Wahoos Beat Jackson 10-4
April 24, 2016
Anthony DeSclafani, who was scheduled to be the opening day starter for the Cincinnati Reds, instead got his first start Saturday at the Major League club’s Double-A affiliate the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
DeSclafani left the game after throwing 61 pitches in four innings in his first rehab assignment from a mild strain of his oblique that he suffered in Spring Training. He was trailing, 3-0, on two home runs crushed by Jackson Generals right fielder Tyler O’Niell.
However, Pensacola ended its five-game skid and 21.1 scoreless innings to steamroll Jackson, 10-4, in front of a sellout crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. It was the Blue Wahoo’s fourth sellout in seven home games this season.
Making his first start in Pensacola wasn’t how DeSclafani planned his second season in the big leagues, after becoming the first Reds’ rookie to lead the team in wins (9), starts (31), innings pitched (184.2) and strike outs (151) since Art Fowler in 1954.
“Whether you’re a rookie or not, no one wants to start on the disabled list,” DeSclafani said. “I’m competitive, so not being out there is not fun.”
DeSclafani left two hanging curveballs over the plate and O’Neill blasted both of them out of Blue Wahoos Stadium into the Community Maritime Park. O’Neill’s two-run home run in the first inning cleared Hill-Kelly Hill and walkway in right center field. His second splashed into the Pensacola Bay over the left field wall.
DeSclafani allowed four hits, one walk, struck out five and gave up three earned runs in his four innings of work. His fastball reached 95 mph on the scoreboard radar gun and he also worked on his off-speed pitches. In the first inning, DeSclafani walked Jackson lead-off batter Guillermo Heredia on four straight pitches, and then on three straight pitches he struck out the next batter, second baseman Tim Lopes.
“I felt great,” said DeSclafani, who said his next rehab assignment is at Low-A Dayton. “I was working on all my pitches. I hope Dayton goes well and then I will meet the (Cincinnati) team wherever they’re at.”
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said he thought DeSclafani looked better on the mound the longer he pitched.
“This is the first time he’s pitched a game,” Kelly pointed out. “He got stronger as he went along.”
DeSclafani said he’s happy with Cincinnati giving all its young talent an opportunity to play for them as they rebuild its team. He was one of nine rookie starters in 2015 and part of the Major League record of 64 consecutive starts by rookie pitchers.
“What a great opportunity this is for all the young players,” DeSclafani said. “The vibe this year has been awesome with all the young guys. A lot of young guys are here (in Pensacola) to start their career and prove they belong in the big leagues. The Reds are giving them that opportunity and it’s great.”
He continued, “I was given that opportunity last year and I’m here again in year two, hopefully, to build on last year and try to establish my career.”
DeSclafani, who played in the Southern League in 2013 and 2014 for the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns, said he had some fond memories of the Southern League flood his mind during his drive down Pensacola Beach to get a closer look at its world-renowned white sandy beaches.
“I do have flashbacks,” he said. “I faced Jon Moscot in his debut. He got a hit and he hasn’t let me live it down. It was fun being part of that team and the Southern League.”
After hitting .167 against Biloxi and getting shutout, 1-0, in back-to-back games, Pensacola’s bats came to life Saturday.
The team scored nine runs on nine hits in the sixth and seventh innings, sending 20 batters to the plate.
Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino, who entered the game hitting .103, led the way with a single and two doubles in five at bats and drove in a run. He raised his average to .176.
“It felt great to get those hits and help our team win tonight,” Blandino said. “It’s been tough. Hopefully, we’ll be aggressive and keep rolling, not just me, but our whole lineup.”
Kelly said it was just a matter of time for the team to start hitting. It’s average is .209 on the season.
“We had to break out eventually,” he said. “We couldn’t keep throwing zeros up there.”
Pensacola improved to 10-7 and remains in second place in the Southern League South Division. Jackson’s five-game winning streak ended and fell to 11-5 but is still in first place in the North Division.
No Injuries In Molino Three Vehicle Hit And Run Crash
April 24, 2016
There were no injuries in a three vehicle crash Sunday morning in Molino.
The accident was reported about 10:40 a.m. on Highway 29 near Chance Road. Witnesses said the pictured red pickup truck struck a late model green SUV that fled the scene. The red pickup was then rear-ended by another pickup truck.
