Wahoos Combine For Three-Hitter In 1-0 Win Over Smokies
May 24, 2024
by Erik Bremer
Four Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over the Tennessee Smokies on Thursday night.
Angel Macuare, Adam Laskey (W, 1-0), Anderson Pilar and Chandler Jozwiak (S, 1) faced just two batters over the minimum as the Wahoos got back in the win column against the defending Southern League Champions.
Sean Roby, activated from the injured list earlier in the day, hit a solo home run in the third inning off Smokies starter Matthew Thompson (L, 1-1) to account for the only run of the night.
One night removed from ninth-inning heartbreak, 4,085 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium almost saw Pensacola fall to a similar fate. Against Jozwiak in the ninth, Smokies catcher Pablo Aliendo sent a drive destined for a game-tying blast before Blue Wahoos left fielder Jorge Caballero leapt at the wall for a home run robbery.
The game took place in a brisk 1 hour and 56 minutes, the fastest nine-inning game of the season for the Blue Wahoos and just two minutes shy of tying a team record for the fastest game in team history.
The Blue Wahoos will look to make it two wins in a row against the Smokies on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05,
After Weeks Of Denial, Century Agrees To Pay Former Employee Over $4K He Was Owed
May 23, 2024
It appears a former Town of Century employee will be paid several weeks after his resignation and multiples appearances before the town council seeking his final check.
Gas operator Billy “B.J.” Johnson submitted his two weeks’ notice to Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. on March 21, stating that his last day would be April 4.
Johnson told the council that he was not allowed to take time off as the only certified gas operator, so he accrued sick leave and did not use vacation pay.
The town’s employee handbook, last updated in 1993, states that vacation time not used by the end of the year is forfeited. However, Johnson provided the town council with an October 20, 2023, email from Gomez allowing Johnson to carry over 88 hours of vacation time.
With the vacation and comp time, Johnson claimed he was owned for 196.5 hours at his hourly rate of $21.84 for a total of $4,294.56.
Council president Dynette Lewis suggested the council turn the issue over to the town attorney and procurement specialist to verify the amounts.
“I’m sorry, it’s been over six weeks,” Johnson told the town council this week.
“It’s my opinion that is the same when I did the math,” council member Alicia Johnson said. “That’s the same that I come up with, and it’s my opinion that we need to pay him. That’s what we owe him.”
The council voted 4-1 to pay Johnson the $4,294.56 after a motion by Johnson and a second by council member Sandra McMurray Jackson. Lewis cast the dissenting vote.
Lipscomb Lions Celebrate Graduates, 5th Graders On Last Day
May 23, 2024
Wednesday, Lipscomb Elementary School welcomed back Lions that are graduating this year as they say goodbye to departing fifth graders on the last day of school.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘The Blue Angels’ Premieres On Amazon Prime Video
May 23, 2024
A brand new documentary – The Blue Angels – premiered May 23 on Amazon Prime Video following a one-week run at IMAX theaters.
The Blue Angels have been enthralling people, across the country and around the globe, for more than 75 years. Now, Amazon MGM Studios and IMAX bring a brand new documentary – The Blue Angels – that will take audiences soaring with the Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squadron as never before. Filmed for IMAX, the immersive footage puts you in the cockpit for a firsthand view of the Blue Angels’ precision flying, while the aerial shots deliver a spectacular showcase of the breathtaking maneuvers that have made them the world’s premier jet team.
The Blue Angels also takes audiences behind the scenes for a revealing, in-depth look at what it takes to become a Blue Angel—from the careful selection process to the challenging training regimen, and on through the demanding eight-month show season.
The film is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary teamwork, passion and pride of the hundreds of outstanding men and women of the Navy and Marine Corps who have had the honor to serve in the Blue Angels squadron…past, present and future.
Photos courtesy Amazon Prime.
Northview High School Names 2024 Honors Graduates
May 23, 2024
Northview High School has named their Class of 2024 honors graduates.
