Pensacola Blue Wahoos Win Second Straight Over Jacksonville 3-2
July 4, 2014
The packed Pensacola Bayfront Stadium came to see fireworks and, boy, did they.
Not only did they watch a spectacular 17-minute explosion of color in the night sky but they experienced former Gulf Breeze High School pitcher Ben Lively’s explosive fastball strike out seven Jacksonville Sun batters and an electrifying walk off home run deep to right field by Jesse Winker – his second walk off in a row.
What a difference on the mound it was for Lively in his second start at home in front of an announced 5,038 crowd that looked much larger with even every inch of the grass in the Hill Kelly Hill behind right centerfield taken.
The crowd was into every pitch and play made by the Blue Wahoos, who suited up in patriotic uniforms with stripes and stars, and their new red, white and blue hat with the Wahoos logo in a star.
Lively’s Double-A debut at home was his shortest outing of the year at 3.2 innings, with 52 of his 98 pitches thrown for strikes.
But it was all forgotten Thursday when the hometown prospect, recorded 7 Ks in six innings, allowing just two runs.
Lively’s total this season now stands at 115 Ks, which are second best in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Only Reds starter Johnny Cueto has more with 130. He is also second among all minor league pitchers, trailing only Aaron Blair, who has 117 playing at the A level.
“I was a lot more settled down,” said Lively, who entered the game with hitters batting .194 against him.
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields was pleased, too.
“He didn’t lose his composure,” he said. “His focus was a lot better tonight.”
Although he was happy with his pitching performance, Lively was even more excited about his double. It was his first professional hit and his first hit since he played at Gulf Breeze High School. He launched a line drive over the right fielder that scored Kyle Waldrop. Waldrop had led off the inning with a double off the base of the leftfield wall, sliding head first into second base.
“The hit pumped me up a little bit,” Lively said.
Lively, who already has a jersey out with the number 35 that he wore in his first start, then scored when Yorman Rodriguez followed him with a line drive down the left field line, tying it up at 2 apiece. It stayed that way until “Walk-Off” Winker came to the plate in the ninth inning.
Lively was icing his arm in the club house when he saw Winker lift the ball deep to right field. He quickly jumped up, threw on clothes and gave Winker the first of three shaving cream pies to the face, not to mention a cooler full of ice-cold Gatorade in front of the dugout. Winker, who has a seven-game hitting streak, enjoyed it, spreading his arms open and letting it shower him.
It ended a five-game homestand in which Winker was named to the Sirius XM All-Star Futures game played on Sunday, July 13, his first Double-A home run and then back-to-back walk offs. His one Wednesday night was on a single in the 15th inning.
“It’s very cool. One of the best baseball weeks I can remember,” said Winker, who still had shaving cream covering his head. “As soon as I hit it I thought, ‘Oh, that could go.”
Wahoos manager Delino DeShields was smiling after Thursday’s game. DeShields hasn’t been too happy with Pensacola’s record now at 6-9 in the second half, after a last place finish in the first half.
“That was fun tonight and it didn’t take 15 innings,” he said.
DeShields noted that Winker is 20 and the youngest player on the team.
“He’s a very confident young man,” DeShields said. “He’s growing up. He’s not a big leaguer yet but he will be one day. He’s always dangerous.”
DeShields also praised Drew Hayes, who pitched two scoreless innings of middle relief and struck out three.
“Our bullpen did a solid job tonight,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing these guys pitch.”
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Double-A affiliated of the Cincinnati Reds, travel to play Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate the Mobile BayBears in a five-game series that gets underway at 7:05 p.m. Friday. RHP Daniel Corcino (7-6, 4.50) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the BayBears RHP Justin Fitzgerald (7-1, 4.04).
by Tommy Thrall
Gov. Rick Scott Honors Veterans At Escambia County Stop
July 4, 2014
Gov. Rick Scott was in Escambia County Thursday, handing out the “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” to 227 former service members. Scott, a Navy vet himself, created the award in March and toured the state this week handing out the medals.
“The courage and sacrifice these veterans displayed while serving our country has contributed to the freedoms and opportunities Florida families benefit from everyday,” Scott said in a prepared statement following one of the ceremonies.
The front of the medal depicts the state seal. The back of the medal displays the five seals representing the five branches of military with an inscription that reads “Honoring Those Who Served.”
Pictured top: Gov. Rick Scott (left) awards the “Governor’s Veterans Service Award” to a veteran Thursday in Pensacola as Congressman Jeff Miller (right) looks on. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Billie C. Dewberry Spears
July 4, 2014
Mrs. Billie C. Dewberry Spears, 82 of Atmore, passed away Wednesday July 2, 2014, in Atmore. She was a retired secretary with over 20 years of service to the First United Methodist Church of Atmore. She was born on July 4, 1931 in Vincent, Ala., to the late Charles Gordon and Wilma Wilemon Dewberry. She attended Auburn University, was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha Service Sorority, and was a Pink Lady at South West Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, MS.
Survivors include her husband of over 55 years, James D. Spears of Atmore; one son, Stanley D. (Elizabeth) Spears of Birmingham; one daughter, Leigh Ann Horst of Orange Park, Fla; and two grandsons, Jacob Charles Horst and Jordan Kyle Horst.
Services will be Saturday, July 5, 2014, at 10 a.m. from the First United Methodist Church of Atmore with Rev. Deborah Bishop officiating. Family will receive friends Saturday, July 5, 2014, at the first United Methodist Church of Atmore from 9 a.m. until service time. Graveside services will be Saturday, July 5, 2014, at 3 p.m. in Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery Auburn, Ala.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Atmore Building Fund.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.
