Wahoos Win First Playoff Game
September 8, 2016
In the opening game of the best-of-five Southern League South Division playoffs, Pensacola did it the Wahoo Way.
They extended its franchise record to 12 walk-offs this year when with the bases loaded Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Hudson walked on four straight pitches from Mississippi closer Caleb Dirks to give Pensacola a dramatic 6-5 victory Wednesday.
The game was also entertaining for the 2,652 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium and everyone else in attendance, including Pensacola manager Pat Kelly.
“They call it Wahoo Way baseball,” a grinning Kelly said. “We’ve played it all year. We only had to score two runs to win.”
The thriller came in front of all the top brass in the Cincinnati Reds organization.
“That was outstanding,” said Walt Jocketty, President of Baseball Operations. “It was the best game I’ve seen all year.”
It appeared the game was over with the Blue Wahoos ahead, 4-3, and Southern League saves leader Alejandro Chacin taking the mound to shut down the Braves like he had done in 30 of 35 times during the regular season.
But that’s not what happened. What happened was with one out left to go in the ninth, Mississippi pinch hitter Stephen Gaylor slapped a single up the middle to score right fielder Connor Lien. A low throw from Pensacola center fielder Brandon Dixon and a high throw from second baseman Alex Blandino to home allowed Mississippi shortstop Johan Camargo to score, putting the Braves back on top, 5-4.
After the inning, a dejected looking Chacin walked slower than a turtle back to the dugout.
“We didn’t want to say it but we had a feeling in the dugout that something special was going to happen,” said veteran minor leaguer Ray Chang, who played at first base.
And it did.
Chang tied the game on a single to left field that scored left fielder Phillip Ervin to tie the game, 5-5. Chang’s double in the fourth inning that drove in Dixon also knotted the game, 1-1.
Then Hudson walked with two outs to allow Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde to score the game winning run, 6-5.
“He deserves a lot of credit,” said the 32-year-old Chang about Hudson. “That’s a big time situation. He forced him to throw strikes. That’s a big at bat.”
The Blue Wahoos and the Braves have now played in a one-run game 11 times in the clubs’ 21 meetings this season.”
“Anytime you win game one it’s huge,” Kelly said. “When we squandered an opportunity, you kind of wonder if you’re going to get a chance to get it back.”
Both clubs had their aces starting the playoff opener. Mississippi had southpaw Sean Newcomb on the mound who is the Atlanta Braves No. 3 prospect and led the Southern League with 152 strikeouts this season. He faced Pensacola right hander Rookie Davis, the Reds No. 7 prospect, who leads the team with 10 wins this year.
Davis was pumped up to start his first playoff game of his professional career against Mississippi, striking out the side in the first inning. Davis struck out five of the first nine Braves hitters and eight for the game. He tossed six innings allowing one run on three hits and a walk.
“I just wanted to set the tone for the playoffs,” Davis said. “Striking out the side was great put I was just trying to get three outs so we could get our bats going. That’s what I was going for.”
It was the 23-year-old Davis’ first start at home since being sent down from Triple-A Louisville where he was 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in five games.
“It was a learning experience,” Davis said. “It’s something I needed. After 15 years in the big leagues, I’ll be happy I went through it.”
Newcomb has been plagued this season by control issues, ranking second among Southern League pitchers in the regular season with 71 walks. In his five innings of work, he gave up only two hits and one earned run but he walked six. He also struck out six batters on 96 pitches.
Pensacola had taken the lead in the see-saw battle, 4-3, in the seventh inning when Ervin belted a line drive past the third baseman that Mississippi left fielder Dustin Peterson over ran. The ball rolled past Peterson for an error allowing both pinch hitter Ronald Bueno and Blandino to score and help the Blue Wahoos regain the lead, 4-3.
In the North Division playoff game, the Jackson Generals won just as dramatically to take a 1-0 lead against the Montgomery Biscuits. The Generals won, 3-0, over the Biscuits when Tyler O’Neill hit a walk-off three-run homer in the 10th inning at The Ballpark at Jackson. Generals pitcher Andrew Moore threw nine scoreless innings and allowed just one hit.
Atmore Police Search For Armed Robbery Suspect
September 7, 2016
The Atmore Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating the man responsible for an armed robbery early Sunday morning.
At about 4 a.m. the Kangaroo Station on North Main Street was robbed at gunpoint. The clerk told police that a male dressed in all-black clothing entered the store and pointed a silver handgun at her, and then ordered her to open the register and fill a bag with money.
After handing the gunman the bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber exited the store and went to the rear of the building. A witness stated that he got into unknown type of vehicle and drove away.
Anyone with information on the holdup is asked to call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141.
Learn To Start Your Cool Season Garden This Saturday
September 7, 2016
The Escambia Extension Horticulture Program will present a program on “Starting Your Cool Season Garden” this Saturday morning at 10:30 at the Molino Branch Library at 6450-A Highway 95A. The program will cover how to start and how to grow cool weather edibles. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Navy Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing Near Walnut Hill
September 7, 2016
A Navy training helicopter from Whiting Field made an emergency landing late Tuesday afternoon near Walnut Hill.
