Lutz Hits For Cycle In Wahoos Historic 17-1 Win
April 22, 2014
Donald Lutz hit for the first cycle in Blue Wahoos franchise history on a night where the team set records for runs (17) and hits (21) in a 17-1 win over the Jacksonville Suns at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Blue Wahoos also snapped a five-game losing streak in the process.
The Wahoos jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. Yorman Rodriguez launched the first of three Wahoos homers on the night, a two-run shot in the first inning. The game got carried away when Pensacola, already leading 6-1, plated five runs in the sixth inning to move in front 11-1. The Blue Wahoos went on to plate six more runs over the next two innings.
Besides Lutz, Wahoos starting pitcher Robert Stephenson (W, 2-1) also had a remarkable night with what he did on the mound and at the plate. Stephenson fanned seven while allowing just 1 R/ER over 5.0 innings, but he also went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI. He was one of three Wahoos to drive in three runs. The others were Rey Navarro (3-for-7, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI) and Juan Duran (2-for-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI). Everybody in the starting lineup collected at least one hit, and seven Wahoos starters had multi-hit games.
Lutz finished the game 5-for-6 with two doubles, two RBI, four runs scored, a triple and a mammoth solo home run in the cycle. He waited until his final at bat for the triple. With nobody out and a runner at first, he drove a ball off the wall in right-center field, and it caromed away from the Suns centerfield Isaac Galloway, allowing Lutz to coast into third for the third cycle of his career (other cycles: 7/21/11 w/Dayton, 7/10/09 w/ GCL Reds). He later scored to set the team record for runs in a game. The previous record was 16 scored on August 2, 2013 in Birmingham. That same game the Wahoos set the previous hit record with 17.
Stephenson ended up earning the win, his second, with Suns starter Angel Sanchez (L, 0-4) taking the loss. Sanchez was charged with 5R/4ER over 3.1 innings. He allowed seven hits, two walks with three strikeouts.
The Blue Wahoos look to stay hot and even the series on Tuesday against the Suns. Pensacola will send RHP Jon Moscot (0-1, 2.20) to the mound against Suns LHP Justin Nicolino (1-2, 3.38). First pitch from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville is set for 6:05 p.m. CT.
by Tommy Thrall
Sunday Night Shooting Under Investigation; Friday Night Victim’s Name Released
April 21, 2014
Today, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Sunday night shooting, just as they have released the name of a the victim in a Friday night incident.
At about 9:00 Sunday night, deputies responded to the 700 block of Smiley Avenue in reference to a shooting victim. The black male victim was found on a porch with apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital. His name and condition have not been released.
About 10:30 Friday night, deputies responded to the area of Edgewater Drive and Chaseville Stree to assist Florida Highway Patrol after a vehicle crashed into a wooden fence and a male driver, 27 year old Daishawn Willis, was found in the driver’s seat bleeding from the head. He was transported to a local hospital where he later passed away. Further details were not released.
Anyone with information on either incident should contact Crime Stoppers at (850) 436-STOP.
FWC Makes Major Changes To Deer Hunting In Northwest Florida
April 21, 2014
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has passed changes that divide the state’s Hunting Zone D (from Pensacola to Tallahassee) into two deer management units (DMUs), each with a unique set of antler-point requirements and antlerless deer harvest days.
These changes take effect during the 2014-15 hunting season and are part of a larger, statewide project aimed at managing deer on a more local level and providing stakeholders with a greater say in deer management.
The FWC conducted a public outreach and input process in northwest Florida beginning in early 2013. Since then, the Commission has received substantial input and comments from hunters, farmers and the general public regarding how they would like to see deer managed in the newly proposed DMUs.
As a result of this outreach process, the FWC passed rules for both public and private lands in both of the DMUs in Zone D, with Interstate 10 being the dividing line between the two DMUs. South of I-10 will be called DMU-D1, and north of I-10 is DMU-D2.
Now bucks harvested south of I-10 in DMU-D1 must have antlers with at least 2 points (each point having to be at least 1 inch long) on one side and at least one antler 5 inches or more in length.
North of I-10 in DMU-D2, the minimum antler requirement is now 3 points (each point having to be at least 1 inch long) on one side and have at least one antler 5 inches or more in length, or have an antler with a main beam length of 10 inches or more.
The rule includes an exception for youth to the increased antler requirements in both DMUs whereby hunters 15 years old and younger may continue to harvest bucks that have at least one antler 5 inches or more in length.
The Commission’s action also changes the antlerless deer season (“doe days”) on private lands within Zone D. During antlerless deer season, does may be harvested as well as bucks with less than 5-inch antlers. But it is illegal to take spotted fawns.
