Wahoos End Series With 3-1 Finale Win Over Smokies
May 22, 2023
On their Throwback Sunday, the Blue Wahoos returned to a narrative that’s worked well in the past.
They got solid starting pitching, put together just enough runs, then had their bullpen show its winning depth in the Blue Wahoos’ 3-1 victory against the Tennessee Smokies at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
With closer Sean Reynolds earning his league-best seventh save, thus pounding his glove in delight after recording the final pop out, this win enabled the Blue Wahoos (25-13) to gain a split in the six-game homestand with the Smokies and increase their first-place lead to five games in the Southern League South Division.
A crowd of 4,202 took a cue from famed organist Nancy Faust, who worked 41 years and missed just five games as the iconic Chicago White Sox entertainer. They clapped and sang along with her various medleys as the Blue Wahoos took a 3-1 lead in the fifth and played good defense the rest of the way.
Faust got one of the loudest cheers when announced for a final time in the ninth inning.
Pensacola’s winning inning occurred in a strange way. After J.D. Orr led off the fifth inning with a walk, José Devers laced a one-out single. Dane Myers drew a walk and Victor Mesa Jr. battled his way with foul balls and good takes to draw a bases-loaded walk to score Orr.
Troy Johnson then took a curveball in the back to force in the third run. A double-play ball by Will Banfield ended the inning with the 3-1 lead. The Blue Wahoos got their first run when Dane Myers tripled home José Devers in the first inning.
The Blue Wahoos had numerous other scoring chances in the game, but couldn’t break it open.
But their pitching Sunday was outstanding against the Smokies, the Chicago Cubs’ Double-A affiliate and North Division leaders.
Blue Wahoos righthander M.D. Johnson, making his second start of the week, grinded through four innings. He gave up a leadoff walk against Andy Weber, who came around to score the game’s first run on two-out single by Cole Roederer.
But the rest of the way, Johnson found a way to get through innings.
He threw 82 pitches, yielded three walks and struck out five in those four innings. His best inning was his final one when he gave up a leadoff single, then a walk, but retired the next three batters with a pair of strikeouts and inning-ending flyout.
Cristian Charle and Josan Méndez followed with three scoreless innings of relief. They combined to allow just one hit and had a trio of strikeouts.
That set the table for Reynolds to finish the game and seal the win.
The Smokies had just four baserunners in the final five innings.
Following the game, as is customary on Sunday, children were able to run the bases and families played catch in the outfield.
The Blue Wahoos will have Monday off before embarking on a two-week road trip to face the Mississippi Braves and Biloxi Shuckers.
The series against the M-Braves begins on Tuesday at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi. The Blue Wahoos’ ace Patrick Monteverde (5-0, 1.29 ERA) is the scheduled starter against the M-Braves Luis De Avila (1-3, 4.00). The teams will play through Sunday, May 28.
After a rough start, the M-Braves (16-21), the Atlanta Braves’ Double-A affiliate, have turned things around. They were 7-3 in their last 10 games entering Sunday. It will be the Blue Wahoos’ first of two trips this season to Pearl, Miss.
Following that series, the Blue Wahoos will travel to Biloxi, Mississippi to face the Biloxi Shuckers for six games beginning on May 29.
by Erik Bremer, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
James (Pud) Benjamin King, Jr.
May 22, 2023
James (Pud) Benjamin King, Jr., passed away on May 16, 2023, at the age of 65. James was born December 3, 1957, in Atmore, AL, to James King, Sr. and Ruby Scott King of Molino, FL. James graduated from Tate High School in 1975. He was employed at the local paper mill for 38½ years.
His career at the paper mill was his passion, but outside of work, there were three things he always enjoyed doing. Catfishing, dove hunting and watching the weather channel on two different TVs, at the same time. He was always quick to call friends and family to warn them of impending bad weather.
James is preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Ruby King.
James leaves behind his daughter, Christa (Will) Wilson; grandchildren, Jordan Jade and Cooper Gage Wilson; three brothers, Larry, Frankie and Guy King; three sisters, Catherine Wilson, Marie (Tootie) Faircloth, and Daisy (Merlene) Bruce; numerous nieces, nephews, countless friends, coworkers and people that were very special to him. Also his beloved companion, his cat, Chevy.
Funeral Service will be Saturday, May 27, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North. Pastor John Daniels will be officiating. Visitation will be from 1:30 until the service. Interment will be in Pine Barren Creek Cemetery.
