Blue Wahoos Beat Mississippi Braves 4-3 To Open Series
August 26, 2012
Blue Wahoos right fielder P.J. Phillips blasted his second homer of the year, a two-run shot in the fifth, while shortstop Billy Hamilton stole his 149th base and scored the winning run on a wild pitch, as Pensacola topped the Mississippi Braves 4-3 on Saturday night at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi.
With the win the Fish improved to 31-30 in the second half of the season to remain to within 2.5 games behind the Montgomery Biscuits for first place in the South Division, thanks to their loss to the Jacksonville Suns Saturday. The Braves fell to 28-33 since the season’s All-Star Break.
Pensacola plated the game’s first score in the opening frame. Hamilton led off with a single, stole second for his 149th of the year and advanced to third on an error, before coming home on a double play to put the Fish ahead 1-0. Hamilton continues to extend his single-season steals record, which he broke earlier this week against Montgomery.
The Blue Wahoos would then extend the margin to three in the fifth thanks to the longball. After 1B Donald Lutz began with single, Phillips powered the 2-2 pitch over the left field wall for his second roundtripper of the year and his first since May 5 against Jackson.
Mississippi would answer and tally their first run of the game in the bottom of the inning. LF Alden Carrithers drew a leadoff free pass and took second on a walk, before CF Todd Cunningham sent him home with a run-scoring single to right.
Following a two hour and 29 minute rain delay, the Braves would eventually tie it at 3-3 in the seventh. Pinch hitter Jason Christian began the inning with a free pass and moved to second on 1B Joe Terdoslavich’s walk before scoring on an RBI single by C Evan Gattis. Terdoslavich would score later on the play to draw the contest even.
Pensacola grabbed the lead for good however in the ninth thanks to small ball. Hamilton reached on a bunt single and got to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a groundout, prior to taking advantage of a wild pitch to score what turned out to be the game-winning run.
Both starters did not factor in the decisions due to the precipitation despite good outings. Blue Wahoos starter Wirfin Obispo (5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) gave up a lone earned run on just three hits in his five frames, while Braves LHP Jose Lugo (5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO) yielded three earned runs on three hits while fanning four.
Pensacola reliever Curtis Partch (1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 SO) earned the victory with his 1.1 shutout frames in relief, while RHP Justin Freeman (1.0) notched his 15th save of the year with a perfect ninth. Braves RHP Mark Lamm (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 SO) suffered the loss to fall to 1-7 after allowing the final tally on two hits in two innings pitched.
The two teams are slated to play a double header Sunday afternoon, with the first game a makeup for Friday night’s scheduled contest beginning at 4:00 p.m. Both games will last seven innings. LHP Tony Cingrani is expected to get the start in the first game for the Blue Wahoos, while RHP David Hale will get the start for the Braves. RHP Chad Rogers is scheduled to toe the rubber in the second contest for Pensacola, facing Mississippi RHP J.R. Graham.
The final Blue Wahoos homestand of the season begins on Thurdsay, August 30 at 7:00 p.m., with Pensacola hosting the Tennessee Smokies, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
By Andrew Green
Pictured: P.J. Phillips mashed his second homer of the year in Pensacola’s 4-3 win over Mississippi. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia And Santa Rosa Extension To Host Master Naturalist Program
August 26, 2012
Escambia and Santa Rosa Extension, the University of Florida-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF-IFAS) and participating organizations throughout the region, are offering a Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP). This program is designed as an environmental education extension program to inform and prepare individuals to share information about Florida’s natural world and environmental history. Anyone who has an enthusiastic interest in learning more about Florida’s environment is encouraged to participate. Classes are appropriate for both novice and highly skilled environmental professionals.
The Uplands system program module includes classroom instruction, field trips and practical interpretive experience related to the general ecology, habitats, wildlife, vegetation types, and conservation issues of upland habitats in Florida. Field trips will include: the Blackwater State Forest, Eglin Air Force Base, Glendale Nature Preserve, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center and the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center.
Classroom sessions will be held at the Escambia County Extension Office, 3740 Stefani Road, and the Santa Rosa County Extension Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive, on Tuesdays (with one Wednesday field trip) from September 11 through October 30, 2012.
