M-Braves Top Wahoos 3-2 Despite Didder’s Dinger
May 4, 2022
Ray-Patrick Didder had three hits against his former team, including his third home run of the season, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell short in their series opener against the Mississippi Braves by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday night.
George Soriano (L, 0-1) had his longest start of the season, allowing three runs on six hits over 5.0 innings, but was outdueled by Mississippi’s Darius Vines (W, 2-1), who held Pensacola to two runs, one earned, over 5.0 frames.
The Braves struck first in the second inning on C.J. Alexander’s first home run of the season. Didder evened the score with a solo blast of his own in the third, but Mississippi scored two more in the fourth to take the lead for good. Drew Lugbauer blasted a solo homer off of Soriano to start the inning, and a Justin Dean sacrifice fly followed to make the score 3-1.
Didder led off the fifth inning with a single, stole second and took third on a throwing error before scoring on a Jerar Encarnacion groundout. That cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Blue Wahoos couldn’t put anything together on offense for the rest of the night. Victor Vodnik (S, 1) worked a quick ninth to earn his first save.
Anthony Maldonado, Jefry Yan and Josh Simpson each contributed a scoreless inning of relief for Pensacola. Simpson has now started his season with 12.1 scoreless innings of three-hit baseball with 25 strikeouts.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Mississippi Braves on Wednesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Cantonment Man Accused Of Molesting Girl Under 12
May 3, 2022
A Cantonment man is accused of molesting a girl under age 12.
Brandon Christopher White, 31, was charged with felony sexual molestation of a victim under 12 years of age. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Tuesday morning with bond set at $100,000.
White allegedly touched the female victim inappropriately over a period of about three years.
According to an arrest report, White admitted that about one year ago, the victim fell asleep in his bed and when he woke up, “he was scratching her back with his hand under her shirt, and his other hand was on her buttocks”.
“Brandon said it was scary for him, and he became concerned about falling asleep with people,” the report continues.
The victim told investigators that he had touched her in other inappropriate ways, the report states.
According to investigators, the victim disclosed the sexual abuse and was terrified that White had impregnated her. She said that she had watched a show in which an 11-year old girl became pregnant and died.
“Because (the victim) did not understand what had to happen to become pregnant and remained terrified that she was would die, (redacted) brought her to the hospital to get a pregnancy test,” the report states.
Two Charged After Stolen Vehicle Recovered At Molino Store
May 3, 2022
Two people were charged after deputies recovered a stolen vehicle at the Tom Thumb in Molino.
Melissa Renee Andrews, 31, was charged with dealing in stolen property, and Justin Michael Odom, age 27 of Cantonment, was charged with resisting an officer without violence.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Tom Thumb Sunday to recover a gray Chevrolet Equinox that had been reported stolen from Atmore.
Deputies found Andrews and Odom inside the vehicle. When a deputy approached, he was met by Justin Michael Odom who stated his name was “Charlie Odom”. While the deputy investigated his real identity, Odom took off running through the Highway 29 and Highway 97 intersection.
The deputy gave chase and tackled Odom.
The ECSO said a brief struggle followed before Odom was handcuffed. He suffered minor road rash from the tussle.
Odom was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond due to a probation violation. Andrews remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $5,000.
Tate And Northview Get Big Opening Night Wins In District Softball Tourneys
May 3, 2022
Tate 11, Crestview 0
Jordan Smith threw a shutout Tuesday night as the Tate Lady Aggies beat Crestview 11-0 in the first game of the 1-6A playoffs.
Smith gave up no runs on two hits in five innings, striking out one and walking none.
Kennedy Turner and Christina Mason both had homeruns for the Lady Aggies and led at the plate with two hits each. Sophia Jones, Courtney Lundquist, Kare Wine, and Aaliyah Jordan each added one hit.
No. 4 Tate will be at No. 1 Pace at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the district semifinal. The winner will face either No. 2 Niceville or No. 4 Navarre in the district championship game Thursday at 6 p.m.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Northview 14, Laurel Hill 2
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned a big blowout win over Laurel Hill 14-2 Monday night in the 1-1A district quarterfinals.
Aubrey Stuckey pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and two runs over five innings while striking out 10.
Jamison Gilman, Kailyn Watson and Kaitlin Gafford had two hits each for the Chiefs. Alanna Roberson, Payton Gilchrist and Emma Gilmore had one hit each.
No. 2 Paxton will host No. 3 Northview Tuesday at 6:30 in the district semifinal at Paxton. No. 1 Jay and No. 4 Baker will play at 4 p.m., with the winners facing off for the district championship on Thursday.
Pictured: The Tate Lady Aggies beat Crestview Monday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Stephani Pyron, click to enlarge.
