Wahoos Rally For Win
July 27, 2017
Pensacola Blue Wahoos Josh VanMeter wasn’t expected to play every day in the Southern League when he turned out to be “the player to be named later” in a trade between the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres at the end of 2016.
However, the 22-year-old has proven indispensable to the Blue Wahoos team. He has played second base, shortstop, third base and left field and with two outs and runners in scoring position he’s the hitter Pensacola wants a t the plate.
Against the Biloxi Shuckers Wednesday, VanMeter delivered the decisive two-out, two-run double in the four-run eighth inning that gave Pensacola a, 4-1, victory in front of 4,358 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
VanMeter said he thrives in the clutch and his hitting statistics bear that out. The .259 hitter’s average balloons to .378 with the game on the line. The new Reds pick up has driven in 23 of his 39 RBIs in that position.
“When I think of good players, I think of clutch players,” VanMeter said. “It shows I’m able to control myself, even in pressure situations.”
Blue Wahoos third baseman Nick Senzel hit a high pop up to Biloxi second baseman Blake Allemand, who instead of making the catch to end the inning and preserve the Biloxi lead, 1-0, kept the rally going when it plopped to the ground. The unexplainable error allowed Pensacola shortstop Blake Trahan to knot the game, 1-1.
Blue Wahoos first baseman Gavin LaValley then hit a bullet to left field that drove in center fielder Gabriel Guerrero with the go-ahead run, 2-1.
That’s when VanMeter stepped to the plate and delivered his double to the left center gap that scored Senzel from second base and LaValley from first to increase Pensacola’s lead to 4-1 heading into the ninth.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly is a big fan of VanMeter, who recalled hitting a buzzer beating jumper in the Indiana high school basketball 3A Regionals to upset the tournament favorite.
“His hit gives us a three-run lead and gives (closer Zack) Weiss a little wiggle room,” Kelly said.
Blue Wahoos reliever Carlos Gonzalez also played a pivotal role in the win that improved Pensacola’s record to 16-16 in the second half and back into a first-place tie with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp in the Southern Division. The first half champions are 56-46 overall.
In the seventh inning, the Shuckers loaded the bases on a bunt single, sharp grounder to right field and a swinging bunt single with one out off Blue Wahoos starter Jesus Reyes.
Then rain poured down and delayed the game for 33 minutes, until it resumed at 9:18 p.m. It was the second rain delay of the game with the start pushed back 30 minutes.
When the game started again, Pensacola reliever Carlos Gonzalez entered and got a pop out and strikeout to end the Biloxi scoring threat. His 1.2 innings with one strikeout improved his record in 14 relief appearances to 1-1 with a 1.90 ERA.
“That was a fantastic job,” Kelly said. “Those were five big outs for us.”
Biloxi scored in the first inning, going on top, 1-0, when leadoff batter Johnny Davis hit a grounder up the middle into center field, stole second base and reached third on an infield single by left fielder Angel Ortega deep in the hole to shortstop. Davis finally scored on Allemand’s soft line drive single to the opposite field.
Biloxi starter Jon Perrin threw six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, no walks and striking out five.
“Every team we play is that way,” Kelly said. “They run those good arms at you every night.”
Need A Pig? Sheriff David Morgan Will Sell You One
July 27, 2017
Need a pig? Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan will be happy to sell you one.
A large brown male feeder pig will be sold to the highest bidder at 10 a.m. on August 3 in a sheriff’s livestock sale. The sale will be held at Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Substation at 5844 North Highway 29 in Molino.
For more information, call (850) 436- 9477.
Man Charged With Stealing Water Service From The Town Of Century
July 26, 2017
A Century man has been arrested for stealing water.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 400 block of Barnwell Street where Century Water Superintendent Alicia Jernigan stated that the residence had been connected to the town’s water supply without a meter since 2013. The following day, the utilities department dug in the road and discovered a second water pipe connected from their system to the house.
Jernigan told deputies that $2,847.32 of water had been stolen from the Town of Century.
Willie Owens, Sr., the owner of the residence, was arrested on a charge of theft of utility services. He was later released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
Two Juveniles Seriously Injured In ATV Crash
July 26, 2017
Two minors were seriously injured in an ATV crash Tuesday evening in Cantonment.
The minors were on an ATV that reportedly collided with the side of a pickup truck near Pace Parkway and Mintz Lane. They were transported to an area hospital as a “trauma alerst” by Escambia County EMS. Neither minor was reported to be wearing a helmet. The pickup driver was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the 7 p.m. accident.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Injuries As Mattress Outlet Damaged By Fire
July 26, 2017
A two-alarm fire damaged two Escambia County businesses on Tuesday afternoon.
