Pensacola’s Comeback Foiled In 13-6 Loss To Tennessee
May 21, 2023
The Blue Wahoos are now on the wrong kind of streak.
After this week started with a pair of wins and a club-record 10-game winning streak, the Tennessee Smokies won their third in a row Saturday by answering the Blue Wahoos’ comeback attempt with a pair of 3-run homers in the eighth inning of a 13-6 blowout win.
A sellout crowd of 5,038 became energized when the Blue Wahoos rallied from a 7-1 deficit in the fifth inning and had a tying run thrown out at the plate to end the sixth inning.
The intrigue continued into the eighth.
That’s when the Tennessee Smokies Haydn McGeary blasted a first-pitch fastball from reliever Austin Roberts into the right-center berm for a 3-run homer.
The ball’s flight immediately had reliever Roberts kicking the mound in disgust.
The decisive moment then got worse for the Blue Wahoos (24-14) when reliever Zach Willeman gave up a walk, a single and second 3-run homer of the inning, this one by Bradlee Beesley, who went 2-for-3 in the game and scored four runs. The Smokies (21-17), leaders in the Southern League North Division, had 11 hits as every batter reached base.
But most of the crowd stayed around for the attraction of post-game fireworks presented by Navy Federal Credit Union.
Following the show, more than 130 Scouts of America youths, along with parents and scouting leaders, were part of a sleepover night at the ballpark.
Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer sustained his worst outing this season. He did not make it out of the second inning. When he was lifted with two outs, the Smokies already had a 5-0 lead.
Fitterer threw 69 pitches, only half for strikes, as he struggled with location unlike any prior start. The righthander yielded a season-high five hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
In four prior starts, the 22-year-old Fitterer had allowed just five runs combined and recorded three consecutive wins in joining the team from High-A Beloit Sky Carp. He gave up four hits or fewer in each of those Pensacola starts.
Trailing 6-0 in the fourth inning, the Blue Wahoos started their comeback with Griffin Conine’s RBI single.
Troy Johnston then smashed a 3-run homer in the fifth inning, part of a night when he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and two runs scored.
Will Banfield homered to lead off the sixth inning. Nasim Nuñez drove home Bennett Hostetler with a RBI single. Nuñez was later thrown out at the plate trying to score on Dane Myers’ hit. Nuñez went 2-for-5 and was among seven Blue Wahoos batters with at least one hit.
All of that led into the eventual eighth inning when the Smokies blew open the game.
The Blue Wahoos will now hope to salvage a split in the 6-game series when closing the homestand Sunday afternoon against the Smokies.
M.D. Johnson (0-1, 3.67), who began the week Tuesday with a solid start (6 innings, 3 runs), returns to the mound for a repeat against the Smokies, who will throw Porter Hodge (0-3, 5.47) for a second time.
The game will also feature renowned baseball organist Nancy Faust, who performed 41 years for the Chicago White Sox beginning in 1970, and is considered a pioneer in game entertainment. She will be performing on the concourse behind home plate with the same kind of vintage organ she used at Comiskey Park.
by Erik Bremer, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
May 21, 2023
Tate High School recently named their Students of the Month for March. They are Trey MacWhinnie (pictured left) and Caroline Paravicini. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FPL Seeks Slight Rate Decrease By July
May 20, 2023
Florida Power & Light customers could see a small decrease in their bills beginning in July.
The utility submitted a Florida Public Service Commission proposal on Friday seeking to reduce the fuel cost portion of bills by a total of $256 million reflecting continued downward revisions in projected natural gas costs for 2023 after last year’s high levels.
FPL customers in Northwest Florida using a 1,000 kilowatt hours average would see their bill drop from $158.86 in May to $154.91 in July. In the rest of the state, FPL customers will see their rates for 1,000-kilowatt hours drop from $139.95 to $136.
“This is more positive news for our customers,” said Armando Pimentel, president and CEO of FPL. “We know that every dollar counts for our customers, and we are pleased to propose another rate reduction.”
Mental Health Task Force Releases Findings
May 20, 2023
Friday, the Mental Health Task Force of Northwest Florida released its report of finding and recommendations.
The task force comprised a diverse group of over 100 participants, including front-line workers, community service organizations, religious groups, first responders, hospital administration and CEOs, judges, city council members, county commissioners, state legislators, and state agencies.
The reports are available at mentalhealthtaskforce.org.
“Now, the focus shifts to the crucial stage of implementing these recommendations,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said.
