Tate Wins District Title; Jay Falls To South Walton
April 16, 2016
Tate 7, Pace 2
For the third year in a row, the Tate Lady Aggies won the District 1-7A title Friday night 7-2 over Pace at Escambia High School.
Savannah Rowell recorded 10 strike outs in seven innings and allowed just two runs and seven hits. Rowell was also 2-4 with two RBIs and run. Savannah Ullrich and Hannah Brown bother homered for the Lady Aggies.
Other Tate hitters — Hannah Brown 3-3 HR, 2 RBIs, 2 R; Savannah Rowell 2-4 2 RBIs, R; Savannah Ullrich 1-2 HR, 2 RBIs, R.
Tate will host Milton on Wednesday in regional action, while Pace will hit the road to Niceville.
South Walton 3, Jay 1
The Jay Lady Royals lost Friday night 3-1 to South Walton at Northview in the Lady Royal’s sixth consecutive appearance inthe District 3-1A title game.
Destiny Herring pitched seven innings for Jay, allowing three runs, eight hits and striking out three. Micheala Stewart was 1-3 with a run for Jay.
Jay will travel Thursday night to Franklin County for the regional semi-finals.
Pictured top: The Tate Lady Aggies celebrate their district championship win Friday night. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Scott: Area’s Unemployment Drops
April 16, 2016
Gov. Rick Scott announced Friday that the Pensacola area added 4,300 new private-sector jobs over the year in March. The area’s unemployment rate declined by 0.7 percentage point over the year to 4.6 percent in March.
Scott said, “I am proud to announce that the Pensacola area added more than 4,000 new jobs this year and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.6 percent. We want Florida to become first for jobs, which is why we worked to cut more than $1 billion in taxes in the past two years and why we will continue to do all we can to support job growth in Florida.”
The industry with the largest job gains in the Pensacola area over the year in March was leisure and hospitality with 1,000 new jobs. The Pensacola area had 4,866 job openings in March, including 1,219 openings for high-wage, high-skill, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations.
West Florida Lady Jags Win District Championship
April 16, 2016
The West Florida Lady Jaguars shut out Gulf Breeze 4-0 for the District 1-6A championship Friday night.
Sarah Nicholas pitched seven for the Lady Jags, allowing three hits and striking out five. Lauren Carnley was 2-4 with a single, a double, three RBIs and a run scored for West Florida, while Jibrashia Moore was 2-3 with a walk and two runs scores. Bri Morgan was 1-3 with a sacrifice bunt.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Gary Carnley, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Beat Jacksonville
April 16, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos first baseman Ray Chang said when he stepped into the on-deck circle, he had a serious case of de ja vu.
Less than a year ago on June 10, the 32-year-old minor league veteran hit a walk-off single to defeat the Jacksonville Suns.
He did it again last night with a single to right field to score catcher Chad Wallach from third base with one out in the 11th inning, giving Pensacola a, 4-3, victory Friday over Jacksonville at Blue Wahoos Stadium. It’s the first time in the Blue Wahoos’ five-year history that it has won the first two five-game series.
Pensacola is 3-1 against the Suns and sits atop the Southern League South Division at 7-2. Jacksonville fell to 5-4.
Chang, who’s hitting .294, nearly froze to death after his walk-off hit getting doused in cold water three times. It was the third walk-off in his career. He said the feeling of hitting a walk-off never gets old.
“Never. Absolutely never,” Chang said after the game. “That’s an awesome feeling.”
Chang’s walk-off was set up by smart base running by Wallach. He took off for second when Suns’ closer Victor Araujo bounced one in the dirt and ended up on third when catcher Francisco Arcia threw the ball into right-center field.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly said Chang was just the person he wanted at the plate.
“I love him being up in that situation with his experience,” Kelly said. “Chang was clutch again.”
In the 10th inning, the Blue Wahoos loaded the bases against Araujo with two outs but he struck out Pensacola’s Brandon Dixon to get out of the inning.
Chang said the mood of the 2016 team compared to last year’s team is “180-degrees different.” He added, “We got off to a really slow beginning last year. We’ve got some serious chemistry going on here.”
Interestingly, Wallach scored the Blue Wahoos last two runs. He smashed a two-run homer to right field — the team’s third home run of the season — that put the Blue Wahoos up, 3-0, in the second inning.
“Chad’s got the power to go to the opposite field,” Kelly said. “In this park, I don’t care which way the wind is blowing, that’s a big home run.”
The Blue Wahoos went up, 1-0, in the first when Beau Amaral walked and then scored when left fielder Tony Renda, ripped a single to center field.
However, Jacksonville clawed its way back scoring one run in the sixth, seventh and eighth to tie the game, 3-3. In the eighth, Suns first baseman Brady Shoemaker singled into right field with one out to score right fielder Jeremias Pineda with the tying run.
Jacksonville had a golden opportunity to win the game in the ninth inning when it loaded the bases but Austin Dean hit a chopper to Pensacola third baseman Eric Jagielo, who quickly threw to home plate to force out second baseman Peter Mooney. With the bases still loaded and two out, Shoemaker hit a grounder to Jagielo who stepped on the third base bag to end the scoring threat.
Meanwhile, the Wahoos bats went silent as Jacksonville relievers set down 16 Pensacola hitters in a row from the fourth inning until Chad Wallach earned an infield single that ricocheted off the first baseman in the ninth inning. In fact, Suns relievers Scott Lyman, Tyler Kinley and Sean Donatello combined to pitch 5.2 innings of no-hit, no-run ball until Wallach’s hit.