Tate Gets Walk-Off Win Over Washington To Move To District Semifinal
May 3, 2022
A walk-off walk gave the No. 2 Tate Aggies a 3-2 win in the bottom of the seventh over No. 7 Washington Monday night in the 1-6A district quarterfinal.
The game was tied at two when Tate’s Cade Kelly drew a walk to scored one run for the dramatic win.
Tate’s other scores came with a run on a sacrifice fly from Drew Reaves that score one run and a Reaves walk scored one.
Ethan McAnally allowed five hits and two runs in three innings on the mound for Tate while striking out two and walking one. Dalton Biggs pitched four innings, allowing no hits, no runs and striking out eight.
Clif Quiggins led the Aggies at the plate, going 3-4. Kirk Mosley. Bray Touchstone and Jackson Penton had one hit each.
The Tate Aggies will play No. 3 Crestview at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Pace High School in the district semifinals. Crestview beat No. 6 Fort Walton Beach 9-6 Monday night.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Laura Glodfelter, click to enlarge.
Ransom Middle School Orchestra Night For Fifth, Six Graders Is Friday
May 3, 2022
Ransom Middle School Orchestra Hogwarts Night will be held this Friday night for fifth and sixth graders.
Students will have a chance to try their hand at different instruments and to try butter beer.
The event will take place from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the Ransom Middle Orchestra Hall.
Escambia Schools Gear Up For K-12 Summer Reading Program
May 3, 2022
The Escambia County School District will implement a K-12 summer reading program this year.
The “Level Up with Summer Reading” program will be from May 25 to August 5.
The district wide program will provide two to four summer reading books to each K-12 student, an additional two to four books for summer school students, and provide summer reading events hosted by various schools.
Books will be delivered to the schools in early May. School media specialists will promote the titles and create a space for the students to choose the books they wish to read over the summer.
Students will earn digital badges and rewards based on their logged minutes of summer reading in the Beanstack digital platform. Rewards for participation and top readers will be distributed in August when students return to school.
Two Facing Charges After Allegedly Running From Flomaton Traffic Stop
May 2, 2022
An Alabama man and a Century resident were arrested Sunday night in Flomaton after allegedly running from a traffic stop.
According to the Flomaton Police Department, K-p Officer Charles Land attempted to stop a vehicle for no tail lights. The vehicle fled and traveled down Washington Street where the driver and a passenger fled on foot.
K-9 Boo, along with officers Land and Gilbert Bailey, were able to track down the suspects hiding in the woods and took them into custody without incident.
Driver Mark David Fischer of Repton, Alabama, was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude, driving under the influence of alcohol, obstruction of governmental operations, driving while suspended, reckless driving and improper lights. Passenger James Andrew Cameron of Century was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude, and obstruction of governmental operations. Both men had additional outstanding warrants, according to police.
Sweet Tea. It’s The Southern Way To Thank A Fireman.
May 2, 2022
When a truck hauling nitric acid burned early Saturday morning in Century, surrounding businesses were quickly evacuated.
Local volunteer firefighters rushed toward the burning truck despite the dangers. A specialized hazardous materials team was on the way from Cantonment and Ensley, but time was important. They battled the truck fire, and also worked to keep the tanker cool and the nitric acid inside.
The Saturday morning breakfast crowd was evacuated from the Southern Panhandle restaurant, directly next to the old gas station and the fire.
When the work was done, a Panhandle employee was out, thanking the firefighters. It’s a Southern thing to say thanks.
And passing out sweet iced tea in foam cups. With no lids; firefighters are adults, you know.
There’s nothing like a cold sweet tea after a hot job. It’s also a Southern thing.
The firefighters stood around sipping sweet tea, like family at Sunday dinner. Come to think of it, they are family.
Thank y’all. And bless your momma and them.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
$7.2 Million In Safety Improvements Begin On East Nine Mile Road
May 2, 2022
The Florida Department of Transportation is set to begin work on a $7.2 million project to improve safety on a 2.3 mile segment of East Nine Mile Road.
Planned safety improvements between Chemstrand Road and Baldridge Road include:
- Widening the turn lanes to include five-foot bicycle lanes in each direction.
- Traffic signal upgrades.
- Guardrail, pavement markings, and sidewalk enhancements.
- Drainage improvements.
- Milling and resurfacing all turn lanes and bicycle lanes.
FDOT said the project is anticipated to be complete by the Summer of 2023.
During construction, drivers and bicyclists can expect lane closures and traffic shifts. Lane closures will be limited to the 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. timeframe seven days a week. Pedestrian detours will be in place while sidewalk improvements are underway.