Bennett Named Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo Queen
May 9, 2017
The Tate High School FFA Alumni Association recently named Jordyn Bennett (pictured right) as 2017 J.M. Tate FFA Alumni Rodeo Queen. Ashley Henderson (left) was named first runner up. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Top Barons Ending Five Game Losing Streak
May 9, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have struggled since Tyler Mahle threw a perfect game against the Mobile BayBears April 22.
The Blue Wahoos have won just two games and lost 12 since then, including its last five games to the Chattanooga Lookouts.
The antidote? Playing a home series against the Birmingham Barons with the worst record (11-20), worst ERA (4.52) and tied for the worst in hitting (.210) in the Southern League.
But it didn’t get easy Monday until the fifth inning when Pensacola batted around to score five runs on its way to a 6-2 victory in front of 3,647 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Both catcher Joe Hudson and left fielder Tyler Goeddel came up with clutch two-out singles that drove in pairs of runs.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly joked that the team scored more than five runs for the first time since April 20 because they left their bat bags in Chattanooga.
“The last 15 games we’ve had to scramble to score two runs,” Kelly said. “I talked to them in Chattanooga. I said, ‘I’m not going to chew you out but we have to take advantage of the opportunities we get.’ To me it wasn’t a lack of effort. We were trying to get them to relax.”
Hudson ripped a single into the left center gap that drove in both first baseman Angelo Gumbs and DH Eric Jagielo for a, 3-1, Blue Wahoos lead. Goeddel, who spent 2016 with the Philadelphia Phillies, hit a chopper that made it into center field and scored Hudson and center fielder Brian O’Grady to put Pensacola up, 6-1.
Goeddel got on base four out of his five times at the plate, with a double and two RBIs. The 24-year-old has provided a spark to Pensacola’s lineup in his six games with the club going 8-21, or .381 with four RBIs.
Hudson hit a two-out double in the fourth inning to drive in second baseman Alex Blandino to tie the game, 1-1. Hudson was 2-4 with a double, run scored and three RBIs.
For Hudson, the difference at the plate was changing his walk up song to “Believer” by Imagine Dragons released earlier this year. He heard it on the radio on his way to Monday’s game.
“I was listening to that song on my way to the field today,” Hudson said. “I thought, ‘What do I have to lose?’ Baseball is a really odd game. Changing your walk-up song can get you thinking a different way.”
The star of the game, though, had time to sign a baseball and take a photo with wheel-chair bound Bernice Crain, who turned 85 today, after attending her first Blue Wahoos baseball game.
Although, Hudson is batting .212 this season, Hudson’s on-base percentage is .333.
“Those are two huge situations,” Kelly said. “That’s how you win ball games.”
Birmingham scored first to go up, 1-0, in the first inning when DH Cameron Seltzer hit a weak fly ball off the handle into short left field to drive in second baseman Jake Peter, who doubled into the right field corner.
“They got that cheap run in the first inning,” Kelly said. “But (Mahle) kept pitching.”
Meanwhile, Mahle enjoyed getting the most run support in his seven starts from the Blue Wahoos offense.
The 22-year-old right-hander worked six innings, allowed five hits, two runs, a walk and struck out seven. He now leads the Southern League in wins at 5-0 and strikeouts with 48 in 43.2 innings pitched.
Mahle’s only blemish was giving up his second home run of the season to Birmingham first baseman Keon Barnum. He pulled a solo homer – his seventh of the year that ties for first in the Southern League – over the right field fence just above the glove of a leaping Gabriel Guerrero.
Pensacola relievers Ariel Hernandez and Geoff Broussard who pitched a final three scoreless innings combining for four Ks and one hit.
Pensacola remains tied with the Mississippi Braves for first place in the South Division with a 16-15 record.
Kelly is thankful the team won a franchise record eight games to start the season.
“One of the advantages of winning eight straight is you can absorb a streak like the games we’ve been through,” he said.
Missing Pensacola Man Found Dead
May 8, 2017
UPDATED: The body of an elderly man who left his home to get a prescription filled on Friday has been found.
Joseph John Sodomka, 84, who lived near Scenic Heights Elementary School, was found around 2:45 p.m. Sunday in a clay pit area in the 1900 block of Blossom Trail, Pensacola.
