Wahoos Capture Series With Braves
August 22, 2016
If the first half champion Pensacola Blue Wahoos and the second half frontrunner Mississippi Braves meet in the Southern League South Division playoffs in 15 days, fans can expect lots of excitement.
The Blue Wahoos won Sunday’s game, 6-3, over Mississippi to capture the final series on the road at Trustmark Park, 3-2.
On the season, Pensacola ended up winning the matchup, 12-8. The teams played seven extra-inning games, with the Blue Wahoos winning four of those contests.
Wait! There’s more. How evenly matched are the possible South Division playoff teams? Of the 20 games this season, 10 were decided by one run and four were decided by two runs.
Sunday’s game was atypical of the clubs’ season-long battles. Scoring only one run on three hits to trail Mississippi, 2-1, after seven innings, Pensacola scored four runs in the eighth inning on five hits, including a double, and a walk and sent eight batters to the plate.
Pensacola went ahead, 5-2 when Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej singled in the eighth inning to drive in right fielder Sebastian Elizalde with the first run of the inning that tied the game, 2-2. With two outs, Pensacola third baseman Taylor Sparks doubled in center fielder Brandon Dixon and first baseman Eric Jagielo to put the Blue Wahoos on top, 4-2. Pensacola catcher Chad Wallach then hit a line drive single to centerfield to score Sparks giving the Blue Wahoos a 5-2 lead.
Elizalde extended Pensacola’s lead to 6-2 in the top of the ninth when he doubled in second baseman Alex Blandino, who hit a lead-off single.
Mississippi had jumped on top in the second inning when right fielder Stephen Gaylor singled to knock in both catcher Joseph Odom and center fielder Connor Lien to put the Braves ahead, 2-0.
Besides being evenly matched, both teams also boast the top two pitching teams in the Southern League. Mississippi boasts a 3.05 team ERA, while Pensacola has a 3.20 ERA.
That good pitching was on full display again Sunday.
Pensacola right-handed starter Nick Travieso worked six innings, allowing two runs, one earned on eight hits, two walks and he struck out eight.
Meanwhile, Mississippi starter Lucas Smith also lasted six innings, allowing one run on three hits and four walks, while striking out seven.
On offense for Pensacola Sunday, Pensacola’s Dixon led the way, going 3-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Dixon went 10-18 with three doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs in the five-game series. He now has 24 multi-hit games for the Blue Wahoos this season.
Elizalde also was 3-5 Sunday with a double, two runs scored and one RBI. For the series, he was 9-22 and upped his multi-hit games to a team-leading 27.
Heading into the final three series of the season, Pensacola is 28-27 and sits in third place in the Southern League South Division, 5.5 games behind South Division front-runner Mississippi, which is 33-21 in the second half. Overall, Pensacola is 69-56 this season, while Mississippi is 67-56.
Driver Side-Swipes Bridge
August 21, 2016
A driver escaped injury early Sunday morning when they side-swiped the railing on the Quintette Road Bridge over the Escambia River between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
The 4:30 a.m. crash is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Santa Rosa County EMS were among the first responders.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbout, click to enlarge.
Two Injured In Highway 29 Crash Near Molino
August 21, 2016
Two people were injured in a two vehicle crash near Molino Sunday morning.
The accident happened about 7 a.m. when 23-year old Melanie Keesler pulled away from a stop sign on Barrineau Park Road in her Chrysler Sebring onto Highway 29 and into the path of Toyota Yaris driven by 48-year old Mark Mollere of Cantonment, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Both victims were transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital with serious injuries. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.
The FHP cited Keesler with failure to yield.
The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Tate Showband Of The South Members Working Their Way To Hawaii
August 21, 2016
The Tate High School Showband of the South held car washes in five Cantonment area locations Saturday as they continue to raise money for a very special trip to Hawaii.
The band is headed to Hawaii in December to take part in the 75th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Mass Band. They will join bands from around the United States and Japan in a concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The mass band, including the Tate Showband, will perform on the pier of the U.S.S Battleship Missouri in a worldwide live webcast “Gift of Music” concert on December 7, 2016.
The Tate High Wind Ensemble has taken part in the Pearl Harbor event at Naval Air Station Pensacola for at least 10 years, making the Pearl Harbor trip a natural fit.
The trip was announced more than a year in advance to give the Band Boosters and band members a chance to raise the funds needed for the 215 member band.
In recent years the Tate Showband took part in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade and ventured to Washington, D.C. The band has taken part in many major venues, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl parades and even a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.
