Pensacola Storm Wins Open State Championship
June 16, 2016
The Pensacola Storm 13-year old Majors team recently competed in the Florida Panhandle 13 Open State Championship in Destin.
On Saturday they beat Team Phenom Navy by a score of 4-3 and the Pace Mudcats by a score of 13-0. On Sunday, they outscored the Niceville Traveling Eagles 6-2 to go to the championship game. The Pensacola Storm’s bats stayed hot and they played outstanding defense and defeated Machine Baseball by a score of 10-1.
This is the fourth state tournament championship out of the five years that the Pensacola Storm has competed. This victory finished up the regular season for the Pensacola Storm with a 36-9 record. The Pensacola Storm will compete in the Wilson DeMarini Elite World Series in Orlando next month.
Pictured: (Bottom, L-R) Bailey Mott, Tanner Rouchon, Josh Turner, Ian Ladieu, Aaron Noack, (top, L-R) Wilson Perkins, Blake Holman, Jordan McCants, Hunter Pierson, Damarius McGhee and Jordan Jarman. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Remain In First Place Despite Loss
June 16, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost for the second straight game but remained tied with the Biloxi Shuckers for first place in the Southern League South Division.
Pensacola managed just two hits off of Mobile starting pitcher Anthony Banda, who threw eight scoreless innings to lead the BayBears to a 2-0 win Wednesday in front of a crowd of 4,340 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly knew that Mobile had some strong arms coming in to the six-game series boasting a 3.40 ERA, which is good for third in the Southern League.
“(Banda) was outstanding,” Kelly said. “We didn’t have many good swings on him. His fastball is very deceptive and he has a very good changeup.”
Pensacola center fielder Phillip Ervin got the first hit by either team in the bottom of the fourth inning on a ground ball past the second baseman into right field. Blue Wahoos shortstop Calten Daal in his first game back from the disabled list got the other hit when he hit a bloop single to right field.
Pensacola first baseman Kyle Parker got a third hit for Pensacola off of Mobile reliever Joey Krehbiel.
In its last six games, the Blue Wahoos are hitting .187 as a team. They’re hitting .244 on the year.
“I think we’ve seen some good pitching,” Kelly said. “We knew it would be tough.”
Banda, the Arizona Diamondbacks No. 14 prospect according to MLB.com, threw a season-high eight innings, gave up a season-low two hits and tied his season-high with nine strikeouts.
Despite Pensacola’s loss it is still deadlocked at 37-28 for the Southern League South Division lead with Biloxi, who fell to Jacksonville, 8-4.
With just five games to play in the first half, including a seven-inning doubleheader that begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Kelly said he likes how his team is playing.
“I mean it’s fun,” Kelly said about battling Biloxi for the first half crown. “I’d rather be in that position than where we were last year—out of contention.”
Raisel Iglesias threw a total of 23 pitches and 18 strikes in two scoreless innings and didn’t allow a hit, while striking out two. Like his first two-inning rehab assignment with Pensacola, he showed a mix of pitches and motions. In his first rehab assignment June 11, Iglesias allowed two hits and struck out two throwing 30 pitches with 22 for strikes.
After five starts with the Cincinnati Reds, including the opening day start, Iglesias went on the disabled list with an impingement in his right shoulder.
Kelly, who played catcher, said Iglesias is scheduled to pitch one more time in Pensacola.
“I saw a little better velocity,” Kelly said. “He was impressive to me tonight.”
In the top of the fifth inning, Mobile catcher Michael Perez earned the BayBears first hit of the game. Perez hit it up the middle and Pensacola second baseman Brandon Dixon dived and knocked it down behind second base. Blue Wahoos shortstop Calten Daal picked it up and threw it away, allowing Mobile third baseman Travis Denker, who led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, to advance to third base and Perez to reach second.
Pensacola pitcher Jackson Stephens got the next two batters to fly out to bring up Mobile pitcher Anthony Banda to the plate. Banda hit a line drive single to left field to get his first RBI of his professional career, scoring Denker for a Mobile lead, 1-0.