Naval Air Station Whiting Field Public Affairs Officer Jay Cope told NorthEscambia.com that were no injuries when the TH-57 training helicopter landed about 20 miles from Whiting Field.
The downed helicopter was reported just before 5:30 p.m. The aircraft was located nearly two hours later about a half mile off Velor Road near Lambert Bridge Road in field planted with young pine trees. Fire responders confirmed that there were no injuries.
“The pilot performed a precautionary emergency landing while on a routine training missing,” Cope said. “The pilot will see an indicator light showing a potential problem with the aircraft and put it down in the first safe place.”
Pictured top: Firefighters searched a remote area off Pine Barren Road for a downed Navy helicopter late Tuesday afternoon. Pictured below: A filed photo of a Navy training helicopter that made an emergency landing in Walnut Hill three years ago. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Winner Claims $88K Prize For Molino Lottery Ticket
September 7, 2016
We now know who purchased a winning Fantasy Five ticket in Molino late last month.
The Florida Lottery says the August 28 ticket worth $88,852.35 was sold to Cynthia K. Williamson of Pace who purchased the “quick pick” ticket at the Molino First Stop at 6530 Highway 95A. A second winning ticket was also sold at the Tom Thumb at 5695 Pensacola Boulevard. No one has yet to claim that winning ticket.
The two tickets sold in Escambia County were the only two tickets in the state to match all of the August 28 winning numbers.
The 239 tickets matching four numbers in the August 28 drawing won $119.50 each. Another 6,879 tickets matching three numbers are worth $11.50 each, and 66,910 ticket holders won a free Quick Pick ticket for picking two numbers.
The August 28 winning numbers were 20-23-30-33-35.
Northview Chiefs Name Football Players Of The Week
September 7, 2016
The Northview Chiefs have named Players of the Week. From Friday night’s win over Escambia Academy, they are:
- Offensive Player of the Week: Luke Ward – 19 rushes, 100 yards, 2 TD; 5-15 passing, 103 yards, 1 TD; also had 38 yards on kickoff return and an interception on defense
- Defensive Player of the Week: Jacob Weaver — 17 total tackles, 8 solo tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss through 2.5 quarters of action
- Dominator Award (given to player with biggest hit): Devin Stabler – Hit on visitor sideline in 4th quarter
Pictured top: Devin Stabler with a big defensive play for the Chiefs. Pictured below: An injured Jacob Weaver is led off the field. Pictured bottom: Luke Ward readies a pass. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Atmore, Mobile To Share $4.8 Million Economic Development Grant
September 7, 2016
Mobile and Atmore will share in $4.8 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support local manufacturing efforts.
Announced during an event in Mobile with Atmore Mayor Jim Staff and Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bill Sisson, the grants will facilitate the construction of a roadway project in Atmore and begin renovations to a building in Mobile for use as a business incubator.
“Manufacturing fuels the world’s most innovative economy and has helped build the American middle class,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Erskine. “These EDA investments in Alabama will help to establish and grow manufacturing firms in the Mobile region, and bring a new aerospace manufacturing facility to Atmore.”
The EDA investments announced today are:
- The city of Atmore will receive a $1.9 million grant to construct an industrial access road that will serve a new aerospace manufacturing facility that will be located in the Rivercane Industrial Park development. This grant will support critical job creation and investment in Atmore, a city that has experienced recent job loss and worker displacement from the loss of two major employers. According to grantee estimates, this investment is expected to create 116 jobs and generate $114 million in private investment.
- The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce will receive a $2.9 million grant to renovate and modernize the former Threaded Fasteners building to house Innovation PortAL, a business incubator that will support economic diversification in this designated manufacturing region. Innovation PortAL will provide access to intense mentoring services, investment capital, investing networks, and a highly educated and skilled workforce to support local entrepreneurs and businesses.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Rodeo Presents $1,500 To My Father’s Arrows
September 7, 2016
Jay Pro Rodeo was represented by JHS SGA members, advisors and Frederick Barrow in presenting My Father’s Arrows with a donation of $1,500. SGA members also volunteered at the thrift store and helped to sort and store clothing.
The SGA offered thanks to Sarai and Jason Ellis and the work they do to help foster children and families throughout our area. The My Father’s Arrows Thrift Store is located on Elva Street in Milton. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Motorcyclist Injured In Cantonment Crash
September 6, 2016
A motorcycle rider missed a 90-degree curve and ran into a wooded area Tuesday morning in Cantonment. The accident occurred in a curve on West Kingsfields Road, west of County Road 97. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS with non-life threatening injuries. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
ATV Driver That Hit Van Last Week Passes Away
September 6, 2016
A young man critically injured in the collision of a three-wheel ATV and a van last week in Canoe, AL, has passed away as the result of his injuries.
Cody Johns, 19, was riding the ATV westbound on the shoulder of the road when collided with the side of a van at a stop sign about 7:40 a.m. on September 1.. His view of the approaching van was likely blocked due to a building on the corner of the intersection.
The accident happened about 7:40 a.m. September 1 at the intersection of Highway 31 and South Canoe Road, about two miles north of the state line. Johns was transported to an area hospital; he passed away early Sunday afternoon.
The driver of the van was not injured. The accident remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