They are:
Summa Cum Laude GPA of 4.0 and above
- Sarah Elaine Bailey – Valedictorian
- Maggie Rose Godwin – Salutatorian
- Daniel Tyler Riggs
- Leah Kathryn Hetrick
- Ava Kate Gurganus
- Kaylie Brooke Glick
- Raegan Michelle Abbott
- Riley Elizabeth Dawson
- Carsyn Laine Dortch
- Jaquez Keyshaun Gabriel Moorer
- Berklee Savannah Hall
- Heath Samuel Parker
- Chloe Adele Ragsdale
- Emma Lynn Doyle
- Brooke Cay Lytton
- Doria Renee Beach
- Austin Allen Minchew
- Raleigh Sienna Gibson
- Mayson Claire Edwards
- Leila Ann Mason
- Kinslee Abigail Coker
- Kendall Anne Alvare
- Julius Christian St Louis
- Makayla Jane Golson
- Chloe Faith Criswell
- Wyatt Alexander Scruggs
- Jacob Andrew Spence
- Skyler Marie Williams
Magna Cum Laude GPA of 3.85 and above
- Chance Avery McElhannon
- Dequan Rashad Shabazz
- Allyson Breanna Jones
- Rabekah Danielle Abbott
- Olivia Peyton Bush
- Jackson Johnny Mac Parker
- Joshlynn Diane Helton
Cum Laude GPA of 3.5 and above
- Kaylee Micheal Hamilton
- Caden Thomas Mills
- Kallista Grace Kennedy
- Brandon Lee Ferguson
- KayLeigh Anne Jay
- Skielah Marie Gaskey
- Ja’Niya I’Yonna Hooks
- Gloria Elizabeth Decker
- Ava McKenzie Wilson
- Darrin Thomas Leatherberry
- Mandell Levan Smith
- Joe Wright, V
- Amber Lorraine Irby
- Chloe Layne Morris
- Isaiah Jamar Thomas
- Caden Luke Peterson
- Sarah Kate Long
The Northview High School Class of 2024 will graduate at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 23 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
NorthEscambia.com Readers Credited With Solving Burglary
May 23, 2024
The arrest of a Cantonment man in connection with the theft of over $800 worth of outdoor items from a local small business was credited to NorthEscambia.com readers.
As we reported yesterday, Kyle Aaron Walden, 34, was arrested Tuesday for grand theft and burglary, both felony charges. His bond was set at $5,000, but he has an outstanding warrant from Santa Rosa County, according to jail records.
The theft occurred about 7 a.m. May 16 at Antiques Marketplace at 10100 Pensacola Boulevard, just south of 10 Mile Road. Surveillance images shows the man taking items from outside the business and placing them into the backseat of a small car.
NorthEscambia.com published a report about the burglary with surveillance images on May 17. That story lead to a Crime Stoppers tip that led the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to Walden.
The arrest report (pictured below) states:
“This incident was reported as a news story on NorthEscambia.com. The news article had a picture from the surveillance camera of the suspect loading items into a gray four door vehicle. I received a Crime Stopper tip stating the guy involved with the incident was Kyle Walden. Through investigative techniques I was able to locate the tag of the vehicle used during the incident. Florida tag 35BVHV, was which was on a gray Honda and registered to a Frances Kiker-Walden.
“I then went to OP/Kiker-Walden’s address and spoke with her. I asked if she knew S/Kyle Walden and she stated he is her son. I showed the news article to OP/Kiker-Walden from North Escambia.com and she stated “that’s my son Kyle and my car”. OP/Kiker-Walden stated S/Walden has had her Honda since December of 2023. OP/Kiker-Walden stated she has tried several times to get the vehicle back from him, but he has refused to do so. OP/Kiker-Walden stated S/Kyle hangs around unfavorable people.”
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Former Wildcats Say Goodbye On The Last Day At Beulah Elementary School
May 23, 2024
The last day of school was extra special Wednesday at Beulah Elementary School. The fifth graders took a memory walk through the halls of the school as staff cheered them on and said goodbye.