Cost of the program is $225.00, which includes 40 contact hours of instruction, a comprehensive student reference workbook and upon completion, registration in the UF FMNP database as an Uplands Systems Naturalist. A UF-IFAS certificate of achievement, embroidered FMNP patch, and FMNP Uplands lapel pin also will be provided at completion of the course.
To register visit: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/upland.htm and click on “Escambia/Santa Rosa.” Registration will close September 5, 2012.
Escambia ALA Schools Open Monday
August 26, 2012
Schools in Escambia County, Alabama, will be open as usual on Monday. A determination will be made during the day concerning Tuesday.
Scott Declares State Of Emergency
August 25, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Saturday morning in advance of Isaac’s anticipated impact on the state.
The order allows state, regional, and local governments can take necessary actions to protect the lives and property of the people in threatened communities. Isaac is forecast to impact both the southern part of the state, including the Keys, and the Panhandle.
““While Florida is facing another tropical storm, our State Emergency Response Team prepares for these types of weather events year round. The Executive Order is a normal step in these preparations, activating resources to assist local officials in response to an emergency. Florida’s emergency response officials are accustom to protecting the 19 million residents and hundreds of thousands of visitors that are here every day,” Scott said.
One Injured In Highway 97 Motorcycle Crash Saturday Morning
August 25, 2012
One person was injured in a single motorcycle accident Saturday morning on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill.
The accident happened about 10:15 a.m. just north of Tungoil Road. The driver of an antique Harley apparently lost control, ran off the roadway and was ejected as the motorcycle flipped end over end into a ditch.
The driver was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola by LifeFlight with non-life threatening injuries.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill and Molino Stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
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Northview Takes On Bay, May Lose Star Neiko Robinson Next Game (With Photo Gallery)
August 25, 2012
The varsity 1A Northview Chiefs tied the 5A Panama City Bay Tornadoes 7-7 Friday night in Bratt, but the Chiefs may have lost Penn State recruit Neiko Robinson for the first game of the regular season. The JV Chiefs lost 7-0 in one quarter of play.
Robinson, a senior transfer from the Flomaton Huricanes, was ejected in the fourth quarter after an overturned interception led to a brief scuffle allegedly involving Robinson. The incident started after officials flagged Neino Robinson, Neiko’s younger brother, for pass interference on the play. The incident will be reviewed next week by the Florida High School Athletic Association to determine if the preseason scuffle will lead to a suspension.
The play led to Bay’s go-ahead touchdown.
Coach Sid Wheatley said he did not see the incident but he was told that the officials said it was retaliation. Neiko was already under the weather before being ejected, possibly suffering from strep throat.
For 100 photos of game action, NHS cheerleaders, band and dance team, click here.
The preseason game was planned to be a matchup of reserves in the first quarter, but Bay played mostly starters. The first was to be followed by three quarters of varsity play. PC Bay was up 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
With 2:30 to go in the second, LaMikal Kyles flipped and tripped on a tackle attempt, but he did not go down, making his way in for the final yards for a Chiefs touchdown. A good kick from Kevin Vaughan, and it was tied 7-7.
Wheatley said his Chiefs, ranked third in the state, played good defense in the second and third quarters, but faltered in the third as Bay drove the ball almost the length of the field before punching it in.
“They made the big drive,” Wheatley said. “We didn’t make the stop, and that kind of determined the game.”
And the Chiefs were also plagued by a seemingly endless series of penalties during the game.
“We’ve got to learn from what we did tonight,” Wheatley said. “We’ve got to see all the mistakes…all the undisciplined play. That was very disappointing to me.”
“We’ve got to be able to close. We’ve got to be the team that finishes it off in the fourth quarter”
On the upside of the loss, the head coach said he was pleased with new starting quarterback Vaughan.
“When you can get a guy on the edge who puts the defense in a bind whether to come up and play this guy or back off, and if you back off, he’s going to get some yards,” Wheatley said. “I thought he played real well.”
Wheatley also acknowledged good play from senior Corry Baggett at linebacker, Stetson Nash who “has really come along on the defensive front for us”, Brandon Freeman at outside linebacker, and the play of backup quarterback Daulton Tullis.
The Northview Chiefs will open the regular season next Friday night against John Paul Catholic at 7 p.m.
For 100 photos of game action, NHS cheerleaders, band and dance team, click here.
