Jay Defeats Northview 7-2 (With Gallery)
April 26, 2024
The Jay Royals defeated the Northview Chiefs 7-2 Thursday night in Jay to end the regular season for both teams.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Jackson Bridges was first on the mound for Northview, giving up seven hits and four runs in three innings, striking out none and walking two.
For Jay, Ethan McDonald surrendered three hits and two runs in four innings, striking out three and walking two. Jax Lowery went for three on the hill, giving up one run while striking out one and recording no hits and no walks.
Jax Lowery led Jay at the plate going 3-4, while Hayden Morris and Nick Baxley were 2-4.
At the top of the lineup, Grayden Sheffield was 3-3 to lead the Chiefs, and Bodiford was 1-3.
Both teams head into the 1A-District 1 tournament next week. No. 2 seed Jay (13-10) will sit out Monday with a bye, while No. 4 Northview (9-14) will host No. 5 Laurel Hill (8-11).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click here.
Blue Wahoos Power Past Shuckers For Third Straight Win
April 26, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Much to his delight, Joe Mack has now impacted two teams before April is even complete.
Still in his first week with the Blue Wahoos, the 21-year-old catcher drove in three runs, highlighted by a two-run homer to straightaway center in the seventh inning, which proved decisive in Pensacola’s 6-5 victory Thursday night against the Biloxi Shuckers.
Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets, complete with uniforms and fan fun, it was a third straight win in as many games this week against the Shuckers (10-8), who started the week tied for the best start in the Southern League.
Mack, drafted by the Miami Marlins in the competitive balance portion of the 2021 MLB draft out of high school in New York, joined the Blue Wahoos (9-9) on Sunday from the Beloit Sky Carp – the Marlins’ High-A affiliate in Beloit, Wisconsin. He was batting .347 with 13 RBI and two homers, helping Beloit to a solid start.
This week, as members of the Marlins’ executive staff led by baseball operations president Peter Bendix were in town to check on the Blue Wahoos, they’ve seen Mack attack with offensive skills.
Rated No. 25 among the Marlins’ top organizational prospects, Mack now has five hits in the series with a homer and five RBI.
The towering, two-run homer that exited his bat at 106 mph and traveled 413 feet proved pivotal. The Shuckers dented Pensacola reliever Raffi Vizcaino for three consecutive hits and three runs in the ninth before Lincoln Henzman was summoned to get the final out and his first save.
But even that one was a loud out. The Shuckers’ Carlos Rodriguez laced a first pitch that third baseman Jacob Berry turned into a sensational game-ending grab to seal the win.
It was part of another big game for Berry, who has shown encouraging signs this week both with his bat and his glove. Berry hit a solo home run – a no doubt blast that traveled 447 feet out of the ball park and just inside the right field foul pole in the sixth inning. He also singled in the third inning.
The Mullets got their first three runs in the first inning. Tanner Allen led off with a double and scored when Paul McIntosh followed with a double. Mack then followed with a run-scoring single and scored on an error to give the Mullets at 3-0 lead.
Pensacola starter Valente Bellozo had a solid outing, working five innings, allowing four hits and two runs with seven strikeouts.
The series now shifts to the weekend on where the Blue Wahoos will try to get a series win with Evan Fitterer on the mound.
GAME NOTABLES
Peter Bendix, who was hired by the Marlins in November as president of baseball operations, reporting to team owner Bruce Sherman, visited with Blue Wahoos season ticket holders in the first base lounge. Bendix addressed a variety of topics and took questions from season ticket holders in a 30-minute session.
Several Blue Wahoos players worked Thursday morning on a community outreach project with Feeding The Gulf Coast at the non-profit organization warehouse location in East Milton.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Undocumented Farm Worker, 45, Gets 25 Years For Attempted Sexual Battery Of 11-Year Old In Walnut Hill
April 25, 2024
A former Walnut Hill farm worker that charged with a child sex crime after a 2022 Amber Alert has been sentenced to state prison.
Brijido Manriquez-Ortiz, now 45, was sentenced under a plea deal to 25 years in state prison after pleading no contest to attempted sexual battery on child under age 12. Manriquez-Ortiz was also designated as a sexual predator. H was in the United State illegally on an expired work visa
At the time of his arrest, he was originally charged with sexual battery on a victim under the age of 12 years, a capital felony that could have carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted.
On July 28 2022, an 11-year-old girl was discovered missing from a home on Arthur Brown Road in Walnut Hill. She was first believed to be in the company of Manriquez-Ortiz based on a note that was left behind and his relationship with her.