Several former Beulah Wildcats that are now graduating from high school joined in the celebration.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Neal Croom Inks College Baseball Scholarship
May 23, 2024
Neal Croom, a pitcher with the Tate Aggies, recently signed a full-ride scholarship with Palm Beach State College. Croom led the Aggies in strikeouts and innings pitched this past season. An honors student and member of student council, Croom was named to the Pensacola Sports All-Star team. Photos by Tate High School Yearbook for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Honor State Champ Jay Royals Before Comeback Rally Is Spoiled
May 23, 2024
by Blll Vilona
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos honored the 1A state championship Jay High Royals baseball team Wednesday night.
The Wahoos were an out away from their best comeback win so far this season.
And then a gut-punch happened.
Reliable closer Austin Roberts, the league saves leader, was unable to protect a two-run lead just delivered for the ninth inning, leading to the Tennessee Smokies celebrating a 6-5 victory Wednesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 4,144 saw plenty of fireworks before the actual show – the first Wednesday school’s out display of the season. But in this case, the Smokies produced the grand finale.
After the Blue Wahoos, who were held to one hit the first seven innings, exploded with a 5-run rally in the eighth inning, a probable win turned the other way in the Smokies’ final at bat.
After yielding a one-out walk, then two-out single that put runners on the corners, Roberts left a fastball too much over the plate and Tennessee first baseman Haydn McGeary crushed it deep into the night sky for a no-doubt, three-run bomb over left field. McGeary is one of 12 players on this team ranked among the Chicago Cubs’ top 30 prospects.
He jumped on Roberts’ first pitch for the game-deciding moment. It was Roberts’ first blown save after producing eight saves this season.
The stadium went from anticipated winning cheer to silence. The Blue Wahoos were retired in order in the bottom of the inning and sustained their sixth loss in the past eight games.
But the crowd then saw the Jay High School baseball team, honored for winning the school’s first state championship in 54 years, come on the field a second time Wednesday to help the countdown and ignite the fireworks display
The Royals’ players spent hours before the game watching both teams take batting and fielding practice and were recognized at home plate in pregame ceremonies.
When the game began, Smokies starter Kyle McGowin, a former Major League reliever with the Washington Nationals, was in command. He retired the first 12 Blue Wahoos batters in order, before Zach Zubia drew a one-out walk. McGowin struck out Harrison Spohn with the bases loaded to end the threat.
Meanwhile, Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios had a strong outing, save for one mistake curveball. Shortstop Josh Rivers blasted that pitch for a 3-run homer in the fifth inning.
After McGowin exited following the seventh inning, the Blue Wahoos lit up reliever Michael Arias. Four of the first five batters he faced reached base. Jacob Marsee had a one-out RBI single. Joe Mack followed with the Blue Wahoos’ biggest hit, a two-run double to tie the game. Jacob Berry then hit a go-ahead single to further electrify the crowd.
Cody Morissette, who had the Blue Wahoos first two hits, was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a fifth run.
But it didn’t stand. The Smokies now have a 2-0 lead in the series that shifts to Mullet Thursday with the Blue Wahoos taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets for a game that begins at 6:05 p.m.
GAME NOTABLES
— Senior Ethan McDonald, a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) for Jay HS, threw out a ceremonial first pitch, after his baseball teammates lined the field, along with five coaching staff members. McDonald was a leader in Jay’s championship run that included semifinal wins against higher ranked Class 1A teams.
The players all were able to be on the field during both teams’ batting practices to study how high-level professionals prepare for a game.
“It’s meant the world to them,” said second-year head coach Duane Raley. “It’s been awesome. It’s opened their eyes, because their starting to understand that ‘hey you (Raley) said that. You said if we do this it would work.’ It was kind of neat because they saw we do the same thing in practice (as two pro teams).’
— The Bayside Academy baseball team in Daphne also attended the game with a fundraiser event after playing at the stadium earlier this spring.
— State senator Doug Broxson also was part of the group of ceremonial first pitch throwers and he visited with Jay’s team.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Tennessee Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Oh, The Places You Will Go: Bratt Elementary 5th Graders Celebrate Final Day
May 23, 2024
It was a bittersweet day Wednesday at Bratt Elementary School as the the fifth grade said goodbye.
The younger students enjoyed watching the fifth grade talent show.
The fifth graders spent time reading “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” with Principal Amy McCrory before taking their final walk as Bratt Elementary students.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
