Wahoos Explode in Extras, Win Sixth Straight
July 14, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
It took 11 innings, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos extended their winning streak to a season-high six games with a 7-3 win over the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Saturday night.
The Blue Wahoos scored two runs in the tenth and four more in the eleventh to remain undefeated in extra-inning games, improving to a perfect 7-0 when playing beyond regulation.
The game began as a pitchers’ duel, as Rocket City’s Sam Bachman twirled 7.0 shutout innings and Pensacola’s Tristan Stevens countered with 6.0 innings of one-run ball.
On the strength of an Eric Wagaman RBI fielder’s choice in the sixth inning, Rocket City held a 1-0 lead until the eighth. Jakob Marsee began the inning with a single off reliever Eric Torres, then advanced to second before stealing third and scoring on a wild pitch to tie the game 1-1.
Anderson Pilar and Matt Pushard contributed scoreless relief for the Blue Wahoos to send the game to extras, where the Blue Wahoos immediately capitalized to take their first lead. Dalvy Rosario sent an infield chopper to first base, but an errant throw allowed a run to score. Marsee followed with an RBI single to bring home Rosario, putting the Blue Wahoos ahead 3-1.
On for the save, new arrival Woo-Suk Go (W, 1-0) struggled to protect the Pensacola lead. The reliever allowed an RBI double to Nelson Rada and a game-tying squeeze bunt to Mac McCroskey, but dug deep and struck out back-to-back batters with the winning run at second base to send the game to the 11th.
The Pensacola offense wasted no time in reclaiming the lead, as Rosario singled home the go-ahead run off reliever Brady Choban (L, 1-2). Marsee added a sacrifice fly before pinch-hitter Diego Infante singled home two more for a four-run inning and a 7-3 lead. Tyler Eckberg quickly dispatched the Trash Pandas in the bottom half to seal the sixth consecutive Blue Wahoos win.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Trash Pandas on Sunday. First pitch from Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
Panhandle Dynasty 7U Wins World Series
July 14, 2024
Panhandle Dynasty 7U recently won the 2024 World Series. The champions went undefeated over four days of baseball. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Angels Hold Friday Dress Rehearsal (With Saturday Air Show Schedule)
July 13, 2024
Crowds attended Friday’s dress rehearsal at Pensacola Beach.
For a photo gallery from Friday, click here.
The official Pensacola Beach Air Show is Saturday. Here is the schedule:
Prior to the official waivered air space closure signaling the start of the air show on Friday and Saturday, expect to see the following aircraft overhead, announced by radio personality Rob Williams:
- Pilot Julian MacQueen flying his vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon seaplane overhead.
- Pilot Sheldon Heatherington will be flying his Zenith 75 STOL aircraft named Redbird.
- Navy pilot Tanner Matheny will be flying over in his 1946 North American Navion airplane named Olivia.
- U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) demonstration from the back of a HH-60J Blackhawk helicopter.
- Local wing of the Commemorative Air Force flying WWII and Korean War-era trainer and liaison aircraft.
- Then, at 11:45 a.m., spectators will be cleared from the Gulf waters and the official air space waiver begins.
The show begins precisely at noon with presentation of the colors by the Red Bull Team parachutists jumping from Aaron Fitzgerald’s helicopter over show center, followed by a brief teaser of what’s to come from the Red Bull Air Force team and Kevin Coleman later in the show. The Red Bull Air Force team is assembled from the most accomplished aviation experts on the planet who continually push the limits of human flight.
The Veterans Flight team takes the stage at 12:13 p.m. in their bright yellow, vintage World War II-era biplanes and possibly other WWII vintage aircraft. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, around a dozen Stearman pilots from all over the Southeast are flying in the show to pay tribute to all WWII and Korean War vets.
Next up at 12:28 p.m. is a newcomer to the air show, the incredible wingwalker Carol Pilon and the Third Strike Wingwalking team. Pilon is the first, and only, woman to walk on a jet-propelled aircraft. Expect to see Pilon traveling atop a bright red, vintage Stearman biplane with lots of billowing smoke.
At 12:39 p.m., keep your eyes peeled as Redline Aerobatic Team pilots Ken Rieder, Adam Baker, and making his inaugural debut at this air show, Austin Rieder, Ken’s son, perform some exceptional formation aerobatics.
Then, at 12:54 p.m., hang onto your hat as pilot Skip Stewart wows the crowds next with his high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers from his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus. Don’t miss his signature inverted ribbon-cutting pass over the Pensacola Beach Pier.
