Wahoos Split Doubleheader With Birmingham Barons
April 24, 2018
When Sunday’s suspended game resumed on Monday night, the Wahoos turned in a strong offensive performance to win 9-5. In the second game, the Barons flipped the script and handed the Wahoos a 6-0 loss.
The opening game began in the bottom of the third inning with the Wahoos already ahead 4-0. Eloy Jimenez led off the fourth and launched his first Double-A homerun—and his first hit—to left to make it 4-1. It was the first of two home runs on the day for the Chicago White Sox top prospect.
Josh VanMeter, who already had two hits when play was suspended on Sunday, roped a bases-clearing double off Jorge Rondón, which extended Pensacola’s lead to 7-2. After Danny Mendick’s two-run home run in the bottom of the top of the fifth, Shed Long responded in the bottom of the inning with a two-out double to score Taylor Sparks to make it 8-4. Later in the game, Sparks extended his hitting streak to eight games with a leadoff triple, and eventually scored on Nick Longhi’s second hit of the game.
Seth Varner (W, 1-0) took the mound for the Wahoos in the opener and pitched four innings in relief to earn his first career Double-A win. Spencer Adams (L, 1-1), who started the game for the Barons on Sunday, was handed the loss.
In the second game, home runs generated all of the Barons offense. Trey Michalczewski hit a two-run homer in the second inning off Wahoos starter Vladimir Gutierrez (L, 0-3) to give Birmingham a quick 2-0 lead. Then Seby Zavala doubled the visitor’s advantage with a two-run shot in the fourth with his fourth homer of the season. Mendick finished the scoring with a two-run home run in the seventh, his third of the series, to make it 6-0.
Jordan Stephens (W, 1-3) showed why he is considered to be a top pitching prospect for the White Sox. The right-hander dealt six scoreless innings against the Wahoos and stuck out two. Even when it seemed like the Wahoos had rallies developing, Stephens would induce a double-play to end the threat. Pensacola grounded into three double plays, and only had two runners in scoring position on the night. Long finished the night hitless, and his on-base streak came to an end at 14 games.
Pensacola Blvd. Convenience Store Robbed At Gunpoint
April 23, 2018
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect that robbed a convenience store a gunpoint Monday afternoon.
At 2:10 p.m., the Raceway Station at 7271 Pensacola Boulevard was robbed by a man with a handgun.
Further details have not been released.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
Pictured: An armed robbery afternoon at a Pensacola Boulevard gas station.
Molino Family Forced From Their Home By Tornado Damage
April 23, 2018
A Molino family was forced from their home by damage from an apparent tornado Sunday afternoon.
“We did have to leave home,” Gale Nahkala said. “The trailer was shifted from the foundation.” Windows in the double wide mobile home were also broken as the funnel cloud moved over the Crabtree Church Road area near Sunshine Hill Road.
The family of three — two adults and an 18-year old — will be forced to find some other place to stay until repairs are made.
Escambia County officials said five structures suffered slight to moderate damage, and there were several downed trees and power lines.
For an earlier story, click here.
For a photo gallery, click here.
For two videos of the tornado, click here.
Photos by Gale Nahkala and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Replacing Sidewalk In Such Bad Condition ‘Children Were Wrecking Their Bikes’
April 23, 2018
The Town of Century is replacing a sidewalk on Hecker Road that was so bad “children were wrecking their bikes”, according to town officials.
The sidewalk is being replaced between Mayo and Archie streets.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Weekly Public Meeting Schedule
April 23, 2018
Here is a schedule of Escambia County public meetings for the week of April 23-April 27:
Monday, April 23
Library Board of Governance – 4 p.m., 12248 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
Pensacola Beach Congestion Management Plan Public Workshop – 5:30 p.m., 920 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach
Tuesday, April 24
Environmental Enforcement Special Magistrate – 1:30 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Escambia County Local Mitigation Strategy Group Board & Planning Committee – 2 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place
Escambia County Health Facilities Authority – 4 p.m., 1019 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola
District 3 Town Hall with Elected Officials – 6 p.m., Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. De Soto St.
Wednesday, April 25
District 1 Coffee with the Commissioner – 6:30 a.m., 2500 Wilde Lake Blvd., Pensacola
Development Review Committee – 1 p.m., Escambia County Central Office Complex, 3363 West Park Place \
Santa Rosa Island Authority Board Meeting – 5 p.m., 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach
Jay Top Seed, Northview Second In District Softball Playoff
April 23, 2018
The Jay Royals are the number one seed in this week’s 3-1A district softball playoffs, while the Northview Chiefs are second seed.
Games are scheduled as follows in Chipley:
1. Monday- Game 1- #5 Baker vs #4 Chipley- 6 p.m.
2. Tuesday- Game 2- #3 Freeport vs #2 Northview- 5 p.m.
3. Tuesday- Game 3- Winner of game 1 vs #1 Jay – 7 p.m.
4. Thursday- Game 4- Winner of game 2 vs the winner of game 3- 7 p.m.
In the event game 4, the championship game, is Northview vs. Jay, the game will be played at Jay, not Chipley.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Molino 8U Raptors And Mets Take Tops Spots In Mid Season Tourney
April 23, 2018
A couple of Molino teams finished on top of the the Mid Season Tournament this weekend in Brent. The Molino U8U Raptors coach pitch team, lead by head coach Josh Cook, came in first place, while the Molino Mets with coaches Brandon Brown and Randy Ard came in second place. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Unemployment Rate Slips
April 23, 2018
The Escambia county area added 2,800 new private-sector jobs in the past year, according to Gov.Rick Scott.. The area’s unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from a year ago.
“The Pensacola area’s creation of nearly 3,000 new jobs over the last year demonstrates that Florida is the best state in the nation to live the American Dream. Businesses across Florida are continuing to grow and succeed, bringing new jobs and opportunities for Florida families,” Scott said.
The industry with the highest growth over the year in the Escambia County area was leisure and hospitality with 1,300 new jobs. The area had 4,966 job openings, including 1,319 openings for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations.
As of March, Florida’s unemployment rate is at 3.9 percent, a drop of 6.9 percentage points since December 2010; this drop is faster than the national decline of 5.2 percentage points. In the last year, 132,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 1.3 percent.
Wahoos, Barons Suspended In Third
April 23, 2018
Sunday’s game between the Blue Wahoos and the Barons has been suspended due to rain. Pensacola led the game 4-1 while batting in the bottom of the third when play was halted. The game will be restarted tomorrow evening at 5:00 p.m. and followed by a seven-inning game.
Pensacola scored a pair of runs in the first two innings of the game off Barons starter Spencer Adams. Shed Long extended his hitting streak to 10 games when singled to open the ballgame. Two batters later, Gavin LaValley notched his team-leading 14th RBI with a double to make it 1-0 Wahoos. He would later score on an RBI single from Gabriel Guerrero to double the lead. Pensacola added to two more runs in the second inning behind RBIs from Long and Nick Longhi. Josh VanMeter picked up his second hit of the game to lead off the third inning, but the game was stopped two batters later.
Keury Mella’s third start lasted only three innings due to the weather. He allowed one earned run with three strikeouts.
Following the completion of game one, Vladimir Gutierrez (0-2, 5.74) will take the mound for the Wahoos in game two. The Barons are still expected to go with RHP Jordan Stephens (0-3, 6.19).
Molino Tornado Caught On Videos
April 22, 2018
An apparent tornado in Molino Sunday afternoon was captured on video.
For more details and damage photo gallery, click here.
credit: Wayne Gulsby for NorthEscambia.com