Wahoos Win 4-1 Over Biloxi
May 2, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos right-hander Austin Ross threw seven scoreless innings and right fielder Aristides Aquino flashed why his nickname is “Punisher” when he crushed a solo homer out of Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The stars of Monday’s game helped Pensacola snap a four-game losing streak to the Biloxi Shuckers and pull out a, 3-1, victory in front of 3,459 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly also monkeyed with his batting order for the second night in a row, putting left fielder Leon Landry in the leadoff spot.
Kelly said winning the final game of the five-game series was important. They improved to 15-10 on the year and lead the Southern League South Division by four games over the other four teams in their division.
“There was a time when being 14-10 in the month we would be really excited,” Kelly said. “Now we’re kind of disappointed. You hate to get swept in a five-game series.”
Pensacola got on the scoreboard first when Aquino sent the ball speeding out of the ballpark over the right center fence in the second inning. The 22-year-old’s second home run of the season put the Blue Wahoos ahead, 1-0.
Pensacola centerfielder Gabriel Guerrero hit a fly ball deep to center field in the sixth inning that allowed Blue Wahoos shortstop Blake Trahan to tag up from third, giving Pensacola a 2-0 lead.
The Blue Wahoos scored for the third time in the eighth inning when second baseman Josh VanMeter hit a towering fly ball to center that allowed right fielder Leon Landry, who had a leadoff double, to score from third.
Kelly said he watched some video on the Internet of Landry playing in 2015 for the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
“He has really come on,” Kelly said of Landry, who is hitting .318 in his last six games after starting the season 0-18. “I’ve tried to find a place for him. I saw this really skinny guy running the bases and hitting home runs and thought, ‘he can do that for us.’”
Meanwhile, Pensacola starter Austin Ross cruised through seven scoreless innings, tying his career-high with nine strikeouts. The 28-year-old allowed a leadoff double to Biloxi second baseman Mauricio Dubon to start the game but then retired 12 of the next 13 benefited from two double plays that came in the second and sixth innings.
Ross, who played his previous seven seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, allowed just three hits and two walks to improve his record to 3-0 and lowered his ERA to 0.79. That is the second highest ERA on the Pensacola pitching staff that features five hurlers with sub-1.00 earned-run averages.
“I’m sure he liked to get a little revenge” against his former team, Kelly said.
Ross said the pitching staff is constantly trying to top each other.
“People say hitting is contagious. Throwing the ball well is contagious,” said Ross, who spent the past two seasons in the Milwaukee organization as a reliever. “You want to go out there and throw six or seven scoreless innings. There’s a little bit of I want to have a good outing, too.”
Biloxi pitcher Angel Ventura also turned in a good start, working six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking two and striking out three. He retired 11 in a row from the second through sixth innings.
Pensacola Police Officer, Escambia Deputy Collide In Traffic Crash
May 2, 2017
A Pensacola Police officer and an Escambia County deputy collided in a traffic crash Sunday on on Scenic Highway during the Pensacola Triathlon.
The accident occurred around 9 a.m. between a Pensacola Police patrol car and an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office motorcycle at the intersection of Scenic Highway and Bayview Way.
The deputy was transported to a local hospital and has been treated and released. Names of officers involved in the incident are not yet being released.
Deputies Believe Molino Shooting Victim Knew Her Killer
May 1, 2017
Investigators believe the Molino woman murdered Sunday knew her killer.
Anna Louis Brown, 38, was found shot and killed on Gibson Road off Crabtree Church Road in Molino Sunday afternoon. Brown was pronounced deceased at the scene; her body was discovered on or near the roadway.
“We do not believe this was a random act,” Maj. Andrew Hobbs of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Monday morning. “We believe she knew the person that killed her.” The Sheriff’s Office has not released the name of any possible suspect.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP
Further details will be posted as they become available in this developing story.