In DMU-D1 (south of I-10), the antlerless season was reduced to four days consisting of two popular holiday weekends (the weekends after Thanksgiving and Christmas).
In DMU-D2 (north of I-10), antlerless deer season was lengthened to eight days distributed across four weekends (Saturday-Sunday after Thanksgiving, first weekend of muzzleloading gun season, third weekend of general gun season and the weekend after Christmas).
The purpose of modifying the antlerless deer season was to spread out the hunting opportunity, so that more hunters could participate without reducing deer populations. These changes will be monitored to measure any impacts they may have on deer harvest and hunter satisfaction within each DMU.
MADD At Odds Over DUI Proposal
April 21, 2014
Mothers Against Drunk Driving is objecting to an abstinence-based proposal that would let judges order twice-daily breath tests instead of ignition interlock devices for repeat DUI offenders. But the head of the National Sheriffs’ Association says the “24/7 Sobriety” model is a better way of keeping drunken drivers off the road for good.
MADD National Director Jan Withers on Friday asked Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, to reject the plan, which was approved by a House committee last week and is known elsewhere as “24/7 Sobriety.”
“MADD believes that amendments allowing for twice a day testing or 24/7 sobriety programs are okay, but these programs should never replace the use of ignition interlock for a convicted drunk driver,” Withers wrote.
Instead, MADD wants Florida lawmakers to expand the use of the interlock devices, which keep vehicles from starting if a driver is drunk, to first-time offenders whose blood-alcohol content is above .08. Current state law requires the devices for second- and third-time offenders as well as for those with a blood-alcohol content of .15 or greater.
In a letter to Weatherford, Withers pointed out that 17,224 Florida residents were convicted in 2012 for driving with suspended licenses that were revoked because of previous DUIs, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
“MADD believes Florida needs … a new approach to handle persons arrested for drunk driving as license suspension alone is no longer practical,” Withers wrote. But on Thursday, Sheriff Mike Leidholt of Hughes County, S.D., wrote that he is “wholeheartedly in support” of the proposal (HB 7005), approved last week by the Florida House Economic Affairs Committee. The proposal would allow judges to place drivers with more than one DUI into a 24/7 program instead of or in addition to requiring interlock devices.
Leidholt, who is also president of the National Sheriffs’ Association, helped implement one of the nation’s first 24/7 sobriety programs, now in use statewide in South Dakota and two other states.
“Of all the wonderful programs that sheriffs are initiating, I have not seen one that is as successful in reducing recidivism, managing corrections populations, and reducing alcohol related crashes as the 24/7 Sobriety Program,” Leidholt wrote.
Interlock devices are now in use by more than 10,000 Florida drivers, and the industry generates about $10 million a year.
by The News Service of Florida
Summer Dance Workshop Offered At Byrneville Community Center
April 21, 2014
A Summer Dance Workshop will be offered at the Byrneville Community Center June 9-13.
Classes will be offered as follows:
- 8:30 – 9 am — Pre-ballet (ages 3-4)
- 9:15 – 10:15 am — Ballet I (ages 5-7)
- 10:30 – noon — Ballet II and Jazz (ages 8-10) 0-3 years dance experience
- 12:30 – 2 p.m. — Ballet III and Jazz (ages 9-teen) 4 or more years dance experience
Proper dancewear and dance shoes are required. An optional Summer Dance Workship t-shirt will be available for $15 at registration time. The registration deadline is June 2. Contact Heather Leonard’s Danceworks by email at hldanceworks@gmail.com or on Facebook.
Career Academies Recognized; EWMS Culinary Academy Takes Top Honor
April 21, 2014
The 2014 Career Academy Award winners from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties were recently presented, including the Middle School Career Academy of the Year award to Ernest Ward Middle School’s Culinary Arts Academy and the High School Career Academy of the Year award to West Florida High School’s Agriscience Technology Academy.
Middle School Career Academy of the Year
- Culinary Arts Academy, Ernest Ward Middle School (Kathy Ellis, Instructor)
- Microsoft I.T. Academy, Woodlawn Beach Middle School (Jennifer Hensley, Instructor)
Middle School Career Academy Student of the Year
- Elayza Agrabin, Arts, AV & Communications Academy, Bellview Middle School
- Jade Finch, Microsoft I.T. Academy, Hobbs Middle School
Middle School Career Academy Teacher of the Year
- Theresa Simmons, Arts, AV & Communications Academy, Bellview Middle School
- Randy Parazine, Microsoft I.T. Academy, Hobbs Middle School
High School Career Academy Student of the Year
- Angel Aldahondo, Engineering Academy, Escambia High School
- Dezmond Baldwin-Marlow, Sarah J. Ussary Law and Public Service Academy, Pensacola High School
- Abigail Harrison, Commercial Arts Academy, Jay High School
- Olivia Moore, Agriculture Academy, Jay High School
High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year
- Kathy Gilliland, New Media Academy, Pine Forest High School
- Monica Bondurant, Communications & Graphic Arts Academy, Pace High School
High School Career Academy of the Year
- Agriscience Technology Academy, West Florida High School (Paula Petsel, Instructor)
- Digital Multimedia Academy, Milton High School (Kim Smith, Instructor)
Career Academy Student Intern of the Year
- Aliya Eggleton, Criminal Justice Academy, West Florida High School
- Morgan Lundquist, Pharmacy Tech Academy, Locklin Technical Center
High School Career Academy Scholar of the Year
- Jennifer St. John, Engineering Academy, Escambia High School
- Margaret Linscott, Communications & Graphic Arts Academy, Pace High School
Pictured top and below: Ernest Ward Middle School Culinary Academy students hard at work. Pictured bottom: Enjoying EWMS Culinary Academy creations. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Flomaton FFA String Band, Floriculture Teams Place At Districts
April 21, 2014
The Flomaton High School FFA recently competed at a district competition in Enterprise, AL.
The Flomaton FFA string band placed fourth; members were Nik Shivers, Stone Lehmann, Jose Escobedo, and Logan Hendricks. The Floriculture team placed third and will compete at the state competition. Members of the Flomaton Floriculture team were Haley White, Kristin Fillmore, Toni Simmons and Tiffany Hardy.
Pictured top: (L-R) String band members Nik Shivers, Stone Lehmann, Jose Escobedo, and Logan Hendricks; Floriculture team members Haley White, Kristin Fillmore, Toni Simmons and Tiffany Hardy. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
There names are
listed in the order they are standing
Photos: Our Easter Egg Find
April 21, 2014
While hiding Easter eggs of the plastic variety around NorthEscambia.com Sunday, we made an Easter egg discovery. We found three mockingbird eggs in a nest nestled deep within the fronds of a sago palm. Hopefully, we’ll share baby bird pictures within a couple of weeks. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Suns Hand Wahoos Fifth Straight Loss
April 21, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied back from three runs down to tie the game at four in the top of the ninth Sunday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, only to have the Suns respond with the game-winning run in the bottom of the inning. The Wahoos have now dropped five straight. Rich Poythress singled home J.T. Realmuto from third with two outs in the ninth handing the Suns the 5-4 win. His game-winning hit marked the second day in a row Poythress has delivered a big hit against the Wahoos. He delivered a three-run home run on Saturday night.
Travis Mattair came up with a clutch two-out two-strike two-run double down the left field line to pull the Blue Wahoos within one in the top of the ninth. A batter later, Juan Duran’s infield single scored Yorman Rodriguez from third to even the game.
The Suns were in control early with three runs over the first five innings behind Marlins No. 1 prospect Andrew Heaney. Pensacola got to him for a run in the third when Rey Navarro singled home Brodie Greene, but the lefty retired the final 13 batters he faced. He was finished after 7.0 innings allowing just the 1R/ER while matching his career high with nine strikeouts.
Daniel Corcino started strong for Pensacola striking out the side in order to open the game. He then labored through his 4.2 innings. He walked and struck out five and surrendered 3R/ER on five hits. Drew Hayes took the loss allowing 2R/ER over 1.2 innings despite three strikeouts. Though he only faced and retired one batter in the top of the ninth, Greg Nappo earned the win for Jacksonville. The three game-tying runs were charged to Suns closer Nick Wittgren. He gave up 3R/ER on five hits in just 0.2 innings.
Navarro and Rodriguez led the Wahoos offensively with two-hit games in the losing effort.
Pensacola will look to get back in the win column on Monday with RHP Robert Stephenson (1-1, 5.56) on the mound against Suns RHP Angel Sanchez (0-3, 4.20). First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT from the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
Extension Service To Present ‘Tomatoes At Twilight’
April 21, 2014
Escambia County Extension, Santa Rosa County Extension and the University of Florida/IFAS Extension will present the “Tomatoes at Twilight” workshop next week.
The event is a workshop for farmers interested in learning about small farm tomato production. This hands-on workshop is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at Santa Rosa Extension, 4253 Extension Road, Highway 182 in Jay from 4-6 p.m.
Discussion topics will include:
- General tomato production
- High tunnel tomato production
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Water and nutrient management
- Disease Control
Registration for the workshop is $10 per person. To register visit twilight-tomatoes.eventbrit.com.
For more information, contact Libbie Johnson, Escambia County Extension at (850) 475-5230 or email libbiej@ufl.edu.