The wreck remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.
Reader submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Federal, State Agencies Execute Search Warrant In State Line Shooting Death
April 23, 2016
Federal and state agents joined the Flomaton Police Department in executing a search warrant Friday afternoon at a home on the Alabama-Florida state line where a man died from a gunshot wound Tuesday.
For now, authorities are not saying who they think fired the fatal shot that killed 18-year old Kenneth Harris, Jr. of Flomaton. The death is still being classified as “suspicious” rather than a murder, according to Police Chief Bryan Davis.
“We are executing a search warrant this afternoon to gather evidence and determine exactly what happened here,” Davis said.
NorthEscambia.com was the only media present as agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshals, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Flomaton Police Department executed the search warrant at a home on Lender Street, an area directly on the Alabama-Florida state line off Alley 5 in Century.
The exact location of the state line on Lender Street is hard to determine; it appears in slightly different locations on different maps. But after the Tuesday incident, authorities reached the conclusion that the home is in Alabama based upon property tax records.
About 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Flomaton Police Department received a 911 call that a person had been shot. Officers from the Flomaton Police Department and the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office responded, with the the Flomaton Police Department taking the lead role in the investigation.
For more exclusive photos, click here.
Pictured top: A Flomaton Police officer (right) and a FBI agent removed evidence from a home on Lender Street in Flomaton Friday afternoon. Pictured inset: An FBI agent removes additional evidence. Pictured below: A U.S. Marshal watches over the scene where a search warrant was executed Friday afternoon. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
75 Felony Convictions Later, Escambia Man Gets Life In Prison
April 23, 2016
An Escambia County man with over 75 felony convictions is headed to prison for life.
Tommy Allen Kroll was sentenced by Circuit Judge Thomas Dannheisser to life in state prison with a mandatory minimum of 15 years as a prison releasee reoffender. Kroll was convicted by an Escambia County Jury of burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft. Kroll will not be eligible for parole and must spend the rest of his life in prison.
On July 20, 2014, Kroll entered a Pensacola residence while the homeowner and family were sleeping and stole jewelry and electronics, leaving behind latex gloves with his DNA. In the course of the burglary, a resident was awakened and personally confronted Kroll, who immediately fled. Evidence of a similar burglary committed five days later was also presented at trial showing Kroll broke into another Pensacola residence with sleeping occupants, stealing electronics. Kroll was also personally challenged by this resident, and he left behind chewing gum with saliva, from which his identifying DNA was obtained.
Kroll received a life sentence due, in part, to his extensive criminal history consisting of more than 75 felony convictions. A significant portion of these convictions were residential burglaries and related charges.
Teen Driver, Mother Arrested In Hit And Run Death Of 12-Year Old
April 23, 2016
A 17-year old driver and her mother have been arrested for the hit and run death of 12-year old Devon Spencer last February in East Brewton, AL.
Donnavia Zandra Williams was arrested Friday for manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, failure to report an accident with injuries, and assault. She was being held in the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton with bond set at $150,000.
Her mother, Jennifer Lynn Moody Williams was arrested for failure to report an accident with injuries and booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center with bond set at $150,000.
Both were indicted by a grand jury on Thursday.
On February 11, Devon Spencer and his friend were walking to school on Williamson Street in East Brewton when they were hit by a car. The friend was not seriously injured, but Devon died a few days later at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Jackknifed Truck Slows Traffic
April 23, 2016
An Escambia County man was not injured in a single vehicle wreck that slowed interstate traffic across Pensacola Bay Friday evening.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 52-year old Earnest Micheal Boardwyne was eastbound on I-10 just east of Scenic Highway when he expressed a loss of air pressure to a tandem trailer, causing the brakes to lock. The second trailer rotated and overturned, causing the 2015 Freightliner semi to jackknife.
Jackknifed
Ernest Ward Middle National Junior Honor Society Inducts New Members
April 23, 2016
New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a candlelight ceremony Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School.
The NJHS is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.