Pallbearers in attendance will be Will Wilson, Conrad Micari, Stephen Perry, Jasey Gibson, Mark Lewis, Dustin Gibson, Greye Rynders and Michael Faircloth.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home Nort is entrusted with arrangements.
Flomaton Man Charged With Trafficking Meth Into The Escambia, Florida Jail
May 21, 2023
A Flomaton man was charged with allegedly introducing a trafficking amount of meth into the Escambia County (FL) Jail.
Caleb Eli Turk, 31, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and introduction of a controlled substance into a detention facility.
Turk was arrested in Florida on an outstanding warrant from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama. He was searched and transported by a Florida deputy to the jail in Pensacola.
The deputy notated that Turk was fidgeting on the left side of his body during the transport. At the jail, the deputy again asked if there was “anything on him”, but he replied “no”, according to an arrest report. A jail corrections officer found a plastic bag containing 21.4 grams of meth concealed in his waistband, the report states.
Turk’s bond on the Florida charges was set at $15,000. He remained in the Escambia County (FL) Jail awaiting extradition.
Good Rain Chance For Monday
May 21, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. North wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the evening.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 84.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Beulah Middle Holding 6th Grade Open House On Wednesday
May 21, 2023
Beulah Middle School will hold a Sixth Grade Open House on Wednesday, May 24.
Incoming sixth graders are welcome to attend the open house for a quick tour of the school, a chance to meet with club and sport sponsors, and learn more about what Beulah Middle School has to offer.
Attendees are asked to arrive at the cafeteria at 6001 West Nine Mile Road. The event will be from 11 a.m. until noon.
Tate High Class of 1963 Holds 60th Class Reunion (With Gallery)
May 21, 2023
Thirty members of the Tate High School Class of 1963 held their 60th class reunion Saturday at the Barrineau Park Community Center.
Photos courtesy Bonnie Exner for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Here Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Areas
May 21, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 21 through Saturday, May 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping work. On Tuesday, May 23, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until summer when the Welcome Center improvements are complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to East of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit on this section of East Nine Mile Road has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles will share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete next summer.
- · Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) Resurfacing from Brent Lane (State Road (S.R.) 296) to North of I-10 – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and intermittent turn lane closures Sunday, May 21 through Thursday, May 25 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews place thermoplastic pavement markings on the roadway.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from North of U.S. 98 to East of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter shoulder and lane closures on Lillian Highway, between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, Monday, May 22 through Friday, May 26 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will be performing drainage and shoulder construction.
- Navy Boulevard (S.R. 295) Resurfacing from North of the Bayou Grande Bridge to Gulf Beach Highway/Barrancas Avenue (S.R. 292) – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts on Navy Boulevard Friday, May 19 through Friday, May 26.
- Alternating nighttime lane closures, from Barrancas Avenue to the Bayou Grande Bridge, between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. as crews mill and resurface the roadway.
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- Daytime lane closures from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Sunset Avenue, Winthrop Avenue and Barrancas Avenue intersections for signalization work.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Drivers on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) will encounter a lane shift and lane closures through May. The two U.S. 29 northbound travel lanes and the center turn lane will be closed between Hatties Boulevard and East Cottage Street. During the closure, one northbound and one southbound lane will remain open using the current southbound travel lanes. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- I-10 Coring Operations near Interstate 110 – Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures Monday, May 22 through Thursday, May 25 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for coring operations.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 (S.R. 30/Gulf Breeze Parkway/Navarre Parkway) Resurfacing of select areas from Abercrombie Road to Calle De Palencia Street - Drivers on U.S. 98 (Navarre Parkway), between S.R. 87 and Calle De Palencia Street, may encounter intermittent nightly lane closures from Friday, May 19 through Thursday, May 25 from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform construction activities.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, May 21 through Saturday, May 27 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping work. On Tuesday, May 23, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – Widening of the westbound bridge over Simpson River has been completed. The westbound structure now supports two westbound lanes, two eastbound lanes, and dedicated bike lanes. Drivers may encounter temporary and intermittent lane closures on the bridge for crews to address any maintenance issues that may arise. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road Sunday, May 21 through Friday, May 26, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- Beginning the week of Sunday, May 21, eastbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from west of College Parkway to east of Portside Drive as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities.
- Beginning the week of Sunday, May 21, westbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from east of Portside Drive to Green Briar Parkway as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, May 22 through Friday, May 26 for paving operations.
- I-10 Routine Underground Utility Maintenance at the S.A. Jones Road Overpass – Motorists will encounter alternating lane closures Wednesday, May 24 starting at 8 a.m. to install cable.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather
Oliver Howard Lowery, Sr.
May 21, 2023
Oliver Howard Lowery, Sr., 74, of Cantonment, Florida passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023. He was born in Winnfield, Louisiana on August 25, 1948 to the late John Lowery and Gladys Paul Lowery.
Mr. Lowery worked as a pipe surveyor for 20+ years. He also worked for Dollar General and Walmart before retiring. He enjoyed playing and winning chess!
He is preceded in death by his sons, Lavelle Lowery and Timmy Lowery.
Mr. Lowery is survived by his wife of 12½ years, Linda Shirley Lowery; son, Oliver H. Lowery, Jr.; daughter, Tracy Lowery; numerous grandkids; step-children, Priscilla Rawls, Mikee Moss, and Jeanette Hodge; and numerous step-grandkids and step-great grandkids.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North is entrusted with arrangements.
Pensacola’s Comeback Foiled In 13-6 Loss To Tennessee
May 21, 2023
The Blue Wahoos are now on the wrong kind of streak.
After this week started with a pair of wins and a club-record 10-game winning streak, the Tennessee Smokies won their third in a row Saturday by answering the Blue Wahoos’ comeback attempt with a pair of 3-run homers in the eighth inning of a 13-6 blowout win.
A sellout crowd of 5,038 became energized when the Blue Wahoos rallied from a 7-1 deficit in the fifth inning and had a tying run thrown out at the plate to end the sixth inning.
The intrigue continued into the eighth.
That’s when the Tennessee Smokies Haydn McGeary blasted a first-pitch fastball from reliever Austin Roberts into the right-center berm for a 3-run homer.
The ball’s flight immediately had reliever Roberts kicking the mound in disgust.
The decisive moment then got worse for the Blue Wahoos (24-14) when reliever Zach Willeman gave up a walk, a single and second 3-run homer of the inning, this one by Bradlee Beesley, who went 2-for-3 in the game and scored four runs. The Smokies (21-17), leaders in the Southern League North Division, had 11 hits as every batter reached base.
But most of the crowd stayed around for the attraction of post-game fireworks presented by Navy Federal Credit Union.
Following the show, more than 130 Scouts of America youths, along with parents and scouting leaders, were part of a sleepover night at the ballpark.
Blue Wahoos starter Evan Fitterer sustained his worst outing this season. He did not make it out of the second inning. When he was lifted with two outs, the Smokies already had a 5-0 lead.
Fitterer threw 69 pitches, only half for strikes, as he struggled with location unlike any prior start. The righthander yielded a season-high five hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
In four prior starts, the 22-year-old Fitterer had allowed just five runs combined and recorded three consecutive wins in joining the team from High-A Beloit Sky Carp. He gave up four hits or fewer in each of those Pensacola starts.
Trailing 6-0 in the fourth inning, the Blue Wahoos started their comeback with Griffin Conine’s RBI single.
Troy Johnston then smashed a 3-run homer in the fifth inning, part of a night when he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and two runs scored.
Will Banfield homered to lead off the sixth inning. Nasim Nuñez drove home Bennett Hostetler with a RBI single. Nuñez was later thrown out at the plate trying to score on Dane Myers’ hit. Nuñez went 2-for-5 and was among seven Blue Wahoos batters with at least one hit.
All of that led into the eventual eighth inning when the Smokies blew open the game.
The Blue Wahoos will now hope to salvage a split in the 6-game series when closing the homestand Sunday afternoon against the Smokies.
M.D. Johnson (0-1, 3.67), who began the week Tuesday with a solid start (6 innings, 3 runs), returns to the mound for a repeat against the Smokies, who will throw Porter Hodge (0-3, 5.47) for a second time.
The game will also feature renowned baseball organist Nancy Faust, who performed 41 years for the Chicago White Sox beginning in 1970, and is considered a pioneer in game entertainment. She will be performing on the concourse behind home plate with the same kind of vintage organ she used at Comiskey Park.
by Erik Bremer, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Tate High School Names Students Of The Month
May 21, 2023
Tate High School recently named their Students of the Month for March. They are Trey MacWhinnie (pictured left) and Caroline Paravicini. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.