Pictured: The scene shortly after deputies arrived at a shooting on Gibson Road in Molino Sunday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Nice Tonight, Warm And Sunny For Tuesday
May 1, 2017
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 54. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. South wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 53.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 81.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
FHP: Walnut Hill Woman Critical After Multiple Vehicle Collision
May 1, 2017
A Walnut Hill woman reportedly caused a wreck with injuries early Sunday morning in Pensacola’s “Car Ciity”.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 51-year old Sonja Syria was eastbound on Marcus Pointe Boulevard at 4:03 a.m. when she failed to yield the right of way at an intersection with Highway 29. Syria’s 2000 Ford Escort collided with a 2014 Nissan Altima driven by 31-year old John McMahon of Pensacola.
Mahon’s vehicle then struck a 2016 Chevrolet, a 2010 Mercury and a 2014 Jeep Wrangler on a nearby car dealership lot.
Syria received critical injuries and McMahon was seriously injured. Both were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Any charges against Syria are pending the outcome of a further investigation, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Driver Critical After Hitting Guardrail, Power Pole And Trees
May 1, 2017
A driver was critical injured in a single vehicle crash Sunday in Beulah.
The driver lost control on Mobile Highway at Bridlewood Road, sheering off a power pole and hitting guard rail, a sign and multiple trees. The vehicle came to rest about 75 feet into a wooded area. Escambia Fire Rescue extricated the driver of the vehicle before he was transported as a “trauma alert” by Escambia County EMS to an area hospital.
About 125 Gulf Power customers lost electricity as a result of the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. Further information has not been released.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Man Pinned Underneath Motorcycle
May 1, 2017
A Bratt man was injured when a motorcycle fell over on him, pinning him underneath, Sunday evening. The accident occurred at a private residence in the 4000 block of Highway 168 about 6:30 p.m. First responders from the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue were able to quickly lift the motorcycle off the man. He was transported by Atmore Ambulance to West Florida Hospital with non-life threatening injures. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Headed The Beach? Cheaper Toll Option Now Available
May 1, 2017
The price of a Pensacola Beach Public Annual Pass dropped effective today from $50 to $20.
The board’s action does not impact the ability to choose to pay the cash toll of $1 for single trips or the other Pensacola Beach Annual Pass rates. The homestead pass will remain at $5 and the commercial pass, $70. No refunds will be given for any general public annual passes purchased prior to the new fee rate effective May 1.
The new Pensacola Beach Annual Pass integrated with SunPass® provides a true 365-day pass to Pensacola Beach by providing unlimited passage through the Bob Sikes Toll Booth for one full year from the date of purchase. To get your Pensacola Beach Annual Pass:
- Step one – Purchase a SunPass transponder online at www.SunPass.com or in person at retail outlets including Publix, CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens. For a full list, visit https://www.sunpass.com/sunPassRetailers.
- Step two – Enroll in the Pensacola Beach Annual Pass program online or in person at the Bob Sikes Bridge Toll Plaza Customer Service Office located in the Santa Rosa Island Authority office, 1 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach.
Three Escambia K-9 Dogs Are Retiring
May 1, 2017
Three Escambia County Sheriff’s Office K-9 dogs are retiring. Pictured with their deputy handlers are K-9 Edo (top with Jason Land), K-9 Caleb (left with Wayne Gulsby) and K-9 Baro (below with Chris Collier). Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Prom Night Heroes Honored With Lifesaver Awards
May 1, 2017
Three young adults hailed as “prom night heroes” were honored with Woodman of the World Lifesaver Awards Sunday at Little Escambia Baptist Church in Flomaton.
In late March, they were on their way back from the W.S. Neal High School Prom when they noticed the fire. It was prom night for senior Ryley Fore, 18. He attended prom with his date, 22-year old Cheyenne Hammond and his cousin Kalanea Fore who was along to see the senior walkout.
The trio spotted the garage fire at a home on Foshee Road.
Cheyenne called 911 for help, while Ryley and Kalanea made their way inside the home to find 63-year old Marilyn Mize alone and asleep on the couch. She has limited mobility, relying on a walker and wheelchair. Ryley and Kalanea helped her out of the house using her walker, then went back to get the wheelchair to roll her to safety.
Ryley called his dad and grandfather; together they used a hose to knock down the fire in the garage.
The Lifesaver award was presented by Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Lambert, Assistant Flomaton Police Chief Benny Stokes, Flomaton Fire Chief Steve Stanton and Flomaton fireman Dakota Chancery.
Photos by Courtney Rabon for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