Stephens then allowed the first two Mobile hitters to single in the sixth inning but worked out of the jam.
Mobile centerfielder Evan Marzilli tripled to lead off the eighth inning and then scored on right fielder Gabriel Guerrero’s double over Pensacola center fielder Phillip Ervin’s head in dead center for a 2-0 BayBears lead.
In the ninth inning, Pensacola had runners at first and second with the winning run at the plate but couldn’t get a hit.
“We thought Iglesias and Stephens would keep us in the ball game and they did,” Kelly said. “They could have easily blown us out.”
Flags Remain At Half Staff Through Today To Honor Orlando Victims
June 16, 2016
Flags remain at half staff today honoring the victims of the weekend attack in Orlando. Flags are set to be returned to full mast at sunset today, by order of President Barack Obama. Pictured: A flag at half staff in front of the Century Branch Library and the Century Town Hall. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Incumbent McCall Prefiles For Century Mayor
June 15, 2016
Tuesday, incumbent Mayor Freddie McCall pre-filed to seek a third term. McCall, 75, was elected to the Century Town Council in 2004, and was first elected mayor in 2007.
“We have too many good things going in Century right now, and I want to see them through,” McCall said, explaining his decision to seek reelection. “We have accomplished so much in Century, and I don’t want to see someone else mess it up.”
“I am running on my record, and I am looking for a better day in Century,” he said.
In addition to the mayor’s office, two councils seats are also for election in this year’s municipal election in Century.
The town has set qualifying dates for Council Seat 1, currently held by Ann Brooks; Council Seat 2, currently held by Annie Savage; and mayor, currently held by McCall. Qualifying will be open from noon on Monday, June 20 until noon on Friday, June 24.
Interested candidates can qualify at the Supervisor of Elections Office in Pensacola during the week. In additional, a staff member from the Supervisor of Elections Office will be at the Century Town Hall on Wednesday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive qualifying forms.
Council members must be residents of the town, while the town charter requires that the mayor have resided in the town for at least six months.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Fire Departments Respond To Report Of Mobile Home Fire
June 15, 2016
Area fire departments responded to a reported double-wide mobile home fire in the 4100 block of North Highway 95A about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. They arrived to find that an air conditioning unit was the source of smoke.
There was no fire damage, and there were no injuries.
The Cantonment, Molino and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Pace Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the call.
Molino Scouts Hold Flag Retirement Ceremony (With Gallery)
June 15, 2016
Three Boy Scouts unfolded an American Flag Tuesday evening for the last time on the front lawn of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino to present its colors. A group of Scouts gathered around along with their parents and said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag…which was faded, soiled and even torn.
Cubmaster of Pack 430, Kevin Danforth, said the flag was first used to cover a coffin during a military funeral, and it was then flown in front of the church for several months. Now it was time for the tattered flag to be retired — burned after being cut into pieces of cloth. Quietly, the scouts cut the flag, leaving leaving the blue star field intact to symbolize an unbroken union.
“It ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces,” Danforth said.
Then the flag was placed, blue star field first followed by the stripes, into a fire burning in a half barrel. The crowd watched as the fire consumed the flag remnants, and they sang “God Bless America”. The scouts then cut numerous other worn American Flags into pieces which were also incinerated.
The flag retirement ceremony is a way American flags can be retired when they’re too worn to fly, according to the U.S. Flag Code, a set of guidelines on treating the nation’s flag respectfully.
Tuesday was Flag Day.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
More Showers And Storms
June 15, 2016
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. West wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light west wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind around 5 mph.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
McDavid Man Arrested For Burglary, Meth
June 15, 2016
A McDavid man has been arrested for a Flomaton burglary and on multiple drug charges.
Faron Ray Wilson, 24, was arrested for a 2015 burglary on Bridlepath Lane in Flomaton. When he was taken into custody at a home on Poplar Street, Flomaton Police reported that Wilson was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to Flomaton Police.