Bystanders reported flames and smoke showing from the building at Fairfield Drive and Ruby Avenue. The building is home to Mattress Outlet and MOVE Period, a local gym. The building was reported by bystanders to have flames and smoke billowing from it about 4:30 p.m.
Fire stations from across the county responded to the blaze, including ladder trucks from Century and NAS Pensacola. There were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
State Grapples With Increase In Credit Card Skimmers
July 26, 2017
Credit-card skimming devices at Florida gas stations and stores are on a dramatic rise this year.
State figures show 315 skimmers had been discovered at Florida gas pumps through July 18, compared to 120 skimmers discovered through the first seven months of 2016.
That represents a 160 percent increase in the illegal devices used to collect consumers’ credit- or debit-card information.
This year’s seven-month total already far exceeds the 219 reported devices in all of 2016 and the 169 skimmers found in 2015, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
At a press conference in Orlando this month highlighting the problem, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam noted that his inspectors and law-enforcement officers have documented a continued rise since 2015 in the devices, which are typically placed inside gas-pump cabinets.
“Since that time, we have seen a steady trend upward, an increase in the number of skimmers being found around the state on these gas pumps,” Putnam said.
If undetected, each skimmer is capable of collecting credit- or debit-card data from 100 consumers, with each losing an average of $1,000 to electronic theft, according to Putnam’s agency., which is responsible for gas-station inspections.
Palm Beach County has the most reported skimmer locations this year with 58, followed by Broward County with 57, Miami-Dade County with 26 and Pinellas and Volusia counties, each reporting 12 devices.
Although there appeared to be a correlation between larger counties, with more cars and gas stations, and the detection of skimmers, that isn’t always the case. Brevard County, with 11 skimmer locations, had more than the combined totals of Duval County, with five, and Hillsborough County, with four.
In the majority of cases, one skimmer device was reported at each location. But some had multiple skimmers, including a New Smyrna Beach gas station where four skimmers were found on July 11, records show.
Putnam has been working with the Legislature, the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association the past few years to curb the illegal activity.
In 2016, the Legislature passed a law that toughened penalties for credit-card fraud and required security devices on gas pumps, including the use of security tape to alert store employees and consumers about pump tampering.
This year, the Legislature passed another law making it illegal to possess skimmer-device equipment.
“As the third-largest state with 10,000 convenience stores and more than 100 million tourists visiting each year, Florida presents significantly more opportunities for skimming devices to be used,” said Scott Shalley, president of the Florida Retail Federation, after Gov. Rick Scott signed the latest anti-skimming legislation (HB 343) last month.
Putnam said the industry has taken steps to protect gas pumps from tampering, including moving away from a universal key system that allowed access to pumps in different locations. He said the newest stores and gas stations are deploying technology that will shut down pumps if they are opened without authorization.
But Putnam said skimmer criminals are growing more sophisticated, with some now using devices where credit-card data can be downloaded remotely, eliminating the need to retrieve skimmers from inside the pumps.
“Unfortunately, like many forms of criminal activities, the bad guys continue to evolve just like the laws continue to evolve,” Putnam said.
But Putnam also said “there are some very simple things that the traveling public can do during this summer traveling season to protect themselves.”
Among the recommendations are using cash to pay for gas; using credit cards, which typically have more consumer protections than debit cards if fraud occurs; using pumps closer to the stores, as skimmer criminals are more likely to target remote pumps; and avoiding pumps if the cabinets are open or if security tape is broken or appears altered.
“This is not a crime limited to Florida, but unfortunately it is a crime that we are seeing growth in and an increasing number of these devices are being found,” Putnam said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service Florida
Pedestrian Struck By Escambia County Deputy’s Tahoe
July 26, 2017
A pedestrian suffered slight injuries when he stepped into the path of an Escambia County deputy’s vehicle Tuesday night in Escambia County.
Scott Miller, age 52 of Mobile, was struck by a mirror on the Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle on West Fairfield Drive near North Pace Boulevard. Miller was not in a crosswalk when he attempted to cross the roadway about 10:36 p.m.
Miller suffered minor injuries. He was cited with failure to cross in crosswalk by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Thursday Is Aggie Day; Orientation, Schedule Pickup Set
July 26, 2017
Tate students and parents — mark your calendars. Here are some upcoming important dates for Aggie Day, Orientation, and schedule pickup for Tate High School.
Thursday, July 27 – AGGIE DAY
Aggie Day is a Welcome to Tate workshop led by Tate’s leadership students. Incoming 9th graders and new students are invited to take a few hours to learn about Tate High School. At 9 a.m., students will be split into groups in the Fryman Gym. Our leadership students will lead their group in a series of workshops to learn about activities, sports, clubs, and what makes Tate a great place to attend. Schedules will not be handed out at this event, and guidance counselors and administrators will not be present. This is a for-students, by-students event.