About two weeks prior, she was seen kissing Manriquez-Ortiz on the lips. He was employed by Steve’s Catfish Farm in Walnut Hill, and she frequently went to the business, according to an arrest report. He was fired and given a ride to Atlanta, Georgia.
The child’s father told NorthEscambia.com and investigators that he found a cut screen on their Walnut Hill home, and the girl was missing. She left a note behind indicating that she would be with Brijido-Ortez. According to an arrest report, she placed a call to Manriquez-Ortiz at 9:45 p.m. on July 27, and sexually explicit texts and photographs were sent back and forth between the victim and Manriquez-Ortiz.
A security camera at the Escambia Grain elevator nearly across the street recorded a white vehicle pulling into the victim’s home at 10:08 p.m. on July 27.
An Amber Alert was issued the following morning when the girl was found missing. Manriquez-Ortiz was located in Laredo, Texas, and questioned at the FBI office in Laredo. He remained in custody there until his extradition back to Escambia County.
The girl was located by law enforcement in Foley, Alabama, in a white truck that was previously reported as stolen by Steve’s Catfish Farm in Walnut Hill. The victim was interviewed at Gulf Coast Kid’s House. The details of that interview were redacted from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office report, but it states that Manriquez-Ortiz and the victim had sexual intercourse.
Manriquez-Ortiz is a Mexican citizen and illegally remained in the United States after his work visa expired in 2020.
Bratt, Byrneville Elementary Students Create Winning EREC Meeting Promo Posters
April 25, 2024
Fifth graders at local elementary schools in North Escambia took part in a poster contest to promote Escambia River Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting.
The winning students received a cash award, and their posters were displayed at the meeting this Saturday, April 27, at Ernest Ward Middle School.
Winners from Bratt Elementary School were (pictured above L-R) Klaire Bealey, first; Zinaleah Moreno, third place; and Marshall Nall, second.
Winners from Byrneville Elementary School were (pictured below (L-R) with CEO Ryan Campbell) Gracie Levins, second; Kaison Robbins, first; and Antonia Hayes, third place.
For Saturday’s 85th annual meeting, activities will be from 8 to 10 am., and the business meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The winning posters will be displayed at the meeting.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Make-A-Wish Grants Wish For Girl, 4, With A Barbie Camper
April 25, 2024
In honor of World Wish Month, Make-A-Wish Alabama celebrated with a very special wish reveal in Atmore.
Ana-Lois Mercer is a four-year-old wish kid who has been battling leukemia. She wished for a camper which was personalized with custom pink finishes in honor of her favorite toy, her Barbies. And thanks to Bama RV in Dothan, her wish came true Wednesday at Wind Creek Atmore.
The reveal was the culmination of World Wish Month, a celebration throughout April that honors the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Ana-Lois’ family is a part of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians community, and many local children and families were in attendance to celebrate the surprise wish reveal.
And today will be an even bigger day for Ana-Lois as she rings the bell to celebrate the end of her chemotherapy treatment.
Photos courtesy Make-A-Wish Alabama for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fields Of Faith: Community Worship Service Held At Northview High
April 25, 2024
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted a spring Fields of Faith on a cold Wednesday night in Northview’s Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
For more images, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Update: Missing Alabama Teen Located
April 25, 2024
UPDATE: THIS MISSING TEEN HAS BEEN LOCATED.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued a missing child alert for a 17-year-old last seen in Monroe County, Alabama
Jayda Hammonds was last seen in the Burnt Corn, Alabama, area northeast of Monroeville on April 21.
ALEA said she may be traveling to an unknown location in Texas. According to her mother, she is from Flomaton and was living with a relative in Burnt Corn.
She was last seen wearing a blue shirt and red sweatpants. She is described as a 5-foot 3-inch tall, 180-pound white female with brown eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at (251) 575-2963 or their local law enforcement agency.
63 New Members Inducted Into Northview High Beta Club
April 25, 2024
Wednesday afternoon, 63 students were inducted into the National Beta Club at Northview High School.
- Addison Classen
- Addison Eicher
- Addison Miller
- Allison Yoder
- Amanda Fernandez
- Amberly Dunn
- Amy Floyd
- Andrew Brown
- Asher Creighton
- Ashley Gleason
- Ashton Covan
- Ayden Crabtree
- Braden Glick
- Brielle Garcia
- Bryce Stabler
- Caley Deharsh
- Cameron Bodiford
- Camden Borelli
- Camryn Langham
- Christian Caraway
- Claire Amerson
- Cody Geneux
- Crimson Davis
- Daviona Randolph
- Evin Matlock
- Hallie Emmons
- Hayden Gipson
- Jackson Bridges
- Kaitlin Lloyd
- Kate Stinson
- Kathryn Beasley
- Kaylee Long
- Kinley Knowles
- Kira Reed
- Keeli Knighten
- Kelan Jurey
- Kylie Langham
- Lacie Kittrell
- Laura Laborde
- Lexi Smallwood
- Lilly Smallwood
- Lori Hall
- Luke Chavers
- Maddie Driskell
- Macy Miller
- Madeleine Atallah
- Maggie Stewart
- Makayla Plato
- Makenzie Levins
- Maria Valeria Franco
- Mary Catherine Hughes
- Mary Elizabeth Oliver
- Mikayla McAnally
- Morgan Driver
- Olivia Doyle
- Olivia Hall
- Payton Daw
- Presley Johnson
- Samantha Minchew
- Stevi Cofield
- Tierany White
- Tyler Gilmore
- Xyria Martin
The National Beta Club’s purpose is “to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership and service among elementary and secondary school students”.
Pictured: New Beta Club members at Northview High School. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos School Shuckers On Education Day
April 25, 2024
The Blue Wahoos created a textbook win Wednesday on Education Day.
With lefthander Luis Palacios delivering a turnaround performance, working six scoreless innings and allowing just two hits, the Blue Wahoos got enough timely hits and stellar relief pitching in a crisp 5-0 victory against the Biloxi Shuckers.
A crowd of 3,002, comprised mostly of elementary school students from schools across the region, enjoyed a special matinee game as the school calendar year winds down.
“With so many kids there, you want to make sure they have a good time and you do the best with yourself so they have a good experience,” said Palacios, 23, a Venezuela native, who is working to complete his own high school degree while learning English through the Miami Marlins education program for international players.
He spoke with aid from the Marlins’ Colleen Mitchell, the team’s director of player care and service.
“I’ve also returned to my high school studies with the goal of graduating by the end of year,” said Palacios, acquired by the Marlins as an International free agent in 2016. “So it was really special having all those kids (Wednesday) and having them enjoy watching what we do.”
After Biloxi’s second batter in the game, Mike Boeve, drove a pitch to the base of the right field wall that bounced free from right fielder Tanner Allen for a triple, Palacios settled into a groove. He retired the next 14 batters he faced in order and the Blue Wahoos built a 3-0 lead.
It was a far different outing for Palacios from his previous two starts, in which he allowed a combined 17 hits and 11 runs while being unable to get into the sixth inning.
“I feel really good,” he said afterward. “We worked and prepared for this and it’s always great when you’re able to execute the way you planned for.
“I think for me it’s always about maintaining a positive attitude and going out there and ready to attack batters and that is what I did today.”
At the plate, the Blue Wahoos (8-9) quickly got the schoolkids excited. Tanner Allen led off the first inning with a single. Paul McIntosh followed with a run- scoring double. Joe Mack, who just joined the team Sunday, delivered a run-scoring single.
In the third inning, Zach Zubia wowed the crowd with a booming home run over the left field wall. The ball traveled an estimated 407 feet and excited his bat at 104 mph.
In the eighth inning, Jacob Berry continued his progression with a leadoff double. Shane Sasaki walked and Cody Morissette hit a two-out, two-run single.
Three Blue Wahoos relievers followed Palacios as Matt Pushard, Adam Laskey and Austin Roberts followed with scoreless innings.
The series will now shift back to evening games as the Blue Wahoos take a 2-0 series lead against the Shuckers (10-8) into Thursday night’s game.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Biloxi Shuckers vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
PROMOTION: Mullet Thursday. The Blue Wahoos will wear the Pensacola Mullets uniforms, taking on their alternate identity.
2-Month-Old Passes Away Following Escambia County Wreck
April 24, 2024
A two-month-old infant critically injured in a crash late Tuesday night in Escambia County has passed away, the Florida Highway Patrol reported lat Wednesday afternoon.
FHP said their traffic homicide investigators will take control of the investigation.
FHP said two passenger vehicles collided about 10:30 p.m. when one backed out of a driveway on West Jackson Street near Fitzgerald Street.
The 2-month-old girl was transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. FHP said she was not properly restrained.
The adults involved in the collision suffered non-life threatening injuries.
File photo.