Blue Wahoos Comeback Falls Short Saturday In Ninth-Inning Heartbreak
September 1, 2024
written by Bill Violona
The bases-loaded pitch exited off Andrew Pintar’s bat faster than it entered across the plate, instantly igniting a ninth-inning roar from Saturday’s capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A second later, however, a collective groan ensued.
Pintar’s rocket line drive was caught by Mississippi Braves shortstop Cal Conley, who then made an easy flip to second base for a game-ending double play in the M-Braves’ 7-5 win against the Blue Wahoos.
The solace for the crowd was fireworks, which soon lit the sky as the traditional post-game Saturday show – this one sponsored by Woodlands Medical Specialists – brought cheers after Pensacola’s disappointing loss.
The game was also designated as Star Wars Night, complete with 18 costumed characters who were part of the large crowd.
The Blue Wahoos rallied from another galaxy after trailing 6-0 in the second inning. They got within a run after chipping away, scoring their fifth run in the seventh inning. The M-Braves, as they have done all week, manufactured an insurance run in the eighth and let their bullpen handle the rest.
Saturday’s loss, coupled by the Biloxi Shuckers’ home win against the Montgomery Biscuits, drops the Blue Wahoos (64-59 overall, 26-29 second half) four games back with 13 games left in a three-team race for a second-half playoff spot.
It’s going to be a tall order from this point. First, the Blue Wahoos will try and split this six-game series with the M-Braves in Sunday’s homestand finale.
The game Saturday began with a thud. Blue Wahoos starter Robby Snelling, making his second home start, had his roughest outing since joining the team as part of a July 30 trade the Miami Marlins made with the San Diego Padres.
Five of the first six batters that Snelling faced all scored. Snelling plunked Conley, the game’s leadoff batter. Second baseman David Fletcher followed with a single. Fletcher is the two-way player who started Thursday’s game throwing his knuckleball.
Both players advanced on a double steal. Conley scored on an infield hit. A run-scoring single followed, then a two-run triple by Cody Milligan, who then scored on an infield groundout.
In the second inning, what could have been a double-play groundout was instead an error, allowing leadoff batter Brandon Parker to advance and score on Fletcher’s single for a 6-0 lead.
But from this point, Snelling settled into a groove and retired 14 of the final 16 batters he faced in order.
The Blue Wahoos got back into the game with Paul McIntosh. He blasted a two-run homer in the second, then a solo homer in the seventh inning that made it a one-run game.
An inning earlier, Nathan Martorella hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning.
In the ninth, trailing by two runs, an opportunity existed when Joe Mack led off with a single. Cody Morissette was hit by a pitch with one out, and Shane Sasaki walked.
M-Braves reliever Jorge Juan was struggling with command. And his pitch to Pintar was hit on the barrel and could have been the game-tying shot. Instead, it became the game-ender.
The Blue Wahoos will try to finish with a split of the series when Patrick Monteverde, who pitched so well in Tuesday’s win, returns for his second start in the second-to-last Sunday home game of the season.
Beulah Man Charged With 20 Child Porn Counts Can Remove GPS Monitor On Bond, Judge Rules
August 31, 2024
A 50-year-old man arrested last month by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on 20 felony child porn counts will remain free on bond and will be allowed to remove his GPS monitor, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Charles “Billy” Danielson was charged July 10 with 20 counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials and one count of using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.
According to court records, Danielson was released from the Escambia County Jail after posting a $210,000 bond and pleading not guilty.
Danielson filed a motion to remove a GPS monitoring requirement from his bond conditions.
Prosecutors did not object to the GPS monitor being removed, and Judge John Simon granted the motion Wednesday. However, Simon additional condition to the bond.
Danielson “must move back to the state of FL by Oct 1st”, according to court documents. A previous pretrial release agreement restricted him to remaining within 100 miles of his residence, but die not directly address leaving the state.
FDLE said the investigation began in February after agents received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a social media user uploading images of child pornography.
On July 10, agents served a search warrant at Danielson’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices for examination. Agents said they found numerous images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of male and female children, some as young as infants and toddlers.
Danielson is due back in court in late November with trial currently set for December.
Escambia County Misses Chance To Sink SS United States For A Reef
August 31, 2024
Escambia County has missed out on acquiring the SS United States to sink offshore as an artificial reef.
Okaloosa has signed an agreement to be ratified next week to purchase the historic ship for $9 million.
Escambia County had discussed potentially buying the ship. Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh said in July that it would take a commitment of $10 million, but Escambia never made an offer.
The Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee is expected to discuss the idea at a Monday afternoon meeting.
The SS United States is 990 feet long, 100 feet longer than the Titanic. It is just over 101 feet wide, and 53,330 tonnes. The draw at the load line was 36 feet-4 inches. The ocean liner was built between 1950 and 1951 for Unite States Lines. It was taken out of service in 1969.
