10U Storm Wins Seven-Team Louisiana Baseball Tournament
May 14, 2013
The Pensacola Storm 10U Majors baseball team won a weekend tournament in Chalmette, LA.
With a dramatic come from behind victory against Moss Point (MS) Team Elite with two outs in the last inning, the Pensacola Storm rolled into the championship game against the undefeated local area Slidell Scrappers team. The Storm ran up five runs in the first inning and continued that momentum to a 6-2 first place win in the seven team tournament.
With the win, the Pensacola Storm team is 31-11 overall with six first place tournament victories out of 11 USSSA tournaments this season. The Pensacola Storm will travel to the Alabama Super NIT Tournament against some of the nation’s top teams this Friday in Auburn.
Pictured: (bottom row, L-R) Jaxon Topel, Trenton Norton, Tanner Rouchon, Josh Turner, Aaron Noack, (top row) Damarius McGhee, Ian Ladieu, Jackson Penton, Hunter Pierson, Jordan Peacock, Jordan Jarman and Jordan McCants. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Santa Rosa Breaks Ground On $1.23 Million Arena
May 14, 2013
Santa Rosa County broke ground Monday morning on a new $1.23 million arena in East Milton.
Once completed, the June Ates Arena, named after a local horse enthusiast, will provide a venue for a wide variety of community and outdoor events. Construction on the 61,500 square foot arena is expected to be complete in late September. The project cost is estimated at $1.23 million from District 2 recreational funds.
The June Ates Arena will be located at 8690 Bobby Brown Road in East Milton
Wahoos Snap Skid, Beat Lookouts 5-1
May 14, 2013
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos scored three runs in the first inning, which was more than enough against the Chattanooga Lookouts as the Wahoos snapped their five-game losing streak with a 5-1 on Monday night in front of 3,629 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Pensacola welcomed two major league rehabbers for the first time in the team’s history and both played just one inning. Manny Parra got the start and gave up a double in the first inning while striking out two. He threw 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. Chris Heisey was involved in two plays in center field in the first inning. He was lifted from the game after the top half of the first for unannounced reasons.
The Wahoos backed up their Major League guests with three early runs, one coming on an RBI single from Travis Mattair and two more coming on a single from Tucker Barnhart.
Ryan Dennick (2-2) took over on the mound for the Wahoos and cruised through his piggyback start, limiting the Lookouts to just two base hits over six frames. Dennick earned the win for the first time since Opening Day.
Pensacola added to its lead with a fourth-inning RBI single from Bryson Smith and an eighth-inning RBI single from David Vidal.
The Lookouts lone run came in the ninth inning as Chris Jacobs doubled home C.J. Retherford with two outs. Loek Van Mil retired Griff Erickson to finish off the game.
The five-game series continues tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Daniel Renken (1-3, 3.67) will get the ball for the Blue Wahoos against the Lookouts’ Andres Santiago (2-4, 4.19).
story by Kevin Burke
Pictured: The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Chattanooga Lookouts Monday night. Photos by Gary McCraken for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia Sheriff’s Office Holds Leadership Academy
May 13, 2013
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is hosting the Florida Leadership Academy at the agency’s new training facility on Leonard Street.
The Florida Leadership Academy began in 2003 and has graduated 26 classes. The (FLA) is designed to provide current first-line supervisors with the knowledge and skill necessary to become efficient first-rate leaders in today’s criminal justice environment. Participants include sworn and non-sworn employees from various law enforcement and correctional agencies.
The FLA meets for one week per month for a total of four consecutive months and covers topics such as leadership, management, communication, professionalism, ethics, legal issues, decision making and stress awareness. FLA class 27 kicked off last week at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and will conclude in August.
Pictured: A training area inside the Escambia County Sheriff’s Video Visitation and and Training Facility near the Escambia County Jail on Leonard Street. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
FHP Seeks Info In Two Motorcycle Hit And Run Accidents
May 13, 2013
The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to search for vehicles involved in two hit and run accidents that left motorcyclists injured in North Escambia.
Molino Hit and Run
On April 8, a 72-year old motorcyclist was seriously injured in a hit and run accident in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Bruce Winsor of Pensacola and the pickup that fled the scene were both traveling northbound on Highway 97 near Gibson Road about 7:30 p.m. Winsor was traveling two to three car lengths behind the pickup and one of the witnesses when he changed lanes and attempted to pass the vehicles in front of him. At that time, the pickup slowed and began to turn onto Gibson Road. The front of Winsor’s Honda 1300 motorcycle struck the rear quarter panel of the pickup.