Pensacola pitcher Jackson Stephens, who got the Suns side out four times in six innings, pitched 5.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
Kenneth Ray Barnett
April 16, 2016
Kenneth Ray Barnett, 83 of Atmore, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2016, in Atmore. He was a pharmacist and was owner and operator of Escambia Drug Store. He was born in Wallace, AL on March 18, 1933, to the late Henry and Stella Trawick Barnett. He was a graduate of Auburn University. He also enjoyed his farm.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy Jones Barnett; two sons, James Michael Barnett and Wayne Barnett; one daughter, Kim (Ron) Tatum, all of Atmore; one brother, James (Beverly) Barnett of Barnett’s Crossroads; grandchildren, Audra Tatum, Olivia Tatum, Evan Tatum, and Carson Barnett.
Graveside services were held Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 2 p.m. from Oak Hill Cemetery, with Bro. Jimmy Dukes officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Alma V. Polk Shea
April 16, 2016
Alma V.(Polk) Shea, age 91of Pensacola, passed away on April 10, 2016, in Fayetteville, GA. She was born in Jay on March 16, 1925. Alma was the beloved daughter of Mary V. Polk and Seth Wright of Jay.
Alma was preceded by her daughters, Linda White and Amanda Shea; as well as her three brothers and sister.
Alma leaves behind her beloved daughters, Carolyn Howchick, Janice Polk, Donna Bergeron, Sandi Nell and Miranda Cruce. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Alma also had many talents. She worked as a commercial artist and was a published songwriter. During World War II she worked as a master welder in the Mobile Shipyards. In her later years, she enjoyed painting beach scenes and flower bouquets. Alma always talked about the mocking birds and whippoorwills and they will remind us of her and her love of birds and all animals. She will be dearly missed.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Jay Funeral Home.
Burial was in the Concord Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Jay.
Thomas Elliott Little
April 16, 2016
Thomas Elliott Little, age 67, passed away on April 10, 2016. He was born on February 17, 1949, in Milton to Charles and Virginia Little. Tommy graduated from Milton High School and went into the plumbing industry. In 1975, Tommy married the love of his life, Luvenia Owens. With that marriage he also gained his daughter, Denia Little.
As a life-long resident of Milton, Tommy’s hobbies included hunting, fishing and camping. He also loved to go to the Smoky Mountains and shared many trips with his wife. Tommy was an avid gardener, learning many tricks and tips from his beloved grandmother.
Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Little and Virginia (Gove) Little; his wife, Luvenia “Lulu” Little; his brother, Robert Little and his grandmother, Louise Pendleton.
He is survived by his daughter Denia, and her husband Michael Sanford; brother, Richard and his wife Bessie Little; sister-in-law, Belinda Phillips; and brother-in-law, Erby Rowley. Tommy is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Not related by blood but by choice and love, Tommy will be missed by his best friends, Ray Sweeny and Michael Hall.
His daughter and son-in-law would like to thank family and friends for their support in Tommy’s last difficult days. We would also like to say a special thank you to Emerald Coast Hospice for their much needed and valued help.
Following Tommy’s wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes will be joined with his wife’s.
A memorial service was held Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Full Gospel Community Church.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Kathryn Esneul Lowery
April 16, 2016
Kathryn Esneul Lowery, 94 of Atmore, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at her residence. She was owner and operator of Lowery’s Drive-In. She was born in Atmore on April 11, 1922, to the late Hugo Eugene and Essie Brooks Esneul.
She had worked for Dee Gibbs, and was an active Member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore.
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Charles Lowery; and siblings, Hugo Esneul, Jerome Esneul and Virginia Esneul Hoomes.
Survivors include one son, William H. (Kathy Lee) Lowery of Albuquerque, N.M; one daughter, Kathy Lowery (Scott) Vinson of Pensacola; and many friends.
Services were held Friday, April 15, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Atmore with Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc in charge of all arrangements.
Ethel Luverne Norton
April 16, 2016
Ethel Luverne Norton, 101 of Atmore, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Atmore. She was a homemaker. She was born in McCullough on November 1, 1914, to the late James Bryant and Lillie Hall Smith. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Atmore, the McCullough Friendship Club and the First Baptist Church Domino Club.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Lloyd Norton; two sisters, Erma Rigby and Ira Biggs; and one brother, Alton Smith.
Survivors include one son, James Lloyd (Peggy) Norton of Atmore; one daughter, Iris (Donald) smith of Gulf Breeze; nine grandchildren and numerous great and great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Arnold Hendrix officiating.
Interment was in McCullough Cemetery.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Joe Frank McGhee
April 16, 2016
Joe Frank McGhee, 70 of Atmore, passed away Thursday, April 14, 2016, in Atmore. He was a truck driver for many years. He was born in Atmore on May 27, 1945, to the late Kinzy and Ethel McGhee. He was a member of United Pentecostal Church of Atmore, and a member of Poarch Creek Indians.
He is preceded in death by a brother, Raymond McGhee; and a sister, Willie Lois McGhee Fore.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Rackard McGhee of Atmore; two sons, Kendall (Karen) McGhee of Perdido and Chet (Natalie) McGhee of Mt. Juliet, TN; three sisters, Mary Gibbs and Carolyn Rackard both of Atmore and Betty (Gene) Sheppard of Dothan; grandchildren, Kody McGhee, Keegan McGhee, Caroline McGhee and Georgia McGhee.
Services were held Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Derick Gobert officiating.
Interment will follow in New Home Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be his nephews.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc is in charge of all arrangements.