Pictured top: Senior Neiko Robinson picks up yardage for the Northview Chiefs Friday night against Panama City Bay. Pictured top inset: LaMikal Kyles on gain for NHS. Pictured bottom inset: Backup Northview QB Daulton Tullis, a junor. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Childers’ November Clerk Of The Court Opponent Withdraws
August 25, 2012
The only opposition standing between Republican Pam Childers and the office of Escambia County Circuit Clerk has withdrawn.
Write-in candidate John Misiak took his name off the ballot Friday with a letter to the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. “I wish to inform you that I withdraw as a candidate for the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Escambia County. Thank you for your and your staff’s help and professionalism,” the letter from Misiak stated.
Chidlers,a political newcomer, defeated political fixture and incumbent Ernie Lee Magaha in the primary race for Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court. She would have been on the November ballot against Misiak if he had not withdrawn from the race.
Childers is a longtime certified public accountant and has served as the financial services manager for the City of Pensacola.
Gulf Power Putting Plan In Place As Isaac Threatens
August 25, 2012
Gulf Power is gathering up a cavalry of utility workers to ride to the aid of Northwest Florida should Hurricane Isaac make landfall here next week.
More than 700 workers from neighboring utilities have been recruited so far to help Gulf Power remove downed trees and restore electric service if Isaac invades the region.
“We have a storm-tested restoration plan and we’re preparing for widespread power outages if Isaac comes ashore anywhere within our service area,” said Jeff Rogers with Gulf Power. “We are activating our emergency operations center and each of our employees have storm assignments to help restore service as quickly and safely as possible.” Rogers said it ’s too early to predict exactly where Isaac will land or how long power may be out, but that Gulf Power was preparing as if Isaac will be a strong storm making a direct hit.
“Once the storm enters the Gulf of Mexico we will have a better idea of areas at risk. Needless to say, we are preparing for the worst and will be assigning our employees to the areas within our service territory that are hardest hit.” Gulf Power urges residents to follow evacuation orders and to leave the area if they are not prepared for a lengthy recovery period.
“We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding. If Isaac makes landfall in our service area, our crews stand ready to work as quickly and as safely as possible to restore everyone’s power,” Rogers said.
Escambia Man Indicted On Federal Child Exploitation Charges
August 25, 2012
An Escambia County man is among three people indicted by an federal grand jury on child exploitation charges.
Federal prosecutors said Friday that between June 13 and June 15 of this year, 33-year old Brennon Kyle Holley “did knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in sexual activity”. If convicted of the charges, Holley faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison and fines up to $250,000.
The federal indictment is the result of an investigation by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the North Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
A Saraland, Alabama, man, 47-year old Jeffrey Monroe Roy and 40-year old Thomas Monroe Lee of Gadsden, Alabama, were also indicted on similar charges. Roy was also accused of allegedly traveling from Alabama to Florida for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual contact with a minor.
Isaac: Escambia County Storm Preps Underway
August 25, 2012
Escambia County Public Safety is currently monitoring the forecast track of Tropical Storm Isaac for any potential impacts to our area. No plans have been made to activate the Emergency Operations Center. At this time, residents should be preparing for the possibility of landfall in Northwest Florida.
- Review your disaster plan.
- Prepare your disaster kit to include water, clothing, medications and other necessary items. Remember, “The First 72 are on You!”
- If you are making plans to evacuate, make sure you leave yourself enough time. Take your disaster kit with you and notify a friend or family member of your intended location.
- Log onto www.bereadyescambia.com to find out if you live in an evacuation zone in the event evacuations are ordered.
- Take advantage of this weekend to prepare your yard and property for the arrival of the storm. Trim dead trees and secure yard furniture. Also, test your generator to make sure it works properly. If you get fuel for your generator, make sure you store it in an open area with proper ventilation and away from open flames.
- If you have horses that need shelter, contact the Escambia County Equestrian Center at 941-6042. Reservations are being taken at this time. Space is very limited and is given on a first come first serve basis.
- Escambia County is not offering any sand bags. Residents are encouraged to purchase their own bags and sand from a local hardware store if they feel the need to have sandbags protect their property.
Pictured top: Lifeguard towers at Ft. Pickens and the Gulf Islands National Seashore were moved away from the potential wrath of Isaac Friday afternoon. Submitted photo by Sabrena Padgett for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.