Sodomka was last seen by his wife around 9:30 a.m. Friday when he left home to take a prescription to the Navy Hospital to be filled. He was told the prescription would be ready by 4 p.m., but he did not return to get it. Sodomka was on numerous medications and had memory problems.
It is believed he became disoriented and was unable to find his way home. Foul play is not suspected at this time.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into his death.
Big Detour For Highway 4 — Big Problems To Come For Century?
May 8, 2017
A big detour is going to mean big traffic for ordinarily quiet Century neighborhoods next weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday, State Road 4 will be closed from Highway 29 to Jefferson Avenue so that crews from CSX Railroad can construct the Highway 4 rail crossing. Highway 4 traffic, including commercial trucks, will be detoured around using Jefferson Avenue and Pond Street.
The crossing work is part of an overall project to resurface Highway 4 from Highway 29 to the Escambia River Bridge. Originally, plans called for traffic to use a temporary railroad crossing — called an onside diversion in technical terms — directly adjacent to the current crossing. But those plans did not work out.
“The onsite diversion depicted in the original plans did not allow CSX adequate room to perform the railroad upgrade, therefore an alternate detour for State Road 4 traffic was developed,” Tanya Branton, public information specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation, said.
Mayor Henry Hawkins acknowledged that citizens living on and near Jefferson Avenue and Pone Street will be inconvenienced by the detour through the neighborhood, but the decision was that of the state, not the town. He said FDOT may temporarily widen some curves on Pond and Jefferson to allow for larger trucks.
Any damage to town streets will be repaired by FDOT or their contractor, Hawkins said.
Law enforcement will be on had along the detour route to help traffic flowing.
Pictured above and below: In March, Highway 4 was resurfaced near the railroad track and a temporary crossing was constructed. Now, CSX says the temporary crossing is inadequate. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate High Jazz Band To Present ‘A Night Of Jazz’ On Tuesday
May 8, 2017
The Tate High School Jazz Band will present “A Night of Jazz” on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the school courtyard.
The band will present jazz music, plus grilled food and concessions will be available. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
In the event of rain, the event will be moved to the cafeteria.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
May 8, 2017
Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
Bayfront Parkway (State Road (S.R.) 196) at Bayfront Drive Road Closure, 5K- Bayfront Parkway will be closed at Bayfront Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 6 for the Brain Tumor run for Research 5K. Local law enforcement will be on site to assist with traffic control.
Creighton Road (S.R. 742) Construction Improvement Project, from east of Davis Highway to Scenic Highway -Work begins the week of May 8 on Creighton Road from east of Davis Highway (S.R. 291/Exit 13) to Scenic Highway (S.R. 10A). Lane closures will only be allowed between 8:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
Interstate 10 (I-10) Routine Maintenance, from U.S. 29 to Davis Highway- East and westbound alternating lane closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11 as crews replace overhead and sign lights.
I-10/U.S. 29 Interchange Improvements Phase I – Alternating lane closures continue on I-10 near U.S. 29 (Exits 10A and 10B) from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews perform pipe repair and survey work. In addition, intermittent lane closures on the on-and-off ramps at the I-10/U.S. 29 interchange.
I-10 Widening, from Davis Highway to the Escambia Bay Bridge – Alternating lane closures continue on I-10 westbound, between Davis Highway (S.R. 291/Exit 13) and Scenic Highway (U.S. 90/Exit 17), from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday as crews perform paving work.
U.S. 29 (S.R. 95) Widening, from I-10 to Nine Mile Road- Alternating lane closures continue from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on U.S. 29 between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road and on Nine Mile Road near the U.S. 29/ Nine Mile Road overpass as crews perform drainage and bridge operations.
Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10/U.S. 90A) Widening, from Pine Forest Road to U.S. 29- Alternating lane closures on 8 Mile Creek Road from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 10. Additionally, alternating lane closures on Pine Cone Drive from 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 10 as crews relocate utilities. Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Soil Density Testing at Gulf Beach Highway (S.R. 292) – Intermittent and alternating lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 11 and Friday, May 12 as crews perform soil testing operations.
S.R. 4 Resurfacing, from U.S. 29 to the Escambia River Bridge – S.R. 4 from U.S. 29 to Jefferson Avenue will be closed and traffic detoured Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 as crews from CSX Railroad reconstruct the rail crossing in Century. Westbound traffic on S.R. 4 will utilize Jefferson Avenue and Pond Street to access U.S. 29. North and southbound U.S. 29 traffic seeking access to S.R. 4 will utilize the same detour route from Pond Street to Jefferson Avenue.
