Record Setting Wahoos Series Win Streak Ends With 3-0 Loss To Mobile
May 19, 2019
The season staple of early-inning leads and clutch hitting for decisive runs has suddenly ended right now with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
It led to another trend-breaking experience Saturday night, after the Mobile BayBears again silenced the Blue Wahoos bats in a 3-0 victory, amid a sellout crowd of 5,038, for their third straight win in this weekend series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“A tough night offensively,” said Blue Wahoos manager Ramon Borrego. “It’s been tough last three days. That’s the problem right now.”
And for the first time all season, the Blue Wahoos (26-17) have lost a series, following eight consecutive series wins. Pensacola was the first team in Southern League history to win the first eight series of the season since the league switched to a five-game series format. They will try and salvage wins in the final two games, beginning Sunday with ace starter Brusdar Graterol on the mound.
It hasn’t been pitching that currently ails the Blue Wahoos. Three pitchers combined Saturday to record 15 strikeouts against Mobile.
But the Blue Wahoos batters managed only two hits Saturday and got only one base runner to second base. This followed a four-hit game Friday in an 8-2 loss.
“We could not put anything together,” Borrego said. “We are trying to find a way right now. Guys need to adjust a little bit.”
The game featured one of the more spectacular settings for a Saturday sellout. Crystal blue sky and a brilliant sunset gave way to a full moon rising above Pensacola Bay.
The crowd pushed the Blue Wahoos season attendance to just under 80,000 for 18 home home games and their season average is the third-best behind much larger cities Birmingham and Jacksonville in the Southern League.
Saturday’s crowd, which included PGA Tour star and team co-owner Bubba Watson and his family, was treated to the antics of the Fur Circus from Atlanta, an emotional moment with a Home Run For Life Event, and then the always-popular post-game fireworks.
The fan experience the Blue Wahoos always seek to enhance was on full display.
Borrego is hoping his team can quickly return to the steady performance that pushed the Blue Wahoos to a fast start.
“We have to do damage early. We haven’t been able to do it,” Borrego said. “We’ve hit a lot of ground balls these past two games. We’ve got to get balls to the gaps.”
Travis Blankenhorn had one of the Blue Wahoos two hits and also reached base on a walk. Mitchell Kranson had the other.
The lack of offense spoiled strong pitching. Adam Bray, who was acquired in a trade to the Minnesota Twins organization last year, was tried as a spot starter for two innings. He gave up a run on back-to-back doubles but avoided more damage by striking out the next two batters.
Jorge Alcala followed with five solid innings, highlighted by nine strikeouts. Jeff Ames finished with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. A walk, a passed ball and a wild pitch led to a pair of BayBear runs in the sixth.
“We’ve had great pitching,” Borrego said. “We just need to get our offense back.”
No Injuries In Highway 297A Wreck
May 19, 2019
There were no injuries in a two vehicle crash Saturday night.
The wreck occurred a little before 11 p.m. on Highway 297A just north of Pine Cone Drive. Both drivers refused medical transport to the hospital.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
One Killed, Eight Injured When Gunfire Erupts At Atmore Graduation Party
May 18, 2019
One person was killed and eight others were injured when gunfire erupted at a graduation party attended by hundreds of people in Atmore early Saturday morning.
Atmore Police officers could hear the gunfire around the property when they arrived at a community center in the former Escambia County Middle School on Martin Luther King Drive about 2 a.m.
A male gunshot victim was found deceased in the cafeteria of the building, according to Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks.
“Preliminary reports indicate a graduation party was being held in the cafeteria. Witnesses stated a fight broke out between two females. While trying to separate the females, numerous gunshots was fired inside the building hitting several individuals. The unknown suspects fled to the parking lot where several more gunshots were fired striking more victims,” Brooks said.
The eight injured individuals were transported to Atmore Community Hospital for treatment. One of the victims was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Their conditions were not available.
Names and ages of the victims have not been released as Atmore Police continue their investigation.
Any with information is asked to contact the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Bicyclist Struck And Killed By Alleged DUI Driver
May 18, 2019
A man is behind bars for DUI after bicyclist was struck and killed early Saturday morning in Escambia County.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Lathaniel Wayne McGhee, 54, failed to see the bicycle in the center of Ashland Avenue south of Nine Mile Road about 12:38 a.m.
The name of the victim has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
McGhee was booked into the Escambia County Jail on a charge of driving under the influence.
Vehicle Goes Up In Flames After Crashing Into Utility Pole In Cantonment
May 18, 2019
A vehicle burned after it crashed into a utility pole early Saturday morning in Cantonment.
The crash happened about 3 a.m. on Highway 297A near Pinebrook Circle. The vehicle was involved in a fire when first responders arrived on scene. No one was found in the vehicle; at last report the driver had not been located.
The wreck remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
About 100 Gulf Power customers lost electricity at the time of the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Work Begins Monday On $2.4 Million North Highway 99 Resurfacing
May 18, 2019
Work beings Monday to resurface North Highway 99 from Highway 97 in Walnut Hill to the Alabama state line.
Low bidder on the project was Panhandle Grading & Paving at $2.4 million. Other bidders were Roads, Inc. of NWF at $2.6 million and Midsouth Paving at $2.9 million.
The project was planned for 2024-25, but the Escambia County Commission fast tracked the advancement of $1,726,325 available in Local Option Sales Tax to this fiscal year and solicited bids.
