Wahoos Remain In First With Two Games Remaining
September 6, 2015
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are in an exciting finish down to the wire for the second half South Division crown in the Southern League, and they have the added excitement with Billy Hamilton playing for them as he recovers from his right shoulder injury.
Pensacola lost Saturday night, 6-3, to the Mobile BayBears leaving two games left to play, but the sellout crowd of 5,038 got to watch in awe as Hamilton scored in the fifth inning from first base on a single, showing off his cheetah-like speed.
Hamilton beat the throw home even though he hesitated between second and third. Hamilton had reached first with a two-out single on a line drive to right field.
Pensacola Manager Pat Kelly, who coached Hamilton in the Rookie League, said the center fielder is fun to watch.
“Scoring from first on a single is not too shabby either,” Kelly said. “Once he saw the play would be close, he out ran the ball to home, which you supposedly can’t do. He just adds to the excitement. Billy is extremely fun to watch.”
Hamilton, the Rookie of the Year finalist from the Cincinnati Reds last year, said he felt very welcome by the fans, many who watched him set the minor league record of 155 stolen bases in 2012 for Pensacola. He currently leads the National League with 54 before going on the DL on Aug. 19.
“There are great owners and great people who work here,” Hamilton said. “They made me feel good.”
Hamilton, who was 1-3 with a run scored and a walk, said he would do what he could to help Pensacola clinch the division, which they currently lead by a half game over the Mississippi Braves and one game over Mobile.
“I can tell they really want to win it,” Hamilton said. “It’s fun to play with guys like that. I told them just because I’m a big leaguer, don’t treat me that way. I told them, I’m one of you guys.”
Pensacola shortstop Alex Blandino’s single to the right-center field gap in the fifth inning pulled Pensacola within, 6-2, on Hamilton’s safe slide home.
The Blue Wahoos added another run the seventh inning to come within, 6-3, when Blandino hit a ground rule double that knocked in shortstop Zach Vincej.
However, Mobile scored three times in the first inning with the BayBears second baseman Garrett Weber doubling in the right field corner to score shortstop Jack Reinheimer, who had walked. Mobile first baseman Rudy Flores then doubled in Weber. Finally, BayBears third baseman Sean Jamieson singled up the middle that Pensacola second baseman Zach Vincej stopped. He had Flores hung up between third and home but through the ball in the dirt to Blue Wahoos third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean and Flores scored to put Mobile up, 3-0.
Mobile led by as much as, 6-1, when Jamieson knocked in two more runs in the fifth inning on a double to the left center gap.
Pensacola, which secured its first winning record in a half since its first season in 2012, is now 37-31, while Mississippi fell to 36-31 with its loss Saturday. Mobile, which is trying to make the playoffs for the sixth straight year, improved to 35-31.
The North Division playoffs are already set with Twins Double-A affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts facing the Tampa Bay Devil Rays affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits.
Pensacola is looking to make its first postseason appearance since its inaugural season in 2012 and end the longest drought of missing the playoffs by a Southern League Major League affiliate. The Cincinnati Reds last Double-A team to make the playoffs was Chattanooga in 2006.
The second half winner plays the Shuckers, which won the first half despite playing its first 54 games on the road, while Biloxi finished its new MGM Park by June 6.”
Kelly acknowledged that Pensacola has gone, 2-5, but still remains in first place. He thanked the last-place Jacksonville Suns for playing Mississippi tough.
“They’ve helped us out,” Kelly said. “We’re all competitors. Even last place teams need something to play for.”
AAA: Labor Day Gas Cheapest Since 2004
September 6, 2015
Pump prices continue to drop and most drivers are paying the lowest gas prices for Labor Day weekend since 2004. The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has fallen for 14 consecutive days for a total of 20 cents per gallon.
For the Labor Day holiday travel period defined as Thursday, September 3 to Monday, September 7, AAA projects 35.5 million Americans will trek 50 miles or more.
Gasoline prices nationwide average $2.53 per gallon, 90 cents cheaper than a year ago. The previous lowest price for Labor Day gas was $1.85 in 2004.
The average price per gallon for regular unleaded Saturday in the Escambia County are was $2.24, down from $2.49 one month ago and $3.35 one year ago. Pensacola’s lowest gas price Saturday night was $2.13, while the lowest in Escambia County, AL, was $1.98 in Brewton.
Pictured: A gallon of regular unleaded was selling at $2.29 late Saturday afternoon in Century, a nickel above the Escambia County average of $2.24. NorthEscambia.com photo.
Two Injured In Early Morning Cantonment Wreck
September 5, 2015
At least two people were injured in an early Saturday morning crash in Cantonment.
A pickup truck and car collided on Muscogee Road at Webb Street about 4 a.m. Saturday. Two people in the car were injured, one as a “trauma alert”, and were transported to area hospitals. The driver of the pickup truck was not on the scene when first responders arrived.
Further details have not yet been released as the Florida Highway Patrol continues their investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Shooting Victim Arrested For Battery
September 5, 2015
The target of a shooting Wednesday morning near Walnut Hill has been arrested.
