not have gasoline meeting the federal low volatility standard. The EPA understands that the terminal is still exploring options to sell compliant gasoline. Retailers and wholesale purchaser-consumers must meet the low volatility standards on June 1,” the EPA said in a statement to our news partners at NewsRadio 92.3/AM 1620.
The summer blend fuel requirements have been in effect since 1989.
Early Wednesday morning, interim Escambia County Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore said many stations in the area are quickly being resupplied with fuel.
Late Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard as needed due to fuel supply issues. The situation was worsened by panic buying.
Pictured: Drivers line up for gas Monday at the Speed Mart on Highway 29 at Tate School Road (above), the Circle K at Highway and East Kingsfield Road (below), and Murphy Oil at the Ensley Walmart (bottom). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