Striping work will take place on S.R. 292 (Sorrento Road) near Ford Drive, Monday, May 8and Tuesday May 9. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
State Road 30 (U.S. 98) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The right lane of U.S. 98 east and westbound on the Pensacola Bay Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 11 as crews install traffic monitoring devices.
Santa Rosa County:
I-10 Widening, from Escambia Bay Bridge to Avalon Boulevard (S.R. 281/Exit 22) – Eastbound traffic has been shifted to the new inside travel lanes. Crews will now begin reconstructing the outside portion of the Avalon Boulevard overpass and the outside travel lanes.
S.R. 87 Widening, from Eglin Air Force Base Boundary to 2 Miles South of the Yellow River Bridge – Traffic on State Road (S.R.) 87, between County Road (C.R.) 184 (Hickory Hammock Road) and the Eglin AFB boundary, is restricted to loads under 11 feet wide. The restriction will extend through the completion of the S.R. 87 widening project.
State Road 30 (U.S. 98) Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – The right lane of U.S. 98 east and westbound on the Pensacola Bay Bridge will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 to 6 a.m. Thursday, May 11 as crews install traffic monitoring devices.
Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling through the construction zone, and to pay attention for workers and equipment entering and exiting the work area. All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Pen Wheels Disabled Fishing Rodeo Held In Walnut Hill
May 8, 2017
The 43rd annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo was held Saturday in Walnut Hill.
Over the history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
Dozens of volunteers stood ready Saturday to help the disabled. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement, while dozens of disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century.
The Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
Pictured: The Pen Wheel Fishing Rodeo for the disabled Saturday in Walnut Hill. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Pickup Truck Found Wrecked In Walnut Hill Wooded Area
May 8, 2017
A wrecked pickup truck was found abandoned in the woods in Walnut Hill Sunday afternoon.
A passerby spotted the pickup in a small wooded area about 4:00 p.m. on Pine Forest Road, just northeast of Pelt Road. The driver was no longer around the vehicle, and it was apparent that the accident had happened earlier.
The accident is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Atmore Ambulance also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Molino Park Kids Goin’ Buggy
May 8, 2017
There were lots of bugs, spiders and other creepy-crawly things at Molino Park Elementary School recently as the kindergaren students presented “Goin’ Buggy”.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos submitted by Lynn Seibert, click to enlarge.
Chattanooga Sweeps Wahoos
May 8, 2017
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost a doubleheader against the Chattanooga Lookout and was swept in the five-game series for the second time in franchise history to the Lookouts since 2013.
Chattanooga won the doubleheader against Pensacola Sunday, 4-2, and, 3-2, at AT&T Field.
Pensacola has lost 12 of its last 14 games and is now 15-15 this season, which is tied for first with the Mississippi Braves in the Southern League South Division.
In the first game, Chattanooga scored three runs in the sixth inning to overcome a 2-1 Pensacola lead to win, 4-2.
Chattanooga first baseman Travis Harrison hit a two-run single in the sixth inning, leading the Lookouts to a 4-2 win over the Blue Wahoos in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday.
A single by DH Travis Harrison, part of a three-run inning, gave the Lookouts a 3-2 lead before third baseman Ryan Walker hit an RBI triple later in the inning.
The Blue Wahoos had taken a 2-1 lead when center fielder Tyler Goeddel hit an RBI single, bringing home right fielder Aristides Aquino in the second inning.
Deck McGuire dropped to 1-2 on the season when he gave up four runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings. McGuire gave up one walk and struck out six in his outing. He is now 1-2 on the year with a 4.01 ERA.
In the second game, Blue Wahoos reliever Brennan Bernardino gave up a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to allow Chattanooga to sweep the double header with a 3-2 victory. He gave up a single to DH LaMonte Wade to center field that drove in right fielder Edgar Corcino.
In the second game, Austin Ross worked seven innings, allowed two runs, one earned on five hits, walked four and struck out six. His ERA is now 0.87, which leads the Southern League.
The Pensacola pitching staff leads the league in earned-run average at 2.69.
Blue Wahoos center fielder Tyler Goeddel was 4-7 in the double header with one run scored and two RBIs to lead Pensacola at the plate. Meanwhile, shortstop Blake Trahan was 3-7 with one RBI and a double, his third of the season.