Pictured: Tate Showband of the South members washed cars at five different locations in the Cantonment area Saturday to raise money for an upcoming trip to Hawaii.Photos for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured bottom: The Tate Wind Ensemble performs during the Pearl Harbor ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
A Few More Showers For Sunday
August 21, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. West wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.
Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Saturday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
No Injuries In Cantonment Highway 29 Crash
August 21, 2016
There were no injuries during at two vehicle crash Saturday on Highway 29 near Well Line Road. An infant and toddler passengers in the crash were properly restrained. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Faithful Gather To Pray For Area Law Enforcement
August 21, 2016
Church members from throughout the community met Saturday outside the Pensacola Police Department Saturday and pray for law enforcement personnel.
The non-denominational event brought together a diverse crowd that stood shoulder to shoulder with officers, praying for their safety and protection. They also prayed for support staff and even the families of oficers.
Organizers are also hoping that people unable to attend the event will set aside a few minutes during the day to pray for law enforcement personnel. And, as another way of showing support, people are encouraged to pray for an officer if they see one in public either by approaching the officer and asking if they can pray for them, or by saying a private prayer.
Sunny Days: Growing Sunflowers
August 21, 2016
by the UF/IFAS Extension Service
Sunflowers not only make the garden beautiful but can also be used to bring the beauty of outdoors inside.
It may be towards the end of summer, but you can still plant sunflowers and enjoy them during the fall. In north Florida, try to complete sunflower planting by the third week in August. Depending on the variety, sunflowers will bloom about 55 to 75 days after planting – 60 days is a good average. Some sunflowers are sensitive to day length and may yield shorter plants and earlier bloom when planted in late summer. This corresponds to the reduction in daylight hours as summer progresses toward autumn.
To begin, choose cultivars that fit your landscape. There are now more sunflowers than just the seed bearing giants that many gardeners are familiar with. Just take a look at the gardening catalogs.
Sunflowers can be broadly divided into two types: those grown for production of edible seeds and those grown as ornamentals and cut flowers. Most gardeners will be interested in the ornamental sunflowers, also known as Helianthus annuus.
Sunflowers come in heights ranging from less than one foot to ten feet and also come in a wide range of flower colors. While brilliant yellow will always be popular, you can also choose from creamy white, bronze, mahogany, rusty red, burgundy and orange. Some types produce flowers with more than one color. The center disk of the sunflower also adds to the display and goes through color changes as the flower matures and seeds form.
Sunbright, Sunrich Lemon, Sunrich Orange, Soraya and Moulin Rouge are some that are recommended for Florida.
For best bouquet results, choose cultivars that are pollen-less to prevent pollen from shedding onto a tablecloth or other flowers in an arrangement.
If you want to grow sunflowers for the delicious, nutritious seeds, make sure you choose varieties bred for seed production, such as Mammoth Russian – also known as Mammoth, Russian Giant and Gray Stripe. These tall-growing sunflowers produce a single enormous flower at the top of the plant. To grow a really big seed head, apply general-purpose fertilizer when the flower head begins to appear. Just be sure to place them so that you can stake them if necessary.
Sunflowers are true to their name, they need to be grown in full sun. Prepare a sunflower bed as you would for planting most vegetables. They tolerate heat and dry conditions and almost any soil type. The pH preference is 6.5 to 7.5 and the addition of composted organic matter is beneficial.
Plant seeds about one-quarter inch deep directly into a prepared garden bed. It’s common to plant sunflowers into landscape beds, and many gardeners include a row of sunflowers in spring and fall vegetable gardens. After sowing the seeds, water the bed well and thesun water it as needed to keep the soil moist – even lightly every day if the weather is dry.
Sunflowers should be harvested in early morning before 10:00 a.m. It is best to cut the stems and place them in warm water right away for best results.
The versatility and variety of today’s sunflowers offer something for almost every garden and gardener. If you haven’t tried this plant lately, give it another look.
Escambia County Seeks Volunteers For Health Council
August 21, 2016
The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, or BCC, is seeking Escambia County residents interested in volunteering to be considered for appointments to the Northwest Florida Health Council, also known as the Northwest Florida Big Bend Health Council.
Escambia County residents interested in serving on the Northwest Florida Health Council are asked to submit a resume and letter indicating their desire to serve by the close of business on Friday, Sept. 2. Resumes should be submitted to Judy Witterstaeter, Program Coordinator; Board of County Commissioners, P.O. Box 1591, Pensacola, FL 32502, or emailed to jhwitter@myescambia.com.
Pursuant to Florida Statute 408.033, this local health council was established in accordance with the Health Facilities and Services Development Act as a private nonprofit organization serving Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. The council serves to assist the state of Florida with planning for health facilities and services, providing a health data repository and helping counties and local communities to obtain better health care. Based on a rotating formula, the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners appoints six members to the council.