Next up, at 1:06 p.m., Patty Wagstaff, the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic champion and a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, will wow the crowds over Pensacola Beach in her Extra 330 aircraft. Her breathtaking performances give airshow spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of hard-core aerobatics.
The Red Bull Air Force Team with Kevin Coleman and Aaron Fitgerald are back with a full act at 1:21 p.m., creating a visual spectacle like no other. The trio will perform a joint aerial demonstration that will last 25 minutes.
As always, closing out the show at 2 p.m. will be your U.S. Navy Flight Demonstrations Squadron, the Blue Angels. Look to the Gulf horizon as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.
For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the Blues’ aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 78 years.
Pilot and Announcer Rob Reider will be the voice of the Pensacola Beach Air Show this year and Paul Entrekin, a retired Marine Corps aviator and former full-time air show pilot performer, will mark his 31st year as the Air Boss over the show.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.
Florida Announces ‘Free State of Florida’ Placed on All Welcome Signs
July 13, 2024
Motorists entering the state are now greeted by new “Welcome to the Free State of Florida” signs.
Last week, we told you about “Hurry Back to the Free State of Florida The Sunshine State” signs that drivers see when they travel out of Florida into Alabama or Georgia.
Now, the Florida Department of Transportation has also placed “Free State of Florida” has been placed on all welcome signs offering a welcome to visitors as they enter the on major state roadways.
“The new signage now features messages highlighting Florida’s status as a top tourist destination, including ‘Hurry Back’ signs that pay homage to the historic mid-century welcome centers, FDOT said.
Pictured above and below: “Free State of Florida” signs on Highway 97 at the Florida-Alabama state line in Davisville, just south of Atmore. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia County Public Schools Soliciting Public Input for Wellness Initiatives
July 13, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools is reviewing its wellness initiatives and is looking for input from district staff members along with members of the community.
A wellness policy’s intent is to promote healthy choices, prevent childhood obesity and to combat the challenges children face if they have poor nutritional habits or not enough activity. A federal law requires each school district participating in the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program to maintain a local wellness policy.
“While the input is being gathered by the Food Services Department, we work with a variety of school district specialists to ensure the policy covers all aspects of student wellness while on campus,” said the district’s Jaleena Davis. “We try our best to look at this program from a team perspective.”
The school district also maintains a School Health and Wellness Advisory Committee (SHWAC) chaired by Dr. Maureen Padden, as well as School Wellness Teams.
If an individual would like to be involved at the district level, they should contact Martha Hanna at (850) 469-5456, or by email at mhanna@ecsdfl.us.
If a member of the community wants to get involved on a School Wellness Team, they are asked to call (850) 316-3962 or email csutherland@ecsdfl.us.
Over 21,000 Ballots Mailed For August Primary, Not All Escambia Voters Eligible
July 13, 2024
Over 21,000 ballots for the August 2024 Primary Election were mailed to voters Friday, according to Supervisor of Elections Robert D. Bender. Ballots for military and overseas voters were sent on July 3. With postage increasing on Sunday, July 14, elections staff worked tirelessly over the last week to ensure these ballots would be in the mail this week.
To request a vote-by-mail ballot, visit EscambiaVotes.gov/vote-by-mail or call (850) 595-3900. The request deadline is August 8. Due to a change in Florida law, all vote-by-mail requests were cleared December 31, 2022, and you must renew your vote-by-mail request each election cycle. Visit EscambiaVotes.gov/am-i-registered to see if you have a vote-by-mail request on file or to check your registration status.
All registered Republican and Democratic voters are eligible to vote in at least one contest due to their U.S. Senate primary. As a result of Florida’s closed primary system and Escambia County’s single-member districts, Bender said not all registered voters in Escambia County are eligible to receive a ballot in the 2024 primary election. Voters in County Commission District 2 precincts with no party affiliation or those registered in a minor party are impacted. This means nearly 9,500 of Escambia County’s 206,000 registered voters in the following precincts will not be issued a ballot in precincts
- 1, 3, 15, 24, 32, 54, 61, 67, 71, 75, 77, 80, 82, 83, 99, and 104.
The deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation before the August 20 Primary Election is July 22.
Early Voting will begin on August 10 and run through August 17 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at 10 area locations. A
Pictured: Vote-by-mail ballots were mailed Friday to over 21,000 Escambia County voters. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stamp Prices Increase Again This Weekend. This Is How Much First-Class Will Cost.
July 13, 2024
A first-class stamp will increase on Sunday, July 14.
A forever stamp will cost 73 cents as of Sunday, up a nickel over the current 68-cent price.
A forever stamp purchase before Sunday will still be valid “forever” and can be used after the price increase.
