M.D. Johnson Leads Blue Wahoos To Win
June 8, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
His aunt and her family had not seen the Blue Wahoos’ M.D. Johnson pitch since his collegiate days at Dallas Baptist University.
They made the drive to Pensacola from Waco, Texas to watch Johnson pitch Friday night for the first time in his pro career.
He made sure it was memorable.
In what he later termed his best outing this season, Johnson again delivered superlatives, working six innings, allowing just a first-inning run and helping the Blue Wahoos to a 3-1 victory against the Mississippi Braves to even this week’s series amid a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The win kept the Blue Wahoos (29-25) within striking distance of the Montgomery Biscuits, who had a rain delayed game Friday and a 2.5 game-lead on the Blue Wahoos for the first half Southern League South Division race.
“I felt good,” said Johnson, after visiting with his aunt, her husband and their children on the field following the game. “I was a little bit off at times. I had the four walks, but really kept the ball on the ground better than I have in all the other starts this year and that really helped.
“What I was trying to do gameplan-wise and executing that, I would say yes, it was my best. The only thing I am upset about is walking four guys. I have to keep the ball in the (strike) zone. It has been my Achilles Heel in pro ball. When I am in the (strike) zone, good things will happen.”
They certainly did just that on Friday. Johnson gave up a game-opening double to David Fletcher, the former Los Angeles Angels veteran who is making a comeback bid as a combo infielder and knuckeball pitcher. Fletcher is set to pitch for the second time this week in Sunday’s series finale.
The M-Braves’ Nacho Alvarez followed with an RBI single. But from that point, Johnson retired the next three batters, striking out the last two in ending the inning. The rest of the way, only one M-Braves hitter got into scoring position through Johnson’s six innings.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was outstanding again.
Patrick Murphy threw two hitless innings, striking out four and bouncing back from a previous rough night.
Austin Roberts recorded his ninth save, the best in the Southern League, sealing the win by freezing Fletcher with a perfect two-strike pitch for the punchout, then getting Alvarez to fly out to end the game.
Johnson has now allowed just one run in each of his last three starts at Blue Wahoos Stadium. A year ago, his earned run average was dramatically lower in home starts than road starts.
Why so?
“Honestly it’s being home,” said Johnson, who improved to 2-3 on the season with a 2.68 ERA. “Whenever I’m at home, my wife’s here, I have my routine.
“I live in a trailer (in Pensacola).. my house. Being home and having a home base is huge. This is where home is.
“I would love to just take (the trailer) on the road trips and it would be fantastic, but it’s not a realistic thing.”
The Blue Wahoos got their first run when Jacob Berry, who returned to lineup Friday after being out with a minor injury this week, singled to start the second inning, then scored on Harrison Spohn’s two strike single.
In the third inning, Joe Mack reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced on Nathan Martorella’s single, then again to third base when Berry beat out a double-play attempt at first. That was big, because a wild pitch then scored Mack for the second run.
Mack then continued his big week at home with an eighth-inning solo blast to straightaway center that just cleared the wall for his third homer in three days.
The series continues Saturday with the Blue Wahoos’ Paul Campbell (5-1) on the mound against the M-Braves’ Jake McSteen. A limited number of tickets remain on the Fireworks Saturday night.
GAME NOTABLES
— The game was designated as ALS Awareness Night. Representatives from the ALS Association-Florida attended the game, participated in a ceremonial first pitch and were interviewed during the game broadcast.
— There were eight different ceremonial first pitches prior to Friday’s game.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
Bicyclist Injured In Crash With Vehicle In Cottage Hill
June 7, 2024
A bicyclist received minor injuries in a collision with a vehicle Friday morning in Cottage Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 33-year-old female was riding her bicycle in the northbound lane of Highway 95A near Williams Ditch Road she collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe that was also traveling north on Highway 95A.
The bicyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 57-year dol driver of the Tahoe was not injured.
Flomaton Hosting Free Summer Bazaar And ‘Touch A Truck’ On Saturday
June 7, 2024
The Town of Flomaton will hold a big Summer Bazaar and Touch a Truck event on Saturday.
The bazaar, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., will feature arts and crafts, food vendors and a bounce house.