Local health councils develop district health plans containing data, develop hospital and nursing home utilization reports for the Agency for Health Care Administration, and provide analysis and recommendations that relate to health care status and needs in the community. The recommendations are designed to improve access to health care, reduce disparities in health status, assist state and local governments in the development of sound and rational health care policies and advocate on behalf of the underserved.
The council meets once per quarter or at the call of the president and chief operating officer. Meetings typically begin at 12:15 p.m. and last one to 1 1/2 hours.
Qualifications: The appointees shall be representatives of health care providers, health care purchasers and nongovernmental health care consumers, but not excluding elected government officials. The members of the consumer group shall include a representative number of persons over 60 years of age. A majority of council members shall consist of health care purchasers and health care consumers. Each member shall serve a two-year term effective Oct. 1 of the appointment year and ending Sept. 30 of the year the term expires.
Wahoos, Braves Go 16 Innings
August 21, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Sal Romano and Mississippi Braves Max Povse both threw eight scoreless innings and then their bullpens took over and continued the shutout for another seven innings.
In the 16th inning, left fielder Phillip Ervin scored the first run of the game when he doubled and scored on center fielder Brandon Dixon’s single to right field to give the Pensacola a 1-0 lead. The Blue Wahoos brought in closer Alejandro Chacin, the Southern League saves leader with 24.
Chacin, however blew his fifth save opportunity of the season, giving up a bases loaded walk to Mississippi’s leading hitter Dustin Peterson with one out to allow the Braves to earn a 2-1 victory in the bottom of the 16th inning at Trustmark Park. It was the longest game of the season for Pensacola.
The Braves came right in its half of the inning with a lead-off walk by center fielder Connor Lien and then a single by third baseman Levi Hyams to put runners on first and second with no outs. Mississippi right fielder Stephen Gaylor bunted and Pensacola’s Skipworth overthrew first base to allow Lien to score tying the game, 1-1.
Chacin intentionally walked Mississippi second baseman Ozzie Albies to load the bases with no outs. After a pop out, Peterson walked for the Braves win.
Pensacola had chances to score in both inning 14 and 15. Pensacola loaded the bases in the 15th with one out but Braves reliever Akeel Morris struck out the final two batters of the inning to end the threat.
In the top of inning 14, Pensacola second baseman Alex Blandino tried to score from second base on Dixon’s sharp line drive single to center field but Mississippi’s Lien nailed Blandino at home plate.
Before winning the game in the 16th inning, Mississippi’s Peterson had launched a deep fly ball in the 12th inning that Pensacola’s Ervin caught with his back against the left field wall.
Mississippi and Pensacola have a knack for playing extra-inning games this year, going extra innings seven times. The clubs have now played 16, 14, 13, 11, two 10-inning games and extra innings Friday in a seven-inning doubleheader. The Blue Wahoos won four of the seven games and is 10-6 in extra-inning games this season.
Pensacola longest game this season had been its 14 inning duel against Mississippi on Aug. 4. It also played 14 innings June 9 against the Jackson Generals.
The 16-inning saga Saturday got off to an excellent start by both Romano and Povse.
Povse threw a no-hitter against Pensacola through five innings, while Blue Wahoos starter Sal Romano allowed just four hits through six scoreless innings.
The 22-year-old Povse started his first game for the Braves July 9 against the Mobile BayBears and got one of his four wins July 31 against Pensacola when he worked six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, while striking out six.
Romano broke up the no-hitter Saturday in the sixth with a ground ball to left field. It snapped Povse’s streak of retiring 12 straight hitters.
The second Blue Wahoos hit came on Dixon’s infield single to third base in the seventh inning. Dixon went 4-6 with an RBI to lead Pensacola at the plate Saturday.
In all, Pensacola put four runners on base off of Povse with Ervin reaching on an error in the first inning. Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej walked in the second inning.
Povse ended up pitching eight shutout innings allowing two hits, walking one and striking out five. The righty lowered his ERA from 2.91 to 2.45.
Romano not only used his bat but matched Povse’s goose eggs throwing eight scoreless innings, too. He gave up just four hits, no walks and struck out eight. The big righty has 127 strike outs on the year, which is second in the Southern League.
Jake Ehret relieved Romano and struck out the side in the ninth inning to send the two teams into their seventh extra-inning battle of the season.
Pensacola dropped to 27-27 and is in third place in the Southern League South Division, 6.5 games behind South Division frontrunner Mississippi, which improved to 33-20 in the second half.