New National Junior Honor Society members at Ernest Ward are:
Seventh Grade: Maggie Amerson, Logan Bryan, Conner Byrne, Kayla Campbell, Sophia Cotita, Savannah Doremus, Makayla Garrett, Amber Gilman, Shelby Godwin, Zaria Griffin, Hailey Harigel, Hannah Hughes, Maille Kilcrease, Heather Knowles, Bryce Korinchak, Kaley Lashley, Abigail Levins, Ireland Maharrey, Meredith McGhee, Nathaniel Mickel, Mary Paige Nassar, Abigail Nelson, Taviana Parker, Madison Peterson, Libby Pugh, Tyler Ray, Kenna Redmond, Emily Stabler, Cody Thomas, Ariel Ward, Ben Ward, Summer Waters, Autumn Williams and Lane Wilson.
Eighth Grade: Logan Brown, Dalton Burke, Ragon Lassiter and Katelyn Wilson.
Pictured: New members were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Friday at Ernest Ward Middle School. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Earth Day Celebrated In Century
April 23, 2016
An Earth Day celebration was held Friday afternoon in Century.
The event, held around the Ole Mill Pond at the Century Health and Rehabilitation Center, featured multiple eco-friendly vendors and exhibitors, plus live entertainment.
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Losing Streak Increases To Five Games
April 23, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos losing streak increased to five games after the Jackson Generals eked out the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning to win, 1-0, Friday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Jackson scored without getting a hit. In the top of the ninth inning, Jackson DH Leon Landry smacked a line drive to left field but it was deep enough to score center fielder Guillermo Heredia from third and put the Generals ahead, 1-0.
Heredia led off with a walk and then was bunted to second by second baseman Tim Lopes. He reached third base on a wild pitch by reliever Kyle McMyne, who was making his seventh relief appearance.
One good spot remains the Pensacola starting pitching. Daniel Wright, making his second spot start of the season, pitched six scoreless innings, giving up two hits, walking one and striking out six. He’s now pitched 11 scoreless innings, allowed three hits and struck out 12.
On the year Wright, who was a starter last year for Pensacola before moving to long reliever, is 2-0 and he dropped his ERA to 0.59.
Kelly said he believes Wright has better command of his pitches this season.
“He was pretty good last year but I think he’s gotten a little better,” Kelly said. “He has command of both sides of the plate. He had a good outing in Biloxi and then throws six strong innings to give us a chance.”
Pensacola, which hit .167 in its last series against the Biloxi Shuckers, had a season-high five doubles and seven hits total. But it was 0-10 with runners in scoring position, leaving eight men on base. It was the second game in a row that Pensacola was shutout, 1-0.
The Blue Wahoos left two runners, centerfielder Beau Amaral and first baseman Donald Lutz on base, after they doubled to lead off the third and seventh innings, respectively.
“Obviously, it’s frustrating,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “You want to score runs but we haven’t done it the last couple of nights.”
The Generals remained atop the Southern League North Division at 11-4 and are riding a five game winning streak, matching its longest win streak from last season.
Meanwhile, Pensacola dropped its fifth straight game and is now 9-7 on the year and in second place in the Southern League South Division.
“There’s no reason to panic,” Kelly said. “It’s a long year. Every club goes through these things.”
Both Amaral and right fielder Sebastian Elizalde extended their hitting streaks to seven games. Amaral doubled in the third inning, while Elizalde singled in the fourth. Amaral is now 7-22 or .318 with a home run and four RBIs.
The Blue Wahoos still are getting clutch defense. Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson, rated the best defensive catcher by Baseball America in the Cincinnati Reds organization, threw out Jackson second baseman Tim Lopes trying to steal, making him a perfect 6-6 on the season. In the third inning, despite Hudson’s perfect strike, Generals left fielder Ian Miller stole his fifth base of the season.
Jackson tested Hudson again in the sixth inning and Heredia was nailed trying to steal, putting Hudson at 7-8 on runners trying to steal this season.
83-Year Old Charged With Friday Morning Stabbing Death
April 22, 2016
One person has been arrested in a Friday morning homicide in Escambia County.
At 5:30 a.m. someone reported that 29-year old Matthew Vaughn had been stabbed inside a home in the 8000 block of Tippin Avenue, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. When deputies arrived on scene they found Vaughn deceased from multiple stab wounds inside a bedroom in the home.
Felipe Gonzalez, 83, has been arrested and charged with homicide. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
Further details have not yet been released.
Pictured above and below: The scene of a stabbing death Friday morning at the corner of Olive and Tippin. Reader submitted photos by Jennie Thompson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