Molino Man Prefiles For Escambia School Board District 5
May 20, 2023
A Molino man is the first person to prefile for the District 5 seat on the Escambia County School Board.
Scott Taylor prefiled Friday with the Escambia County Supervisor of Elections.
Tate High’s Frankie Randall Signs With Coastal Alabama
May 20, 2023
Tate High School’s Frankie Randall has signed with Coastal Alabama South to continue his athletic and academic career.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Johnston Homers As Blue Wahoos Fall 5-1 To Smokies
May 20, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t solve Cubs prospect Jordan Wicks in a 5-1 loss to the Tennessee Smokies in front of a sellout crowd on Friday night.
Troy Johnston’s solo home run in the fifth inning was the lone bright spot for the Blue Wahoos, who have now lost back-to-back games for the first time in almost a month.
The Smokies took an early lead against Pensacola starter Luis Palacios (L, 1-1) with an RBI single from Pablo Aliendo in the second inning and a solo homer from Chase Strumpf in the third. Palacios allowed two runs in 5.0 innings, departing with a 2-1 deficit.
Nelson Maldonado added some insurance for Tennessee with a two-run double against Dylan Bice in the sixth inning, and BJ Murray closed out the scoring with a solo home run against Brady Puckett in the eighth.
Pensacola threatened in the eighth and ninth, but couldn’t chip away at the deficit. Ben Hecht (S, 2) wriggled out of a jam in the ninth to earn the save.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Smokies on Saturday.
by Erik Bremer, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Escambia Westgate School Class of 2023 Graduates (With Photo Gallery)
May 20, 2023
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2023 graduated Friday.
Escambia Westgate school serves the needs of pre-K, elementary, middle and high school students with varying exceptionalities.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Escambia Westgate Class of 2023 graduates were:
- Mark Adam Afflick
- Aishan Semaj Byrd
- Naszia Mallik Crenshaw
- Jaryn Erik Cunningham
- Marcellus Laboris Dortch
- Nevea Gabriel Guerrier
- Marius Lucion Hartley
- Aiden Caleb llano
- Stephen Richard Johnson
- Jaden Patrick Kelly
- Robert Keppler, Jr.
- Lamario Tyrese Lewis
- Aryauni Gloven Moultrie
- Robert Chase Provau
- Joel Lantrell Weathers
Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Water Main Break Reported At Phalrose Lane And Cooley Road; Boil Water Advisory
May 19, 2023
THIS BOIL WATER NOTICE WAS LIFTED ON MAY 22.
A water main break was reported Friday at Phalrose Lane and Cooley Road that may have led to a disruption in water service.
A precautionary boil water notice has been issued for all Cottage Hill Water Works customers on Phalrose Lane and Cooley Road until further notice
The utility is advising, as a precaution, that all water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes be boiled. A rolling boil of one minute is sufficient. As an alternative bottled water may be used.
This precautionary boil water notice will remain in effect until the problem has been corrected and a bacteriological survey shows that the water is safe to drink.
Rabies Alert For Escambia County; Three People Exposed To Rabid Fox, One To Rabid Bat
May 19, 2023
The Florida Department of Health (DOH-Escambia) has issued a Rabies Alert for Escambia County after three people were exposed to one rabid fox and one person was exposed to a rabid bat this month in Escambia County.
NorthEscambia.com has learned the rabid fox bit at list one person at a private residence in Bratt, not far from Northview High School and Travis Nelson Park.
The health department is urging residents across the county to avoid contact with wild and stray animals across the county to protect against risk of rabies exposure.
“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, to be aware of unusual acting animals, and to keep pets vaccinated against rabies,” said Marie Mott, DOH-Escambia administrator.
Rabies is transmitted through exposure to the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. DOH-Escambia works with animal control in responding to incidents of animal bites, tests animals for rabies through the Department of Health state laboratory, and quarantines animals as necessary. DOH-Escambia also provides rabies vaccinations to victims of animal bites, the only known effective treatment for rabies prevention in humans.
The following are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:
- Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets and at-risk livestock.
- Do not allow your pets to run free. Follow leash laws by keeping pets and livestock secured on your property. If your pet or livestock are bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Escambia County Animal Services at (850) 595-0097.
- Support animal control in efforts to reduce feral and stray animal populations.
- Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
- Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with outdoor food sources such as uncovered trash or litter.
- Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
- Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
- Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
- Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the DOH-Escambia at (850) 595-6700.