The 8.01 mile roadway runs from Highway 97, past Highway 4 in Bratt and continues to the state line. It is a major north-south transportation corridor for the area. In addition to the school buses that serve Bratt Elementary on North Highway 99, buses travel the road twice-daily between Northview High and Ernest Ward Middle schools.
The asphalt is in poor condition due to a high traffic volume, and heavy truck traffic, according to county officials.
The improvements will include repair of road base failures, leveling of existing asphalt, installation of a geogrid over widened joints, paving the entire roadway, and re-striping 12-foot travel lanes.
The project is expected to be completed with 180 days, weather permitting.
Pictured top: North Highway 99 in Bratt near Highway 168. Pictured below: A closer look at asphalt conditions. Pictured below: North Highway 99 at Highway 4 and (bottom) Highway 164. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Governor Signs Florida’s Tougher Texting And Driving Law
May 18, 2019
Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a tougher texting and driving ban.
The bill changes current enforcement of the ban from a secondary offense to a primary offense – enabling law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle solely for texting while driving. Drivers will also be prohibited from using their handheld device while driving in active construction and school zones.
The law goes into effect July 1, but only warnings will be issued until January 1. The first violation of the ban is a non-moving violation, carrying a $30 base fine plus court costs and fees. A second or subsequent violation committed within five years is a moving violation, carrying a $60 base fine plus court costs and fees.
Florida becomes the 45th state to enact a primary enforcement text messaging ban for all drivers.
“Throughout our state, we’ve seen far too many accidents where passengers are killed or severely injured as a result of distracted drivers,” said DeSantis. “This bill gives law enforcement the ability to better enforce distractions behind the wheel. We cannot prevent all accidents on our roadways, but it is our hope that by taking action to address distractions today, we might be able to prevent a tragedy tomorrow.”
Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a tougher texting and driving law Friday at Sarasota High School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Takes On Escambia County In Spring Football (With Gallery)
May 18, 2019
The Northview Chiefs traveled north to take on the Escambia County Blue Devils in Atmore Friday night.
In the first three quarters, the Escambia County varsity team topped Northview 21-12 in the spring game. In the final quarter, the Northview JV beat the ECHS junior varsity 14-0.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Looking ahead to the fall, the Chiefs will travel to Baker for a kickoff classic on August 16 before opening their regular season at home against Lighthouse Christian.
Escambia County will host Wilcox Central on August 30.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Dedria’s Gift Presents Two Scholarships
May 18, 2019
Two Flomaton High School seniors received scholarships Friday from Dedria’s Gift. The $100 scholarships were presented to Jaiden Salter and Adarius Odom. Dedria’s Gift honors the memory of Dedria Robinson who was killed in a 2005 automobile accident at age 11. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Weekend Gardening: Tips For The Month Of May
May 18, 2019
The Escambia County Master Gardeners offer the following May lawn and garden tips:
- Continue planting summer annuals. Try one or two that you’ve never grown and/or one that is not available in stores as transplants.
- Plant heat-resistant summer flowering annuals such as begonias, impatiens, coleus, salvia, marigolds, torenia, verbena, ornamental peppers and gaillardia.
- Bulbs: Caladium, gladiolus.
- Vegetables: Continue planting warm weather seeds and transplants (Shade those transplants!). Use transplants for cherry tomatoes, eggplant and sweet potatoes. Plant seeds of lima beans, okra, southern peas: purple hull, crowder, etc.
- Prune and shape spring flowering shrubs and trees now. Later pruning may destroy next year’s blooms.
- Good cultural practices help maintain a healthy lawn and discourage insects and disease. Mow with a sharp blade. Centipedegrass should be cut to a height of 1½ to 2 inches. St. Augustinegrass normal growth habit cultivars should be cut to a height of 3 to 4 inches.
- Climbing roses are pruned after they finish blooming. Blooms form on one-year-old canes, so any older ones may be removed to make them more tidy. Cut each flowering stem back to the first five leaflet stem to encourage them to bloom again.Spray with horticultural oil or malathion for mites, scale and white flies, if insects are present, before it gets too hot (85 degrees).
- Yellow leaves on azaleas may mean they need iron. Apply iron sulphate or chelated iron.
- Feed citrus plants using special citrus fertilizer. Broadcast under the tree canopy and water in.
- Begin planting palms while the weather is warm and rainy.
- Make cuttings of azaleas, hollies, camellias, and other choice shrubs as new growth becomes half hardened.
- Take soft wood cuttings to root: alyssum, begonia, chrysanthemum, shrimp plant, dianthus, geranium, hibiscus, hydrangea, etc.
- Dig bulbs after foliage turns brown if they need to be divided or the space is needed for other plants. If the space isn’t needed, braid the foliage.
- Cut back the vines of Irish potatoes when they begin to die but leave the tubers in the ground for about two weeks longer to toughen the skin. Handle the potatoes carefully during digging, as skinned or bruised potatoes decay quickly when stored.
- Divide crowded and vigorously growing perennials.
- Promote continued flowering of bedding plants by removing faded blooms.
- Encourage coleus to branch and produce more colorful leaves by pinching off the flower stalks as they form.
- Prune poinsettias when new growth is 10-12 inches high (back to the last four leaves). Prune new growth at the base throughout the summer.
- Stop pruning after Labor Day.
- Keep roses watered, cut out weak spots, feed every six to eight weeks or at every new flush of growth, dust.
- For insect or disease problems in your garden, use the least toxic control possible.