The pickup truck driver allegedly stopped, looked at the wrecked motorcycle and then fled the scene on Gibson Road.
There were three witnesses to the crash, according to FHP Lt. Steve Preston. They were not able to provide a positive vehicle description, but the FHP did develop a possible tag number. The pickup was located but did not have damage consistent with the accident. In addition, the pickup driver was included in a photo lineup presented to the witnesses, but he was not identified as the person involved in the accident.
Cantonment Hit And Run
A motorcyclist was injured in a February 7 hit and run on n Highway 29 southbound at Morris Avenue in Cantonment. The motorcycle driver was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Witnesses told authorities that an older model blue station wagon with wood grain panels was involved in the crash but fled the scene. The station wagon rear-ended the motorcycle, pushing it into a pickup.
Prestoon said the FHP has been unable to located the station wagon, described as being a mid 1990’s model with wood grain side panels and front end damage. The vehicle was last seen on Morris Avenue.
Have info that might help?
Anyone with information on either accident is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000 ext. 103 or their local law enforcement agency.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Easy Returns: Molino Library Gets Book Drop
May 13, 2013
Returning books at the new Molino Branch Library has become a little more convenient. The library, which opened April 1, now has a 24/7 book return located on the sidewalk at the northwest corner of the building on Highway 95A. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Recycle That Old Fridge Or Freezer, Get $35
May 13, 2013
Gulf Power Company residential customers who recycle an outdated refrigerator or freezer can get a $35 incentive check and be eligible to win one of two $250 gift cards now through June 30.
During the three-month “Recycle and Win” contest, Gulf Power residential customers can receive complimentary home pickup of their old inefficient refrigerator or freezer, receive a $35 incentive check and automatically be entered in a drawing to win one of two $250 prepaid debit cards, good anywhere, especially toward the purchase of any ENERGY STAR® product.
Turned-in appliances are sent to a recycling facility operated by JACO Environmental, a leading, national provider of appliance recycling services. JACO will be giving away the VISA® gift cards.
“If you’re looking for a cost-saving, energy-saving and space-saving way to jump start your spring cleaning, it doesn’t get much better than this,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson.
Any Gulf Power residential customer can enter the drawing by recycling a refrigerator or freezer by calling 1-855-559-2523, or by visiting gulfpower.com/residential/fridgerecycle. Labor and transportation are provided free of charge to all customers.
Recycling refrigerators and freezers creates numerous benefits for utility customers and the environment. Program participants can save as much as $150 a year through lower electricity costs by having an older refrigerator or freezer hauled away. Recycling a single unit also repurposes more than 188 pounds of materials, such as foam, glass and metal for future use.
Local Students Shine At Sunshine Math Competition (With Photo Gallery)
May 13, 2013
Almost 600 third, fourth and fifth grade students from almost every Escambia County elementary school took part in the annual Sunshine Math Competition at the University of West Florida Field House.
For photos of the Bratt, Byrneville, Jim Allen and Molino Park teams, click here.
Teams and winners from North Escambia area schools included:
BRATT ELEMENTARY
3rd Grade Team 1:
Anna Adams, John Bashore, Shelby Cotita
3rd Grade Team 2:
Davis, Sarah Hetrick, Mia Starns
4th Grade Team 1:
Savannah Doremus, Hannah Hughes, Tyler Cloud Ray
4th Grade Team 2:
2nd Place Overall
Makayla Garrett, Shelby Godwin, April Johnson, Mary Paige Nassar
5th Grade Team 1:
Cassidy Boutwell, Neionni Findley, Cassandra Mullins, Adam Peterson
5th Grade Team 2:
Sheyenne Dillon, Anna King, Savannah Spence, Bailey Van Pelt
BYRNEVILLE ELEMENTARY
3rd Grade Team 1
David Ward, Harley Walker, Dillon Spears, Torka Mills
4th Grade Team 1
Ty Rolin, Logan Bryan, Maille Kilcrease, Abigail Levins
5th Grade Team 1
Savannah Steadham, Oliva Watson, Nicky Trump, Lea Nall
5th Grade Team 2
Alex Glidewell, Ian Gifford, Madicyn Bell, Cloe Smith
JIM ALLEN ELEMENTARY
3rd Grade Team 1
Christian Meadows, Alyssa Daniels, Jaxson Stafford, Jack Dortch
3rd Grade Team 2
Christian Riley, Kaleb Rudd
4th Grade Team 1
Kaelin Brinker, Dawson Butalla, Jessica Conti, Garrett Leggett
4th Grade Team 2
Andrew Robinson, Charlie Wine, Joshua Coonrod, Jonas Johnson
5th Grade Team 1
Jacob Leger, Katie Bryant, Jonathan Hamilton, Christian Wood
5th Grade Team 2
Ravyn Brown, Annie Cartwright, Austin Skipper, Izzy Kent
Individual Winners: Christian Meadows, 3rd place in3rd grade.