It is the second increase of the year. In January 2024, first class stamps increase from 66 cents to 68 cents.
Showstoppers 8U Wins Softball National Championship
July 13, 2024
The Showstoppers 8U softball team went undefeated to win the 2024 USSA National Championship in Gulf Shores this week.
Several players were honored for their outstanding performance:
Offensive Player of the Game: Cami Flynn
Defensive Player of the Game: Hensley Parkerson
MVP Pitcher: Ember Polk
Tournament MVP: Elouise Wade
Tournament scores were as follows:
Game 1: Showstoppers vs. Klutch: 11-1
Game 2: Showstoppers vs. Santa Rosa Schockwave: 18-11
Game 3: Showstoppers vs. River Region Misfits: 17-0
Game 4: Showstoppers vs. Oklahoma Chilis 12-3
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Launch Three Homers, Beat Rocket City For Fifth Straight Win
July 13, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fifth in a row on Friday night, riding three home runs to a 9-5 victory over the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
Nathan Martorella opened the scoring with a second-inning homer, his second in as many games, and Sean Roby and Zach Zubia added blasts of their own in another dominant performance from the Pensacola offense.
Pensacola starter Luis Palacios (W, 6-5) surrendered a pair of homers to the Trash Pandas, but got through 5.0 innings of five-run ball to earn his team-leading sixth win.
The Blue Wahoos took the lead for good in the top of the fourth, when Roby went deep off Rocket City reliever Noah Owen (L, 0-1) in his Double-A debut. Zubia’s homer highlighted a six-run fifth inning, the biggest inning of the season for Pensacola and the turning point that allowed the Blue Wahoos to breathe easy the rest of the night.
Myles Emmerson jolted the Rocket City fans with a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the fifth off Palacios, but that was all the Trash Pandas could muster after Pensacola’s big inning. Justin King, Austin Roberts, Chandler Jozwiak and Raffi Vizcaíno combined to work 4.0 scoreless innings of relief to seal a 9-5 win.
The five-game winning streak ties Pensacola’s longest of the season, set most recently June 6-11.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Saturday. First pitch from Toyota Field in Madison, Alabama is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Tate High Assistant Principal Austin Courson Soars With The Blue Angels (With Gallery)
July 12, 2024
Tate High School Assistant Principal Austin Courson had the once in a lifetime opportunity Thursday to fly with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
Courson was chosen following a selection process as a “key influence rider” while he was an agricultural teacher for his involvement in the Tate FFA program. He was recently promoted to his new position as assistant principal at Tate.
He is looking forward to taking the experience back to share with Tate students this fall.
For a photo gallery, click here.
As for the questions every always asks of someone that flies with the Blue Angels:
Yes, he passed out. 7.5 G’s will do that.
And no, he did not get sick. (His secret breakfast before the flight: Bananas and peanut butter just in case because “the assistant superintendent of the school district says it tastes the same as it goes downs as it does as it comes up”.)
Flight day for Courson began with preparation.
“They took us on base, and they took us up into the public relations office with the Blue Angels and the crew chief for number seven,” he said. “They took us through the safety protocols, the procedures, the aircraft, the safety harness and things like that. Then we learned how we going to breathe properly, the blood flow, tensing the muscles and making sure the blood stays in the top part of your body.”
“When you are flying, you are pulling a lot of G’s, and you want to keep blood pumping through all of that where you don’t pass out.”
“I passed out for about a minute, but it wasn’t very long. The pilot said I did a really good job, better than some.”
“We went out over the Gulf of Mexico, and he was showing me how they perform those maneuvers,” he said. “It’s amazing to think that they are doing what they did with me in a show just 12 inches apart. The margin for error is zero.”
Over the Gulf, Courson was able to experience the top performance of the aircraft, approaching the sound barrier, doing a barrel rolls and other parts of the air show.
He said it was an amazing experience to see the men and women of the Blue Angels team with their dedication and commitment to teamwork. And that’s the key points he wants to make to students.
For a photo gallery, click here.
“It was a unique experience that I’m going to be able to take back to the students at Tate High School and out communities because the team, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are the epitome of the example of teamwork and professionalism for our community and our country. It was just amazing to see the culture of excellence that’s a zero-fail mission. They are going to do everything top notch every single time, and it just brings patriotism to my heart. We don’t get to see the war fighting machine many times because it is in faraway places, but to see what our capabilities are as a nation, it’s just absolutely amazing.”
In case you are wondering, there’s no video of Courson’s flight. We are told the Navy’s GoPro malfunctioned and stopped recording.
Photos for NorthEscambai.com by Austin Courson, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and Visit Pensacola.