Wilson was charged with unlawful posession of a controlled substance – methamphetamines, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, third degree burglary and second degree theft of property. He was booked into the Escambia County (AL) Detention Center in Brewton. He was also being held on an outstanding arrest warrant for Florida.
Flomaton Police are continuing to investigate the burglary, and Chief Bryan Davis said more arrests are likely.
Bicyclist Hit By Vehicle
June 15, 2016
A bicyclist was struck be a vehicle Tuesday night near Cottage Hill. The accident was reported about 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 95A and Cedertree Lane. Injuries to the bicyclist were not believed to be serious. The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Tied For First After Loss To Montgomery
June 15, 2016
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are in the race for the first half Southern League South Division crown headed into its last series that starts Wednesday against the rival Mobile BayBears.
It’s only the second time the ball club has been in first place headed into the last series of the half since its inception five years ago. The other was the second half of last year.
Pensacola, which is six-for-six in series wins at home, is now 37-27 and tied for first with the Biloxi Shuckers. They beat the Birmingham Barons and end their season with a five-game series on the road against the Jacksonville Suns.
“I like our position,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly in his second year heading the club. “It’s a lot better than seven other teams in the league right now. It’s much more exciting to be playing for something in the last series.”
The Montgomery Biscuits escaped with a win in the final game of the series, 7-1, Tuesday in front of 3,532 fans at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Pensacola and Biloxi have shared first place all season this year. In 2015, the second half was decided in the next to last game of the season when Pensacola beat Mobile to win the division and play Biloxi in the South Division playoffs, which the Shuckers ended up winning.
“Mobile will be a tough series,” Kelly said. “They have good pitching and a very good bullpen. We have to win as many as we can in those six games.”
Pensacola and Mobile are playing six games to make up a rain out in the last game of the series at Hank Aaron Stadium.
On Tuesday night, Montgomery put the game away in the seventh inning by sending 10 hitters to the plate and scoring five runs on five hits. Biscuits Tommy Coyle scored the first run when he doubled, reached third on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Jake DePew and then scored on a squeeze play by Biscuits shortstop Juniel Querecuto to make the score 3-0.
The big hit came from Montgomery third baseman Patrick Leonard who smacked a one-out line drive to right center with the bases loaded, scoring all three runners on to put the Biscuits ahead, 6-0. Leonard scored the final run of the inning when second baseman Kean Wong singled to center to extend Montgomery’s lead, 7-0.
The big inning in the seventh might have been prevented, if reliever El’Hajj Muhammad cleanly fielded a bunt down the third base line by Montgomery catcher Jake DePew and then thrown Querecuto out at first, instead of throwing home late trying to get Coyle.
Pensacola right-hander Nick Travieso and pitching coach Danny Darwin have been working on his delivery. It seemed to pay off as he threw six innings and allowed two runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out five. In his past three starts, Travieso had given up 12 runs, 10 earned in 12.2 innings.
“It was nice to see him get back on track,” Kelly said.
Travieso did labor in the fourth inning giving up two runs to Montgomery on one hit, one hit batter, two walks and two wild pitches. He hit the Biscuits’ Leonard with a 90 mph fastball to lead off the fourth. Leonard then took second on a wild pitch. Travieso then walked Montgomery DH Mike Marjama and both he and Leonard advanced on another wild pitch. Montgomery center fielder Tommy Coyle, batting .126, reached his bat out and sent the ball into right field that scored Leonard and Marjama to put the Biscuits on top, 2-0.
Meanwhile, Biscuits right-hander Taylor Guerrieri, the Tampa Bay No. 6 prospect, threw five scoreless innings to improve to 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA. He allowed just three hits, one walk and struck out four Pensacola batters.
Kelly said Guerrieri threw a cutter that broke six-to-eight inches, keeping the Pensacola batters off balance.
“He was very effective,” Kelly said.