MOLINO PARK ELEMENTARY
3rd Grade Team 1
3rd Place Overall
Jaden Lewis, Clay Kittrell, Aden Fennell, Sarah Sconiers
3rd Grade Team 2
1st Place Overall
Kay-Lee Bradley, Reagan Daniels, Melody Patterson, Kileigh Lundy
4th Grade Team 1
Bryce Korinchak, Nathan Dansforth, Justin Miller, Leia Grantham
4th Grade Team 2
Clay Smith, Caden Woodward, Parker Hassebrock, C.J. Bulllington
5th Grade Team 1
Jacob Hawkins, Alexa Schlobohm, Micah Calhoun, Braden Boutwell
Tate ‘Cantus’ Chorus Shines At Performance Assessment
May 13, 2013
The ladies from J.M. Tate High School “Cantus” Chorus traveled to Tallahassee recently to participate in the “Florida Vocal Association State Music Performance Assessment”.
Only choirs who earned a superior rating at the district level MPA were qualified to attend this event. After many long rehearsals, careful listening and fine tuning, they delivered an outstanding and emotional performance that drew the attention of many audience members as well as other choirs and directors from around the state including the Florida Vocal Association Executive Director Mark Scott. Scott personally expressed how impressed he was with how Escambia County had been represented.
The choir is under the direction of Cynthia Domulot.
Wahoos Fall In Series Opener With Lookouts
May 13, 2013
The Chattanooga Lookouts broke out to a 4-0 lead and never trailed in a 10-4 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Sunday night in front of 4,421 fans at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It was the Wahoos’ fifth straight loss, tying a season high.
The Lookouts were in control from the onset, scoring in the first frame on a fielder’s choice from Blake Smith. They would add to their lead in the third with three two-out runs. Smith doubled home a run and scored on a two-run homer from Chris Jacobs that made it 4-0.
Pensacola battled back in the last of the third, scoring three runs with two outs. Ryan LaMarre sparked the attack with a solo homer, his second of the season. After back-to-back walks, Travis Mattair doubled to right-center to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Lookouts would get a run right back, however, as former Blue Wahoo Miguel Rojas launched his first homer of the year leading off the fourth to make it 5-3.
The Wahoos had numerous chances to get back in the game against an erratic Chattanooga pitching staff, but could never get the tying run across. In the fifth, Pensacola had the bases loaded and one out before Danny Vicioso grounded into an inning-ending double play. In the sixth, Brodie Greene cut the Lookouts’ lead to 5-4 with a one-out double but he was stranded at third as the tying run. Two innings later, Greene doubled with one out but he was caught stealing when he was hung up between second and third on a ball in the dirt.
That play changed the momentum as Chattanooga put the game out of reach with a five-run ninth inning. C.J. Retherford provided the biggest blow with a three-run pinch-hit double to make it 8-4 followed by Jan Vazquez providing the exclamation point with a two-run homer off the videoboard in right field to account for the final margin.
Chad Rogers (2-2) was charged with the loss in his roughest outing of the year, yielding five runs on eight hits in five innings.
Pensacola wasn’t able to fully capitalize on nine base hits and 10 walks issued from Chattanooga pitching as the Wahoos tied a season-high with 12 runners left on base. Michael Thomas (1-0) was given the win in relief by firing 2.1 scoreless frames and striking out four.
The five-game series continues on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. It will be a battle of southpaws as Ryan Dennick (1-2, 3.44) goes for Pensacola against Chattanooga’s Chris Reed (1-3, 5.02).
story by Kevin Burke
Pictured: Ryan LaMarre led the Pensacola attack by going 3-for-3 with a homer and an RBI. (Christopher Nelson)