The nonprofit SS United States Conservancy is working to relocate the ship from Philadelphia to comply with a court order.
Earlier this summer, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Anita Brody ruled that the SS United States’ landlord, Penn Warehousing, could not double dockage fees without notice in its effort to force America’s Flagship from Pier 82 in Philadelphia. However, the Court also directed the Conservancy to remove the irreplaceable national symbol from Pier 82 in Philadelphia by September 12, 2024.
Neptune Leads Tate As The Aggies Roll Over Gulf Breeze 41-0
August 31, 2024
The Tate Aggies added another to the win column with a decisive 41-0 victory over the Gulf Breeze Dolphins on Friday night. The dominant performance showcased the Aggies’ offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.
Christian Neptune led the way for Tate, showcasing his versatility with big plays both on the ground and through the air. Early in the game, Tate quarterback Taite Davis threw between the defensive back’s hands to find Neptune to put the Aggies up 7-0.
Demorian Clay scored from two yards out to extend the Aggie lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter.
Neptune wasn’t done, racking up yardage on seven straight runs after halftime in Gulf Breeze. On a screen pass, the senior broke free for a 53-yard touchdown on a screen pass. The Aggies converted the two-point conversion, giving them a comfortable 21-0 advantage with just under eight minutes on the clock in the third.
But wait…there was one more TD from Neptune when he had a long reception from 44 yards out and another score.
Tate recovered the ensuing kickoff and Taite Davis connected with Elijah West from seven yards out for another score that put it 34-0 after three.
The Aggies’ defense was equally impressive, shutting down the Dolphins’ offense throughout the game. Their ability to limit Gulf Breeze’s offensive opportunities was a key factor in the victory.
After back-to-back shutouts, the Aggies improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2017.
Next week, the Aggies will wrap up a three-game road series at the Pensacola High Tigers.
Northview Chiefs Drop Road Game To Opp
August 31, 2024
The Northview Chiefs suffered a 34-7 defeat at the hands of the Opp Bobcats on Friday night in Opp, Alabama.
The lone bright spot for the Chiefs came in the third quarter, when junior quarterback Dane King connected with sophomore JJ Jacobs for a touchdown (pictured top).
Northview, now 1-1 on the season, will look to regroup and bounce back next week. They will travel to Freeport to take on the Bulldogs, who are coming off a 34-0 shutout loss to the Jay Royals Thursday night.
The Chiefs will return home to Bratt for their Senior Night game against Central on September 13.
Photos by www.joeleeimages.com (sports photographer for the Opp Bobcats) for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Animal Welfare Offers Free Pet Adoptions
August 31, 2024
The Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare is making it easier than ever to bring a furry friend home. From now until September 7, adoption fees for all dogs and cats one year or older will be waived.
Puppies will be available for $50, and kittens can be adopted for just $25. An $11 licensing fee will apply to all adoptions for Escambia County residents.
The Escambia County Animal Welfare and Adoption Center is located at 200 West Fairfield Drive. The shelter is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The shelter will be closed on Monday, September 2, for Labor Day.
For more information, call (850) 595-3075.
Picture above:
- Drake is a 1 year, 5 month old neutered male mixed breed dog that has been at the Escambia shelter since Jul 18, 2024.
- Flame is a 3-year-old domestic shorthair cat that has been in the shelter since August 16.
Both were available for adoption as of the close of business Friday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
High School Football Scoreboard
August 31, 2024
Here are this week’s North Escambia area football scores from Thursday and Friday night action.
FLORIDA
- Tate 41, Gulf Breeze 0 [Game recap]
- Opp 34, Northview 7 [Photos, story]
- West Florida 34 Washington 33 (OT)
- Niceville 42, Escambia 21
- Pensacola Catholic 34, Pace 20
- J.U. Blacksher 44. Central 6
- Daphne 34 Pine Forest 7
- Choctaw 35, Navarre 0
- Jay 34, Freeport 6 (Thursday)
- Pensacola 16, Milton 7 (Thursday)
ALABAMA
- Flomaton 43,Chickasaw 0
- T.R. Miller 40, Straughn 7
- Excel 29, W.S. Neal 28 (Thursday)
- Jackson Academy 27, Escambia Academy 20
- Escambia County 33, Monroe County 8
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Miss On Chances As M-Braves Even Series
August 31, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
A night after a memorable comeback win, the Blue Wahoos again had a sixth-inning chance at a go-ahead rally.
This time it fizzled. And then loomed large the rest of the way.
The Mississippi Braves broke through with a pair of late-inning, solo homers and their bullpen – led by former Pensacola State College star Patrick Halligan – did the rest in a 4-2 win Friday to even the series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 4,089 watched a battle of the bullpens in the final four innings.
With the game tied in the bottom of the sixth, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases with one out. M-Braves lefthanded reliever Drew Parrish dug in.