James Ernest Carlisle
July 4, 2014
James Ernest Carlisle, 85 of Cantonment passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. Ernest was born on March 15, 1929, in Muscogg, FL to the late John T. Carlisle and Clara Garrett Carlisle. Ernest retired from International Paper Mill after 44 years of service. He loved his job and was very dedicated to his work.
Ernest was preceded in death on September 30, 2009. by his wife of 59 years, Geraldine V. Carlisle; his parents; and his daughter, Joyce Goodwin.
He is survived by his children, Larry (Debbie) and Bo (Diane) Carlisle; grandchildren, Cory, Mandy, Jay, Kaila, Kim, Amy, Matt and Marshall; a number of great-grandchildren; son-in- law, Larry Goodwin; and numerous other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2014, at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Donald Eugene Butler
July 4, 2014
Donald was born on June 5, 1954, and passed away on June 16, 2014, in Indianapolis, IN. He lived in Walnut Hill from 1996-2010.
Don leaves behind his wife, Glenda Butler, of 17 years; three step-sons, David Haid, John Haid (Joni) and Gregory Haid (Lindsay); seven grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine (Dave), Kris (Scott); six nieces, five nephews and seven great-nephews.
He is preceeded in death by his parents, Edwin and Dorothy Butler; one brother, Charlie and one sister, Gwen.
Services will be held at Barrancas National Cemetary on July 9, 2014, at 11 a.m.
Henry Curtis Tedder “Junior”
July 4, 2014
Henry Curtis Tedder “Junior” was born April 5, 1948, and passed away on June 29, 2014, at his home on Tedder Hill.
He is preceded in death by his parents, James Curtis Tedder and Effie “Della” Ardella Cobb Tedder; and sister, Roda Tedder.
He is survived by his son, Jessie James (Sherrell) Tedder; granddaughters, Mirandra Grice, Autumn Lyell, Storm Lyell and great-granddaughter, Skarlet Boyd; son, George (Jamie) Batz “Shay”, grandchildren, Angel Philyaw, Jasmyn Walker, Austin and Dallas Batz; step-daughter, Cheryl Henderson (Jason) and granddaughters, Stepanie, Kayla, Kimberly and Marilyn; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Kallie and Roger, his “adopted” sons, Jerry Capers and Dwayne Young; a sister, Francess Janett Tedder Lowry; nieces, Suzie, Lisa, Linda, Lisa Hawkins and Sabrina; and nephew, Charles.
“Junior” Tedder was a Veteran of the Marines in the Vietnam War and a POW. He was a truck driver and a logger. He enjoyed motorcycles and loved his family deeply. He was always helping someone out.
We would like to give a special appreciation to his cousin Henry T. Tedder for being his caretaker.
A private memorial will be set at a later date.
Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes is in charge of all arrangements.
Hot, Dry Weather Continues
July 3, 2014
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
- Independence Day unny, with a high near 93. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Saturday Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
- Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Sunday Sunny, with a high near 93. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
- Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
- Monday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
- Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southwest after midnight.
- Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
- Wednesday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92.
- Wednesday Night A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
- Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
Northview FFA Honored For State And National Level Accomplishments
July 3, 2014
The Northview High School FFA was honored by Wednesday for their accomplishments on both the state and national level during the 86th Florida FFA Convention in Orlando.
The Northview FFA was selected as one of Florida’s Finest FFA Chapters for completion of the National Chapter Award program application. Chapters that receive the honor have excelled in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA. The Northview FFA will be among the chapters that will represent Florida at the national level during the National Chapter Award Program in Louisville, KY.
Also Wednesday, the Northview FFA was selected as one of Florida’s Premier FFA Chapters. The Premier Chapter Award was initiated to recognize superior achievement by chapters in agricultural education and the FFA. To be eligible for this award, a chapter must be proficient in several areas, which include alumni and community partnerships, financial planning, and public relations, along with recruitment and other FFA activities.
Pictured top: Outgoing Northview FFA President Courtney Solari and Northview FFA advisor Perry Byars (middle) accept the Florida’s Finest FFA Chapter award Wednesday in Orlando. Pictured inset: Byars and incoming Northview FFA Vice President Bethany Reynolds accept the Florida’s Premier FFA Chapter award on stage during the 86th Florida FFA Convention. NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
Escambia Extension Office Open Again
July 3, 2014
The Escambia County Extension Services office has reopened for regular business.
The office was closed and staff moved to other facilities due to damage from the late April flooding event.
The office is located at 3740 Stefani Road in Cantonment. For more information, call the Escambia County Extension Services office at (850) 475-5230.
Lady Astros Win The Firecracker Classic
July 3, 2014
The Lady Astros softball team won the Firecracker Classic tournament at Exchange Park recently, topping about a dozen other teams from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The Lady Astros got off to a rough start, dropping a couple in pool play, but came back to sweep five in row.
Coach Donnie Nicholson said the team was at their best both offensively and defensively, along with top notch pitching. The tournament team batting average came in around .450, scoring 47 runs while holding opposing teams to 17 runs.
Team members are from Jay, West Florida, Pine Forest, Gulf Breeze and Northview High Schools. They include: Briana Morgan, Jibrasha Moore, Gracie Kilcrease, Farrah Nicholas, Megan Freemon, Sydney Wright, Brooke Lauber, Dana Blackmon, Emily Loring, Briana Rogers, Rebecca Mejia, Kaley Workmon and Hannah Ging. Coaches are Nicholson and Kathy Blackmon.
Pictured: The Lady Astros (top, L-R) Briana Morgan, Jibrasha Moore, Gracie Kilcrease, Farrah Nicholas, Megan Freemon and Sydney Wright, (bottom, L-R) Brooke Lauber, Dana Blackmon, Emily Loring, Briana Rogers and Rebecca Mejia. Not Pictured are Kaley Workmon and Hannah Ging, and coaches Donnie Nicholson and Kathy Blackmon. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.