Blue Wahoos Celebrate Holiday Series Win Against Biscuits
July 4, 2024
Not even close.
Overcome with emotion hours earlier, after his mother surprised him by throwing a ceremonial first pitch – the first time in two years she was healthy enough to see him pitch – Roberts channeled a racing heart and ended the ninth inning on pop out to preserve the Blue Wahoos 4-3 win against the Montgomery Biscuits.
On this eve of Fourth of July, as the Blue Wahoos welcomed an overflow crowd that filled Blue Wahoos Stadium in every corner, the final moment before fireworks launched was the most memorable.
Roberts and his mother again embraced on the field, this time after Roberts was doused with a celebratory ice bath.
His mother and her boyfriend traveled from California – a trip that took 40 hours — to be with her son.
“Oh man, it’s amazing,” said Roberts, speaking to Blue Wahoos’ broadcaster Carter Bainbridge following the game. “I haven’t seen her in two years and (Wednesday) was the first time she was able to watch me play professionally. So it means a lot, so God bless, all glory to God and I’m just excited and hopefully they can come out and keep watching us play.”
His teammate Jacob Berry set up the joyous occasion in the bottom of the eighth.
After the Biscuits tied the game in the top of the eighth inning on a two-run blast by second baseman Tanner Murray, well beyond the left field, Berry led off the bottom of the inning for Pensacola.
He squared up a second-pitch cutter from reliever Nelson Alvarez and launched a moon shot deep into the sky, over the party deck areas in right field and out of the stadium.
It was Berry’s second, game-deciding home run in five days. Last Saturday, he delivered a three-run shot to give the Blue Wahoos a comeback win at Biloxi.
This one at home capped a night with so much festive activity. The list included eight different ceremonial first pitches.
A special pregame recognition and in-game presentation was held for iconic Pensacola sports personality Dan Shugart, whose final sportscast on WEAR-3 was a last Friday.
With all this going on, the Blue Wahoos win made the night complete.
They quickly got the crowd energized in the first inning by scoring two runs on one hit. Jakob Marsee and Berry both started the inning with walks. On a steal attempt, Biscuits pitcher Trevor Martin made an errant throw, followed by another errant throw from center fielder Mason Auer to score Marsee and send Berry to third.
Joe Mack’s double scored Berry.
The Blue Wahoos had only two hits in the game until Marsee’s seventh inning single scored Cody Morissette for a 3-1 lead.
Berry’s heroics led to Roberts getting ready in the bullpen.
“It’s just staying loose out there,” said Roberts, whose 14 saves lead the Southern League. “We have a lot of fun out there in the bullpen.”
In the pregame activities, Roberts’ mother hid near the visitors dugout during the previous ceremonial first pitches. Austin was then summoned for a final one. When he got to the plate and saw his mother going to the mound, he put his glove over his face, overcome with emotion.
The two then had a long hug before walking back together as the crowd cheered.
Blue Wahoos starter Jeff Lindgren then took over on the mound for the game and delivered five solid innings before Chandler Jozwiak, Matt Pushard and then Roberts followed.
Following the game, both teams left on busses to travel to Montgomery, Ala. for a three-game series at the Biscuits’ home ballpark, Riverwalk Stadium, through Saturday.
After that, all teams will get Sunday and Monday off, before the schedule resumes with the Blue Wahoos playing a six-game series in Huntsville, Ala. against the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
GAME NOTABLES
— The sold-out crowd of 5,038 was the Blue Wahoos 19th sellout in 42 home games. ,
— Wednesday’s game was also the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity outing with a group outing of 250.
— The Blue Wahoos played a special tribute to Dan Shugart from team owner Quint Studer, which aired on Shugart’s final broadcast last week. He was presented a customized decorated rocking chair in Blue Wahoos design.
— There will now be a 16-day gap between home games, the longest in franchise history. The combination of the Fourth of July schedule, a road trip to Rocket City, followed by the Major League Baseball All-Star Break that includes all Minor League Baseball levels as well, is the combination for the extended gap.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Blue Wahoos at Montgomery Biscuits
WHEN: Thursday Thru Saturday. Game Times are 6:35 p.m on Thursday-Friday, 6:05 p.m. on Saturday
WHERE: Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery, Ala.