Parrish, a Merritt Island native who pitched at Florida State, located a 3-2 fastball that froze Graham Pauley on a called strikeout. He then threw a cutter to strike out Joe Mack swinging to end the inning. The Blue Wahoos finished the game 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
From that point, the Blue Wahoos only managed one hit. Halligan pitched in the seventh and eighth innings, giving up one hit, a walk and three strikeouts to earn his sixth win. He is now 5-1 with a 2.16 earned run average and has allowed just two runs in his last nine appearances.
Halligan, 24, a Vienna, Virginia native, was drafted out of PSC in 2021 as a 13th round pick by the Kansas City Royals. He was acquired by the Atlanta Braves as a minor league free agent before the 2023 season. Halligan earned a hold in the M-Braves’ win Wednesday against the Blue Wahoos.
Pauley drove in the Blue Wahoos’ first run in the first inning on a single that scored Nathan Martorella, who had hit a one-out double.
The M-Braves took a 2-1 lead on Cody Milligan’s two-run single against Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller in the fifth inning. Miller had another strong start. He did not allow a hit in the first four innings and finished with two hits allowed and three strikeouts in five innings pitched.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game in their half of the fifth. Paul McIntosh’s two-out single scored Pauley, who had reached on a single.
The M-Braves’ Cal Conley hit a two-out homer off Justin King in the eighth. Yolbert Sanchez homered off Dale Stanavich in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will try to take a lead in the series with Saturday’s game in the second-to-final fireworks night of the season. Robby Snelling will be on the mound for the Blue Wahoos against the M-Braves’ Lucas Braun.
$90 Million Proposed For Indoor Sports Facility At Ashton Brosnaham Park And Bay Center Upgrades
August 30, 2024
An indoor sports facility costing up to $60 million could be coming to Escambia County’s Ashton Brosnaham Park, and the Pensacola Bay Center could see a $30 million upgrade funding with tourism tax dollars.
Those ideas were pitched to the Tourist Development Council Thursday afternoon, but decisive action was not taken on either item.
Ashton Brosnaham Indoor Sports Facility
A proposal for an indoor sports facility at the county-owned Ashton Brosnaham Park calls for a building that’s 100,000 square foot, including 73,000 square feet of open floor space that would be large enough to host eight basketball courts that could be converted into 16 volleyball courts with support space, or it could be used as large exhibition hall for other types of events.
Other key takeaways on the proposed facility:
- 14 acres of the park is flat, open, undeveloped and already zone for recreation
- 700+ paved parking spaces in the current design
- Primary support for hardwood sports and related events
- Open common areas would include meeting spaces, viewing areas, vendor space, concessions, retail space
- Second floor walking track and viewing area
- Open to the public for recreation, will also host tournaments and events
- Collaboration with Escambia County Public Schools on access and utilization
- Community use of facility on non-tournament dates
- Projected operating deficit offset by ~$37 million in economic impact per year
- Projected new tax revenues of ~$2.7 million per year
- Total project cost range: $48 – $61 million
“It’s a tried and proven location; it doesn’t get any better than the SEC,” Escambia County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Rhodes said The Park has hosted the 2024 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament and will host it again this year on November 3-10. “We are willing to grow that, and we want to grow that and make that (Ashton Brosnaham Park) the true sports destination in Escambia County. Which we feel it’s already one its way.”
Rhodes said the school district has expressed a willingness to provide property for second roadway into the facility that would also benefit current soccer programs that have 700-800 youth players annually.
“It’s in a growing area in our community,” Rhodes added as he touted Ashton Brosnaham of 10 Mile Road as the perfect location. “This project can be a win-win for everybody…and this is something that will stand the test of time.”
A feasibility study funded by Pensacola Sports came in at 155 pages, but TDC members only saw a 12-page presentation Thursday.
Pensacola Bay Center
A plan to spend $43 million, with $30 million coming from a bond issue by the TDT, was also presented.
The upgrades would modernize the aging facility and add more seating for events like concerts.
What’s next?
TDC member Jim Reeves made motion to approve a $90 million bond issue for the sports facility and Bay Center, but no vote was taken. A substitute motion by council members Mitesh Patel called for special meeting on both proposals.
The Escambia County Tourist Development Council makes recommendations for final decisions by the Board of County Commissioners.
NorthEscambia.com photos/graphics, click to enlarge.
Century Correctional Inmate Gets Life For 2021 Fatal Stabbing Of Another Inmate
August 30, 2024
A Century Correctional Institution inmate has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing another inmate in 2021.
Alex Vega, 26, was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury on Thursday. Circuit Court Judge Coleman Robinson subsequently imposed the life sentence.
The incident occurred on September 15, 2021, when Vega used a homemade weapon to attack and kill a fellow inmate at the correctional facility. At the time, Vega was already serving a 15-year sentence for attempted murder and other charges stemming from a 2018 Miami-Dade conviction in a 2015 case.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted the investigation, and Assistant State Attorney Alvin “Trey” Myers prosecuted the case on behalf of State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida.