Rosario’s Walk-Off Homer Lifts Blue Wahoos To Thrilling Victory
June 10, 2023
Dalvy Rosario arrived in Pensacola shortly before noon on Friday.
Nine hours later, he was celebrating as a team hero.
The 22-year-old outfielder, called up from the Beloit Sky Carp to fill a position need, electrified a capacity crowd in his debut Friday night with a dramatic, ninth-inning, two-run walk-off homer, lifting the Blue Wahoos to a 6-4 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits.
The win pushed the Blue Wahoos (34-21) into a seven-game lead over the Biscuits, six games ahead of the Biloxi Shuckers, who lost Friday, in the first half Southern League division race that has 14 games left to play.
Rosario, a Dominican Republic native, had not homered this season. But on a 3-1 count, he jumped on a slider from Biscuits reliever Graeme Stinson and sent a moon shot over the left field wall with the ball carrying 380 feet and exiting at 101 mph off his bat.
And it was also his first Double-A hit, although he just missed a homer to center field earlier in the night.
When the hit was launched, the roar began, the Blue Wahoos dugout erupted, and a celebratory ice bucket bath awaited from teammates at home plate in one of Pensacola’s signature wins this season.
It was the first time the Blue Wahoos had a walk-off homer since Peyton Burdick, now a Miami Marlins outfielder, produced the feat in the 2021 season. It was the Blue Wahoos’ second walk-off win this season. The first happened on a fielder’s choice and throwing error.
This one came on Giveaway Friday where fans received a Blue Wahoos 2022 championship t-shirt courtesy of game sponsor Total Fire Protection.
Rosario’s rocket was even more significant because it happened after the Biscuits’ Evan Edwards tied the game with two outs in the top of the ninth with a monster shot off reliever Brady Puckett. The ball went over the video board traveling 461 feet towards the water.
Earlier Friday night, it was the Patrick Monteverde and José Devers show. Monteverde, the Blue Wahoos’ top pitcher, was in his usual form. The lefty allowed just two hits and one run, striking out nine batters in six innings.
Meanwhile, Devers hit a two-run homer in the third inning and followed with a solo blast in the fifth. He began the night with just two homers this season. Both of the ones Friday were no-doubter line drives into the right field berm.
Cobie Fletcher-Vance, making his return from Triple-A Jacksonville had a good night at the plate as well, including an RBI double in the fourth inning.
Monteverde threw 100 pitches in his outing. His final pitch was a ground out to second baseman Nasim Nuñez – the third putout for Nuñez in the inning – to complete the sixth.
After Monteverde exited, carrying the 4-1 lead, the Biscuits quickly trimmed it on their first two at-bats off reliever Will Stewart in the seventh inning.
Mason Auer led off with a fly ball that Norel González misplayed into a triple. Diego Infante followed by launching a blast into the right-center berm. Stewart then recovered to get a lineout and pair of strikeouts around a single to end the inning.
Jefry Yan replaced Stewart in the eighth inning and was solid, recording a pair of strikeouts in his return from Triple-A Jacksonville.
Puckett started the ninth with a long fly ball out and was in position to get the save when Edwards hit the bomb.
The Blue Wahoos will try to gain the series win on Saturday night. Jonathan Bermudez (0-2, 2.95 ERA) will be on the mound for the Blue Wahoos against the Biscuits’ Mason Montgomery (0-2, 4.75).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECUA Returns To Recycling On Monday
June 9, 2023
ECUA returns to full recycling next week.
Operation of the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) was interrupted back in mid-April due to a “staff turnover” and downtime to hire and train employees. Since then, the MRF was able to continue to accept and process source-separated recyclables such as cardboard.
The facility was in operation this week for what ECUA is calling a “successful soft start”.
“We truly appreciate our customers’ continued use of good recycling habits, which helped to promote a successful soft-start,” ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers said.
While restaffing activities were ongoing, maintenance and construction employees took advantage of plant downtime for maintenance and certain process modifications to improve plant functionality. These included:
- replacement of the baler’s motor
- modifications to the design of some chute to enhance performance of robots
- rebuilding of the metering bin, which is the first part of the plant process and serves to load recyclables onto the conveyor belt in an even and uniform way.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Man Accused Of Lowe’s Burglary, Riding Mower Theft
June 9, 2023
A Cantonment man is accused of burglarizing a Lowe’s store and stealing a riding lawnmower.
James Robert Harkness, 37, was charged with burglary of an unoccupied structure, grand theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.
Harkness used bolt cutters to cut a lock on a fenced-in area at Lowe’s on Fairfield Drive about 1:30 a.m. on the morning of May 26, according to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Video surveillance shows a suspect pull up in a SUV with a utility trailer, lower the ramps and grab bolt cutters. The suspect on video then cuts the lock on the fence and pushes a John Deere lawn mower valued at $2,799 onto the trailer and drives away, the ECSO said.
Using a partial tag number and other instigative techniques, investigators said they were able to identify Harkness as the suspect.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Harkness was also suspected of selling a stolen John Deere riding mower.
Graduation Held For Sheriff’s ‘Blazer Academy’
June 9, 2023
Several young men have completed the 2023 Escambia County Sheriff’s “Blazer Academy”.
They spent six weeks developing lifelong skills. The goal of the program was to immerse young men in an environment that provides mentoring and instruction on many topics such as courtesy, responsibility, empowerment and respect. And there were some pretty sharp blazers involved.
They learned how to do a proper handshake, how to put on a tie, how to present themselves and much more.
They celebrated their successes as Sheriff Chip W. Simmons presented them with their completion certificates at a graduation ceremony held at the Saenger Theatre. After the ceremony, the graduates had a celebratory dinner at Global Grill, where they made a toast to completing the academy and their futures.
Today Is Deadline To Apply For Southern Pine Beetle Assistance Program
June 9, 2023
Applications are being accepted for the 2023 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program for non-industrial, private forest landowners through today, June 9, 2023. The Florida Forest Service program includes 44 northern Florida counties – the known range of the southern pine beetle — including Escambia and Santa Rosa.
“Most of Florida’s forests are privately owned, many by small family landowners,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “This program helps to protect the health of our pine forests – one of our most valuable resources in providing clean air, water, and timber.”
The southern pine beetle is one of the most economically devastating forest pests in the Southeastern United States, with periodic outbreaks destroying thousands of acres of pine timber. The last major southern pin beetle outbreak in Florida, between 1999 and 2002, caused an estimated $59 million in timber losses on over 24,000 acres.
“Southern pine beetle outbreaks have the potential to destroy thousands of acres of pine timber,” said Rick Dolan, Director of the Florida Forest Service. “The most effective way to minimize losses is to prevent infestations through active forest management.”
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, supported through a grant by the U.S. Forest Service, provides incentive payments for landowners who have overstocked pine stands and need to conduct a first thinning. In addition, it offers partial cost reimbursement for activities that can mitigate southern pine beetle activity, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
The Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program promotes forest management practices that reduce the risk and impacts of southern pine beetle infestations. Since it was first offered in 2005, the program has been implemented on more than 205,000 acres and helped thousands of landowners.
To obtain an application or to learn more about the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program, visit: FDACS.gov/SPBPrevention.
Conine Homers Twice, Sets RBI Record In Wahoos 9-6 Win
June 9, 2023
Griffin Conine learned the night earlier that he was going to be moved up to second in the Blue Wahoos batting order.
“Pretty shocked. I was nervous to be honest,” he said. “I haven’t hit in the first inning all year. You have to be ready right away.”
He was ready, all right, producing in a big way to forever remember in Pensacola’s 9-6 slugfest win against the Montgomery Biscuits on Mullet Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Conine, the franchise home run leader, blasted a pair of two-run homers, including the first pitch he saw in the first inning, then drew a bases-loaded walk for a fifth RBI that made him the team’s all-time leader in runs batted in. He passed Travis Mattair in that category with 128 in his three seasons in Pensacola.
“I think you want to be a clutch player and drive in runs,” said Conine, who reached base four times and scored three runs. “That’s what it’s all about. There are a lot of different things to measure a good hitter and RBI isn’t really one of them, but that’s what it’s all about so definitely a good one to have.”
Amid a crowd of 4,321, the team took on its Thursday alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets and used a big start to take a second win in the series.
Conine’s two-run homer in the first inning came on a first-pitch fastball, exited at 114 mph and traveled 447 feet over the right-center berm.
“I was looking to pull something. I wanted to get in the (batters) box and be ready to go right away,” Conine said. “Can’t let one go by.”
The Blue Wahoos then scored three runs in the third inning on a RBI double from Norel González, run-scoring single by José Devers and Cody Morissette’s sacrifice fly.
Conine followed in the fourth inning with an opposite-field homer to left to provide a 7-3 lead. In the eighth inning, Conine drew a bases-loaded walk for his fifth RBI, further padding the Blue Wahoos’ lead.
The Biscuits hit three homers, all solo shots in the game, including one in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos had their top reliever, Sean Reynolds, and top hitter, Dane Myers, elevated Thursday to Triple-A Jacksonville.
Conine and teammates carried the night. It was his first multi-homer game of the season, fifth in his Blue Wahoos career, and gave him four homers in the past week.
“Our offense is really tough to face, top to bottom,” he said.
Blue Wahoos starter M.D. Johnson matched his longest start of the season. He worked six innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
He worked out of trouble in the second inning after a solo homer from Logan Driscoll, then a pair of two out singles with two outs. In the fifth inning, he stranded two runners with one out, then had a clean sixth inning.
The series now shifts to the weekend where the Blue Wahoos will have their top pitcher, Patrick Monteverde (6-1, 2.16 ERA), on Friday night against the Biscuits’ Victor Munoz (4-3, 6.68).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Low Tonight About 70
June 9, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Saturday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind around 5 mph.
Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Sunday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Mostly clear, with a low around 70. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72.
Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 92.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Canceled: Purple Alert Issued For Escambia County Woman
June 8, 2023
According to FDLE, this Purple Alert has been canceled.
A statewide Purple Alert has been issued for an Escambia County woman last seen on Monday.
Jennifer Leigh Legan, 59, was last seen in the 8300 block on North Davis Highway, in the area of HCA Florida West Hospital, wearing black sweatpants and a white shirt.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said she is 5-foot, 4-inches tall, 120 pounds, and may be in need of medical attention.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Florida’s Purple Alerts are used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from mental, cognitive, intellectual or developmental disabilities.
All Charges Dropped Against NWE Little League Treasurer For ‘Jurisdiction Reasons’
June 8, 2023
UPDATE: Eleven felony charges have been filed against Paula Star Pugh in Alabama.
Prosecutors in Florida have dropped all charges against the former treasurer of Northwest Escambia Little League in Walnut Hill.
In April, 48-year old Paula Star Pugh was charged with felony grand theft $10,000 to $20,000 and felony fraud under $20,000.
According to court documents, the Office of the State Attorney First Judicial Circuit of Florida dropped prosecution in the case for “jurisdiction reasons”.
A spokesperson for the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, which investigated the case in Florida, told NorthEscambia.com Wednesday that their investigative files and evidence are being transferred to the Atmore Police Department for possible investigation in Alabama.
The Atmore Police Department confirmed Thursday morning that they will be looking into the case.
According to the Escambia County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, Pugh was the elected treasurer/bookkeeper since 2017 for Northwest Escambia Little League with the alleged thefts taking place from July 26, 2021, until December 9, 2022.
“During this time Pugh wrote checks on NWE’s account which she cashed for personal use, completed unauthorized debit transactions for personal use, and completed numerous ATM withdrawals for personal use,” the ECSO investigator wrote in his report, adding that Pugh had no receipt or explanation for the transactions.
According to the Florida warrant affidavit, many of the allegedly fraudulent transactions included ATM withdrawals at the First National Bank and Trust in Atmore.
Florida authorities alleged the following transactions were fraudulent, according to court documents. Pugh is not currently charged with making these transactions, and she is not currently charged with any crime.
Century Felon Gets 30 Years On Cocaine Trafficking, Weapons Charges
June 8, 2023
A Century felon convicted on drugs and weapons charges has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison.
Kendrick Jamar Washington was found guilty by an Escambia County jury of trafficking in cocaine, carrying an unlicensed concealed firearm and carrying a concealed firearm while trafficking in cocaine. The jury deliberated for about an hour.
He will be required to serve three years of the sentence day for day as a statutory minimum mandatory.
On June 24, 2022, Washington allegedly pointed “an assault rifle” at his sister and threatened to kill her, according to an arrest report. She headed to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct to file a report.
During the investigation, deputies were alerted of an armed disturbance on Ashford Alley off Jefferson Avenue and detained Washington. A .38 Special revolver and a Del-Ton rifle were recovered from Washington, along with a .223 round in the chamber, 13 rounds in the magazine of the rifle and five rounds in his pocket, according to an arrest report.
Deputies located over 98 grams of cocaine in Washington’s right pocket and a loaded .38 caliber revolver in his left pocket, according to court documents. A total of $4,642 in currency was found on Washington’s person, deputies said.