Fireworks Are Terrifying For Pets. Here Are Some Tips To Help.
July 4, 2024
Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of fireworks with celebration. As a result, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress for some pets. Unexpected behavior may be displayed by your pet while trying to escape from the loud noises including jumping a fence to find safety, running away or “flight from fright,” destruction of yard or household items and biting.
Here are some quick tips from the Escambia County Department of Animal Welfare:
- Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
- Do not leave your pet in the car while you watch a fireworks display. In only a matter of minutes, the heat in a car can cause serious health problems or even death. A stressed animal can also cause major damage to the interior of your car.
- Be mindful of hot asphalt and sand. Keeping your dog on hot asphalt or sand even for short periods of time can cause severe burns to the pads of their feet.
- Keep pets indoors. Turn on the TV or radio as a distraction and close the curtains.
- Never leave pets unattended outside, not even in a fenced yard or on a chain, if you are near a fireworks display or if your neighbors are lighting small fireworks. They may try to run away or become tangled up in their chain.
- Provide a pet bed or crate in a quiet place to create a small den-like atmosphere and a sense of security.
- If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
- Make sure your pet has proper identification tags with current information in case they run away.
- If your pet often becomes stressed during periods of loud noise like thunderstorms, check with your veterinarian to see if a tranquilizer is appropriate for your pet.
“Unlike people, pets don’t associate the noise, flashes and burning smell of fireworks with celebration,” said Animal Welfare Director John Robinson. “As a result, fireworks can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for some pets. We encourage you to also contact your veterinarian for additional solutions to pet anxiety. Following these tips will help keep your pets safe during the holiday.”
If your pet runs away, please check 24PetConnect.com under the “I Lost A Pet” section. The Animal Welfare and Adoption Center, located at 200 W. Fairfield Drive, is open Monday-Friday from 12-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Century To Outsource Natural Gas Superintendent Duties To Pensacola Energy
July 3, 2024
“If you had an emergency, no one is able to respond at this moment,” Century Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. said about any potential natural gas emergency in the town. “No one is able to respond. If it’s a big enough emergency that is beyond the capacity of one of our employees.”
The town does not currently have a superintendent for its natural gas department, but the town council took steps toward rectifying that problem at a Tuesday night meeting.
The council voted to enter into an agreement with Pensacola Energy, which is owned by the City of Pensacola, to provide interim natural gas superintendent services on a temporary basis at a rate up to $75 an hour plus travel expenses. The council’s approved motion gave Gomez the authority to negotiate and execute the agreement with Pensacola Energy but did not require him to present the final agreement to the council for final approval.
According to the town, Century has not had a qualified gas superintendent for “many years”. They previously retained a company called City Services to oversee paperwork and compliance issues.
The council also approved job description to move forward and hire a full-time gas superintendent at $28 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Cost of 4th Of July Cookout Reaches Record High, Farm Bureau Says
July 3, 2024
Families celebrating the 4th of July holiday will continue to find stubbornly high prices at the grocery store. An Independence Day cookout will cost $71.22 for 10 guests this year, based on the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey.
The grocery bill is up 5% from 2023, and almost 30% from just five years ago. A $7.12 per-person cost represents a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
“Higher prices at the grocery store reflect a number of challenges facing America’s families. Lower availability of some cookout staples and inflation are hitting people in their wallets,” said AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan. “Farmers are also feeling the effects of high prices. They’re price takers, not price makers. Their share of the retail food dollar is just 15%, but they still pay elevated fuel, fertilizer and other supply prices.”
The marketbasket survey shows a year-to-year double-digit increase in the cost of beef and lemonade, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts and potato salad.
The retail price for two pounds of ground beef increased 11% to $12.77. Lemonade will cost $4.19, up 12% from 2023. Several factors influence these increases, which reflect the sort of challenges farmers face on a regular basis. Drought conditions in recent years forced ranchers to sell many of their cattle early last year, reducing the amount of beef available for the summer grilling season. Higher lemon prices can be attributed to citrus greening, which has spread to California after devastating Florida’s citrus industry.
Our survey found two exceptions to the price increases. Chicken is down 4% from last year, at $7.83 for two pounds. Potato salad is also 4% less expensive than last year, at $3.32. Chicken supplies have stabilized, and potato crops have recovered from the previous year’s poor weather.
Although historically high at $7.12 per person, when put in a global context, Americans dedicate a smaller percentage of their spending to food than any other country.
Volunteer shoppers across the country, including Farm Bureau members and others, collected data from stores in every state and Puerto Rico.
Individual Prices, AFBF 2024 Summer Cookout
- 2 pounds of ground beef, $12.77 (+11%)
- 2 pounds of chicken breasts, $7.83 (-4%)
- 3 pounds of pork chops, $15.49 (+8%)
- 1 pound of cheese, $3.57 (+1%)
- 1 package of hamburger buns, $2.41 (+7%)
- 2 ½ pounds of homemade potato salad, $3.32 (-4%)
- 32 ounces of pork and beans, $2.49 (+2%)
- 16 ounces of potato chips, $4.90 (+8%)
- 13-ounce package of chocolate chip cookies, $3.99 (+2%)
- ½ gallon of ice cream, $5.65 (+7%)
- 2 pints of strawberries, $4.61 (+1%)
- 2 ½ quarts of lemonade, $4.19 (+12%)
Rabid Fox Bites Atmore Woman Unloading Her Groceries
July 3, 2024
The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued a public warning after a rabid fox bit a woman.
“An older Atmore resident was returning from grocery shopping and unloading her vehicle. While holding a loaf of bread in hand, seemingly from out of nowhere, she was attacked and bitten by a fox,” Dr. Dee W. Jones, State Public Health veterinarian, said.
The fox was taken to the Alabama Department of Public Health Bureau of Clinical Laboratories where it was confirmed positive for rabies. Rabies is a viral disease that can be fatal if untreated.
“Although rabies is primarily found in wild animals since widespread vaccination of domestic animals began over 70 years ago, it continues to be a public health threat,” Jones said. “Although attacks such as this by rabid wildlife are rather uncommon, it highlights the risk rabies continues poses and hopefully reminds people to be aware of the risks and continue to vaccinate their pets.”
Alabama state law requires that dogs, cats and ferrets 12 weeks of age and older be current with rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccines are also available for horses and other livestock if recommended by a veterinarian. Vaccinating animals reduces the risk of rabies infection should exposure occur; thus, vaccinations protect animals, as well as their owners and caretakers, officials said.
In addition to vaccination, area residents are advised by the health department to take the following precautions to avoid possible exposures to rabies:
- Do not allow pets to run loose; confine within a fenced-in area or with a leash.
- Do not leave uneaten pet food or scraps near your residence.
- Do not illegally feed or keep wildlife as pets.
- Do not go near wildlife or domestic animals that are acting in a strange or unusual manner.
- Caution children not to go near any stray or wild animal, regardless of its behavior.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
Molino 15U Boys Win Tri-County Tournament
July 3, 2024
The Molino 15U boys won the championship in the recent Tri-County Tournament. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Get Behind Early, Struggle At Plate As Biscuits Tie Series
July 3, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
M.D. Johnson has been the Blue Wahoos’ consistent staple on the mound this season at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
That connection slipped on this night, setting a tone for an overall tough night in the Blue Wahoos’ 6-1 loss against the Montgomery Biscuits on a “Doggone Tuesday” at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Johnson (3-5), who had allowed just three runs in his last four home starts, sustained his shortest home start, lasting only three innings and giving up four runs from five walks, as the Biscuits jumped to a big lead. All three of his wins this year have been at home.
A crowd of 4,244, which included a big turnout of youth baseball players, who are in town participating in the United States Specialty Sports (USSSA) tournament at two local baseball field complexes, watched the Biscuits even the series on their pitching strength.
The Blue Wahoos did not have multiple baserunners until the ninth inning.
And even that part ended quietly.
After Jakob Marsee, Paul McIntosh and Joe Mack all reached on walks to load the bases with none out, Biscuits reliever Alfredo Zarraga struck out the next three batters in succession. He ended the game by getting Nathan Martorella to swing and miss on a high 3-2 fastball.
The Blue Wahoos got their only run in the fourth inning when Mack hit a one-out double, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Diego Infante’s RBI ground out.
The next Blue Wahoos hit was Harrison Spohn’s lead off double in the sixth inning. That was also the Blue Wahoos’ last of four hits in the game.
Montgomery made ballpark history in the top of the ninth when Matthew Dyer stole home – the first time in this ballpark’s 12-year history that any player had achieved a straight steal of home. It was followed by teammate Chandler Simpson scoring on a throwing error by reliever Tyler Eckberg.
The Blue Wahoos have a second chance to win the series in Wednesday’s deciding game of the three-game set at 6:05 p.m. Jeff Lindgren (0-0, 5.79), who first pitched for the Blue Wahoos in 2021 and rejoined the team last week from Triple-A Jacksonville, will be on the mound against Montgomery’s Trevor Martin (0-0, 3.60).
Lindgren began the season with the Blue Wahoos and pitched in five games.
This will be the Blue Wahoos’ Fourth of July themed game with a variety of activities planned, followed by the fireworks display to patriotic music. The two teams will then bus to Montgomery following the game to prepare to Thursday’s July 4 game at Riverwalk Stadium, which starts a three-game series there.
GAME NOTABLES
— More than 600 youth players, their parents and family attended Tuesday’s game on the first day of the USSSA Pensacola Beach Global World Series being held at the Santa Rosa Sportsplex in Pace and the NEP Sports Complex off Nine Mile Round.
The age division categories in the tournament which runs through Sunday are 13-under, 12-under and 10-under and the teams are from eight states – Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Indiana. The teams participated in an opening ceremony style parade before the game.
— Earlier Tuesday, the Blue Wahoos players met with Naval Air Station-Pensacola base commander Capt. Terrence Shashaty, who returned this year to present Navy “call signs” to the players – the military version of nicknames. The group met in the season-ticket lounge in early afternoon to have a fun moment selecting names.
— The Pensacola Roller Gurlz, a roller derby team, greeted fans on the concourse and had table display at the game.
— Even with the hot, humid conditions, many fans took advantage of the opportunity to bring their dogs to the game and there were water bowls placed throughout the concourse for the pups.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
No Serious Injuries In Highway 29, Archer Road Crash
July 2, 2024
There were no serious injuries reported in a two vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon at Archer Road and Highway 29 southbound.
The crash left one vehicle on its roof.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details.
The Cantonment Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded.
NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photo by James Chastang, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Involved In SWAT Standoff Had A Child In The Home, ECSO Says
July 2, 2024
We are learning more about what happened at a Walnut Hill home Sunday that led to a standoff and large law enforcement response, including the SWAT team and negotiators, as a man allegedly refused to exit the home or release a child.
John Edward McDowell, 48, was taken into custody after the four to five hour standoff. He eventually exited the home and was arrested without incident on Alabama warrants, including violation of probation and two warrants for failure to appear. He was booked into the Escambia County (FL) Jail in Pensacola to await extradition back to Alabama and charged with interfering with the custody of a minor.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office received a call from McDowell’s ex-girlfriend, who said when she left the residence, McDowell would not let her take her son, according to an ECSO report. She also said the child had been staying with him for about a week.
The ex-girlfriend told deputies that McDowell was not the child’s biological father but was “wat trying to make things work because McDowell was like a father figure” to the child, the report states.
The report indicates the mother said McDowell has a firearm on him at time and is mentally unstable, and that is why she left without the child before calling for help.
Deputies arrived at the home on Highway 97 north of Wiggins Lake Road and gave loud verbal commands over a public address system for McDowell surrender. The ECSO said he refused to answer the door and would not release the child from the residence.
Because McDowell was barricaded inside the residence, the ECSO SWAT team responded, along with a command vehicle and other resources.
Hours later, he surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. His arrest report does not indicate when the child was released of if he actually had a firearm during the incident.
There were no shots fired and no injuries reported, according to the sheriff’s office.
Pictured above and below: This home on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, seen on Monday, was the site of a law enforcement standoff and SWAT team response on Sunday. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Man Dies After Being Found In The Bottom Of Gonzalez Pool
July 2, 2024
A man died after being found at the bottom of a pool near Gonzalez Saturday night.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported drowning at about 8 p.m. Saturday during a pool party at a residence in the 000 block of Flemming Drive.
Deputies said an unknown age male fell into the pool and was still at the bottom when they arrived. They said he had a pulse after CPR but was transported to the hospital where he later died.
His name was not released.
ECSO said foul play is not suspected in the incident.