Drop Off: New Gym, 9:00 am
Pick Up: New Gym, 12:00 pm
Friday, August 4 – Freshmen/New Student Orientation, 9:00 am-10:30 am
Our more formal, assembly-style orientation will be at 9:00 am in the Fryman Gym. You will meet our administrators, deans, and 9th grade guidance counselor, Chuck Stanhope. Also, coaches and club sponsors will be available to answer any questions. At 10:30 am, 9th grade schedules will be available (in the gym). Tate leadership students will be present to assist in learning where classes are located. At 11:00, any schedules not picked up will return to the front office.
Friday, August 4 – Upperclassmen Schedule Pickup
10th-12th Schedules will be available for pick up from 1:00-3:00 in the Cafeteria.
Wahoos Rally Falls A Run Short
July 26, 2017
Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson came to the plate with runners on first and third and two outs with the Blue Wahoos trailing by one run in the ninth inning.
But a five-run rally by Pensacola to tie the game fell one run short when Hudson smoked a line drive back at Biloxi Shuckers relief pitcher Jorge Lopez, who stuck his glove out and caught it.
The Shuckers escaped with a, 5-4, victory over the Blue Wahoos to win the opener of the five-game series and tie the head-to-head battle between the two teams this season at 8-8.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly thought Hudson had smacked a game-tying hit.
“That ball caught him,” Kelly said. “Sometimes the game is not fair. It was nice to see us come back.”
For most of the game, the Milwaukee Brewers top pitching prospect cruised by keeping the Pensacola hitters off balance with his off-speed pitches. He shut out the Blue Wahoos lineup through seven innings of work on two hits and season-high seven Ks.
But Ortiz, who improved to 4-5 with a 3.57 ERA, had his 13-inning scoreless streak end in the eighth inning when Pensacola right fielder Aristides Aquino belted a homer to left center. It was Aquino’s team-leading 10th homer of the season and first since his solo shot July 1 against the Montgomery Biscuits. Ortiz was then chased from the game, when Pensacola second baseman Shed Long followed with a zinger up the middle.
Lopez, who pitched two innings for the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this season, entered the game in the ninth inning with a, 5-1, Biloxi lead and almost gave the game away.
Gabriel Guerrero smashed his first home run at Blue Wahoos Stadium on in front of 4,019 fans on Tuesday. He launched his third homer of the season just right of center field into the Hill-Kelly Dodge berm with Pensacola shortstop Blake Trahan on base. It pulled Pensacola within, 5-3, with no outs.
“It feels great,” Guerrero said. “We just keep fighting. We never give up. We almost came back.”
The rally continued when Pensacola first baseman Gavin LaValley singled with one out and then was singled in by Long’s liner to center field to make it a one-run game, 5-4.
With runners on first and third and two outs, Hudson stepped to the plate. The 23-year-old Guerrero, who was selected to the Southern League All-Star game, was surprised Hudson’s line drive was the last out of the game. Hudson had one of the first two hits off Ortiz when he doubled in the sixth inning.
“I thought the ball was going to go through,” Guerrero said. “(Lopez) threw his glove out there and caught it.”
Biloxi went ahead, 5-0, thanks in part to right fielder Clint Coulter whohad both RBIs in his first two at bats of Tuesday’s game for the Shuckers. The 23-year-old, who was selected 27th overall in the 2012 draft, grounded out to shortstop in the second inning, allowing first baseman Dustin DeMuth to score from third base and put Biloxi up, 1-0.
Coulter then launched his 12th homer of the season to the left center gap to lead off the fifth inning, giving Biloxi a 2-0 lead. Coulter has the team lead in both homers and RBIs with 39 this season.
In the sixth inning, it looked like Pensacola second baseman Shed Long had turned a double play when DeMuth hit a grounder up the middle that Long fielded, stepped on second base and whipped the ball to first. But the umpire ruled he missed the bag allowing Biloxi second baseman Blake Allemand to stay at second base. He would come around to score on shortstop Gabriel Noriega’s sharp single to centerfield to put the Shuckers ahead, 3-0.
Biloxi left fielder Angel Ortega then smacked a two-run homer, his seventh of the season, to left field in the seventh inning to put the Shuckers seemingly out of reach with a, 5-0, lead.
The Blue Wahoos fell to 15-16 in the second half and 55-46 overall. Biloxi, which has lost four consecutive series and 13 of their past 19 games, improved to 13-18 and 49-51 overall.
One Injured In Cantonment Wreck
July 25, 2017
One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Cantonment.
One driver was transported to a local hospital by Escambia County EMS, while the second driver was uninjured and refused medical at the scene of the crash on Highway 29 at Neal Road.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Cantonment Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Northescambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