Jake Clayton Smith, 26, was charged with battery. He remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond early Saturday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Smith’s residence in the 6000 block of Rockaway Creek Road Wednesday morning where they found him with injuries to his legs and feet after a couple of gunshots were fired in his direction but into the floor of the home. He was injured by debris, but not directly shot.
When deputies arrived, they heard a female cry for help, and found her in a bathroom window stating that Smith was trying to get into the bathroom with her. The deputy advised her to crawl out of the windows, at which time Smith came out the rear door of the residence and was taken into custody without incident.
The female told deputies that she had accompanied Smith to a Davisville bar that morning so he could have a drink in memory of a deceased friend. He became intoxicated and upset, accusing her of flirting with other men at the bar, according to an arrest report.
When they returned to the residence, Smith came inside and grabbed a gun. The female stated she grabbed the gun away from Smith and had another firearm in her possession. She backed into a corner of the living room with both weapons, and fired both guns into the floor with Smith lunged and grabbed her around the neck.
The victim ran into a bedroom and locked the door, but did not have her cell phone to call 911. Instead, she used a tablet to message her brother on Facebook to call the Sheriff’s Office.
Smith was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital for treatment.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats West Florida (With Photo Gallery)
September 5, 2015
The Tate High School Aggies beat the West Florida Jaguars 17-3 Friday night at Woodham Middle School.
The West Florida Jaguars took an early 3-0 lead on a field goal. The Aggies regained the lead 7-3 on a quarterback keeper from Sawyer Smith.
Tate expanded their advantage to 14-3 on an 80-yard touchdown run from Alondo Thompkins. The Aggies held that 14-3 lead headed into halftime and came back with a field goal to win 17-3.
Thompkins racked up 134 yards for the Aggies.
For photo gallery, click here.
The Tate Aggies are off next week and will host Pensacola High School at 7:30 p.m. on September 18 for homecoming.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Keith Garrison, click to enlarge.
Early Morning Blaze At Nine Mile Restaurant Quickly Extinguished
September 5, 2015
Firefighters discovered a small kitchen fire inside the Tokyo Restaurant on Nine Mile Road early Saturday morning
Someone at a nearby Pizza Hut called 911 shortly before 1 a.m. to report seeing smoke coming from the building in the Winn Dixie shopping plaza. As firefighters investigated, they found the small fire inside the rear of the Tokyo Restaurant, and it was quickly extinguished.
The restaurant was not open at the time. There were no injuries reported.
High School Football Score Roundup
September 5, 2015
Here is a look at Friday night’s high school football scores from across the area:
FLORIDA
Tate 17, West Florida 3 [Read more, photos...]
Resurrection Catholic 12, Jay 0 [Read more, photos...]
Choctaw 31, Pine Forest 28
Pensacola 40, Pace 10
Escambia 28, Niceville 24
Navarre 42, Washington, 0
Catholic 41, Gulf Breeze 24
Milton 27, Champagnat Catholic 20
Northview — OPEN
ALABAMA
Washington Co. 27, Flomaton 12
Vigor 43, Atmore 0
T.R. Miller 7, Bayside Academy 0
W.S. Neal 15, Clarke Co. 0
Escambia Academy 49, Lancaster Christian (Smyrna, TN) 8
Drunk Driver Hits Four-Year Old
September 5, 2015
An Atmore driver is behind bars of hitting and critically injuring a four-year old child late Friday afternoon.
Atmore Police responded to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on Third Avenue near the intersection of Church Street. Officers arrived to find an unresponsive four-year year old female down on the street next to the curb. EMT’s with Atmore Ambulance were able to resuscitate the child.
The child was transported by Atmore Ambulance to the Walnut Hill Fire Station and then airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. There was no update available on the child’s condition.
The driver of the vehicle, 43-year old Shannon Black of Atmore, was administered field sobriety tests and was arrested for driving under the influence at the scene after officers were able to determine that she was impaired, according to Atmore Police. She was also driving on a suspended license. Police said Black will also be charged with assault second degree. Further charges may be pending upon completion of the investigation.
Black was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton where she remained Saturday.
Pictured: LifeFlight on the ground at the Walnut Hill Fire Station. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Northwest Escambia Opens Season Today At Home
September 5, 2015
The season is underway for the Northwest Escambia Chiefs Youth and Football program.
Today, the NWE youth program will host W.S. Neal at Northview High School. The complete season schedule is below:
The first game will start on time; the following game times each day are approximate.
* Homecoming ** Division Game
One Evaluated For Smoke Inhalation After Minor Walnut Hill House Fire
September 5, 2015
One person was evaluated for smoke inhalation after a minor house fire in Walnut Hill Friday afternoon.
When firefighters arrived at the home on North Cypress Street, they found a burnt electrical outlet in the living area of the single story brick home but no fire. An adult female complaining of some inhalation was evaluated on the scene by Atmore Ambulance but was not transported to the hospital.
There were no other injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