The touch a truck, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. will allow children to get up close with all sorts of trucks and equipment, from farm and road equipment to emergency vehicles, a helicopter and more.
Both events are free admission and open to the public in downtown Flomaton.
‘Project Dynamo’ Offers $2.5 Million For 25 Acres Of OLF-8 To Bring 210 New Jobs
June 7, 2024
A company looking to create 210 new jobs has made a $2.5 million offer for a portion of the county-owned OLF-8 property.
The Escambia County Commission voted 3-0 Thursday evening, with Commissioner Lumon May absent, to enter into negotiations.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance presented the industrial project with codename “Project Dynamo” to the Escambia County Commission. The name of the company or the nature of their business has not been announced as is allowed under Florida law during economic development negotiations.
Some of the 210 proposed jobs will be part time; the company expects 170 to 189 full-time positions to be created with a total annual payroll of $5.1 to $5.6 million.
The company offered the $2.5 million — $100,000 per acre for 25 acres of the 540 acre parcel at the extreme northwest corner of OLF-8 bordering Frank Reeder Road. The company wants to be in a completed facility by October 2025.
“OLF-8 is the only location in Escambia County the company is considering,” FloridaWest said.
Project Dynamo Details:
- ±25 Acre Site, extreme northwest corner of OLF-8 (Light Industrial Area)
- Offer to purchase at $100,000 per acre for a total of $2.5 million
- Building size: ~110,000sf
- Capital Investment: Minimum $35 million
- Construction type: Tilt-Up Concrete with parking, lighting and landscaping
Project Dynamo Workforce:
- o Total Workforce : 210 employees
- o Full-time Equivalent (FTE) employees: 170-189 est.
- o Minimum starting Pay: $16.50/hr. + comprehensive benefits for full-time jobs
- o Annual Payroll: $5.1 – $5.6 million est.
“This project is an excellent fit for OLF-8 and should help to stimulate additional development and investment in the park. FloridaWest will work with the County and other partners to pursue Triumph Grant Funding to support required infrastructure including roads and utilities, within and nearby OLF-8,” FloridaWest noted in their presentation to the county.
NorthEscambia.com graphic.
License-Free Freshwater Fishing This Weekend In Florida
June 7, 2024
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting another license-free freshwater fishing weekend on June 8 and 9.
Freshwater fishing is a fun activity for all ages to enjoy and there are many great locations across Florida to explore. Florida residents and visitors of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to try recreational fishing on this special weekend and the FWC has helpful resources for new anglers to get started.+
All other rules, such as seasons, bag and size limits apply during license-free fishing weekend.
Pictured: Fishing at Lake Stone near Century. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Recent Tate Grad Wins State High School Rodeo Barrel Racing Title
June 7, 2024
Recent Tate High School graduate Lexi Nelson recently won the Alabama High School State Rodeo Championship in barrel racing.
She competed in monthly rodeos all over Alabama and Northwest Florida since August before winning the title.
Lexi was awarded a state champion saddle and buckle and will compete for the national championship this July in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
She was also awarded a scholarship from Bar F Ranch and another from the National High School Merit Association.
She graduated from Tate in May with a 4.0415 GPA . She plans to attend UWF in fall to become an occupational therapist and work with special needs children.
Lexi, and other rodeo participants from Northwest Florida, compete in the Alabama High School State Rodeo Association because the Florida rodeos are all held in South Florida.
She is no stranger to winning titles and crows — she won five crowns during her time at Tate, every possible crown the school has. Her junior year she was crowned prom princess and Tate rodeo queen. Her senior year she won homecoming queen, Miss Tate, and prom queen.
Lexi is daughter of Edwin and Lisa Nelson and granddaughter of Tom and Joyce Harrell and Joe and Marie Nelson.
NorthEscambia.com and submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Child Abuse
June 7, 2024
A Century man was recently charged with child abuse.
Dennis Clyde Mathis, 45, was charged with felony child abuse in a domestic violence situation.
Mathis allegedly struck the child in the left eye and right leg. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, the child had a bruise and swelling on the left and a bruise of his right front leg area that was consistent with being punched with a semi-closed fist. The incident allegedly occurred at Mathis’ home near Century.
Statements made by Mathis and the age of the child were redacted from the arrest report.
Mathis was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Molino Red 8U Wins GCGSA All-Star Championship
June 7, 2024
The Molino Red 8U softball team took the GCGSA All-Star Championship recently. Molino Red won all four of their games by mercy-rule. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Bounce Back To Beat M-Braves
June 7, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
his was not a walk-off win, but it was one Thursday night deemed by Joe Mack’s teammates worthy of a celebratory, post-game ice water dousing.
After all, the Blue Wahoos catcher had a starring role with multiple exclamations.
Mack smacked the go-ahead run on a solo homer in the sixth inning, then threw out the Mississippi Braves’ speedy Geraldo Quintero in the game’s biggest defensive play in the eighth, as Pensacola held on for a 4-3 victory on Mullet Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Taking on their alternate identity on Thursdays as the Pensacola Mullets, the win was a bounce back moment from Wednesday’s rough 14-6 loss and provided a good vibe in the home clubhouse, following the two losses to start this series.
“This win was a good one. It was a big win, getting back in the win column,” said Mack, after toweling off from the teammates’ bucket splash during his on-field interview. “And not giving in from previous days, continuing to go every single day and try and do our best.
“When we have games like today, we have a lot of fun. I love playing these games and enjoy the game in general.”
Mack went 3-for-4 to continue a hot bat this week. He’s now 7-for-12 in this series with a pair of home runs. Equally important, he threw out two M-Braves baserunners.
The one in the eighth inning followed a leadoff walk by first baseman Bryson Horne. Quintero got a great jump on his steal attempt as pinch-runner, but Mack’s throw was a perfect laser on the inside part of the bag that beat Quintero’s slide by a split-second as shortstop Harrison Spohn applied the tag.
It made an easier situation for reliever Zach McCambley, who followed that second out by getting Cade Bunnell on a lineout to left field to end the inning.
In the ninth, Blue Wahoos reliever Anderson Pilar earned his first save by throwing a perfectly placed fastball on the inside corner to strike out the M-Braves’ catcher Drake Baldwin to end the game.
Pensacola hit three homers in this game to account for the runs. In the third inning, Jacob Marsee drew a two-out walk, then stole second and third base.
Designated hitter Paul McIntosh then blasted a changeup deep over the left center fence for a 2-1 lead.
Zach Zubia led off the fourth inning with a homer to make it 3-1. The M-Braves tied the game against Pensacola starter Evan Fitterer on a two-run triple in the fifth by Cody Milligan.
But Mack’s homer enabled Fitterer to pick up his fifth win on a night where he battled through six innings, striking out seven, but issuing four walks and allowing seven hits.
“It was a big win. I had a good part in it, but it wasn’t all me,” said Mack, who joined the team in late April from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate. “And my teammates really battled. A couple of good homers by Paul and Zubia.
“This team is awesome. We have bunch of great guys and we’re not quitters, so if we lose one game or two games it doesn’t matter. We will find a way to win the next one.”
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos are now 4-2 this season wearing the Pensacola Mullets uniforms.
— Jessica Voigt, a group sales trainee, continued her role as a frequent National Anthem singer by delivering another crowd-cheering rendition Thursday night.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
ECSO: Bratt Man Used Chainsaw to Cut His Way Into Friend’s Occupied Home
June 6, 2024
A man was charged after allegedly cutting his way into a Bratt home using a chainsaw Tuesday.
Brian Steven Wiggins, 52, was charged with armed burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief with property damage, and obstructing justice. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail where remained Thursday morning without bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Wiggins arrived at the victim’s home with a woman to help remove items.
The victim, who is a friend of Wiggins, left and returned a short time later, irate and asking where the woman was.
The victim told deputies that Wiggins had a chainsaw and began cutting down a tree and screaming, prompting the victim to go inside and call 911.
As the victim was calling 911, Wiggins allegedly began cutting a hole in the front door with the chainsaw in an attempt to get into the residence.
The arrest report states Wiggins cut a hole in the door and kicked in the broken piece before leaving in his pickup truck.
Deputies stopped Wiggins a short time later in his truck nearby on Rigby Road. The report states deputies found the chainsaw in the pickup truck bed.