Biloxi Tops Pensacola 1-0
July 14, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Nick Travieso and Biloxi Shuckers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff dueled to a standoff for seven innings.
It was Travieso, who blinked first, when Biloxi catcher Jacob Nottingham hit a leadoff single in the eighth inning and came around to score to give the Shuckers a 1-0 victory Wednesday over Pensacola at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Woodruff allowed three hits and tied his career-high by striking out 10 Blue Wahoos batters in seven innings. Meanwhile, Travieso also blanked Biloxi for seven innings and allowed two hits with six strikeouts.
But Travieso had only 75 pitches, the Cincinnati Reds No. 9 prospect according to MLB.com, and took the mound in the eighth. That’s when Nottingham hit a soft liner to get on base, moved to second on a bunt by Biloxi third baseman Gabriel Noriega, took third on a Romano wild pitch and then scored on Shuckers second baseman Javier Betancourt’s hard line drive into left field.
Pensacola had runners get on base to lead off the sixth and eighth innings. But both times Blue Wahoos center fielder Jeff Gelalich was unable to lay a good bunt down, forcing Romano and Ray Chang out at second, respectively.
“We had two opportunities to bunt and we didn’t get the man over,” said Pensacola manager Pat Kelly. “To me that’s the difference in the ball game.”
Despite allowing the run, Travieso felt positive about his performance, becoming the first Blue Wahoos starter to pitch into the eighth inning this season. He credited Pensacola pitching coach Danny Darwin for helping him with his pitching motion.
“Darwin’s been great for me,” said Travieso, who also gotten pitching advice from his dad since he was 8-years-old. “He’s a guy who pitched in the big leagues. I pick his brain and feed off him. Once I find my tempo, I can control the game.”
Kelly said the Blue Wahoo hitters struggled with Woodruff’s fastballs that reached 98 mph Wednesday.
“We haven’t see that kind of velocity from a starter,” Kelly said. “(The hitters) thought they saw the ball good but it was up and down, in and out, it wasn’t constantly in any one spot.”
Woodruff improved to 4-6 on the year with a 4.04 ERA. Travieso earned the loss falling to 4-5 with a 4.07 ERA.
Travieso has completed six innings in three of his last four starts, allowing four runs in 22 innings pitched for a 1.64 earned-run average. In his last start against Mobile, Travieso threw six scoreless innings against Mobile and gave up just two hits.
The Blue Wahoos prospect laden starting pitchers lived up to their billing against Biloxi throughout the series. Each of the five starters at least pitched into the seventh inning. Against Biloxi they totaled 35 innings pitched, 23 hits, five earned runs, two walks, 30 strikeouts and posted a 1.29 ERA, while holding Shuckers hitters to a .185 average.
“If you look at the stats we were dominating hitters,” Travieso said. “We piggy-back off of each other. The bullpen feeds off of it, too. You want to go out there and throw well.”
Pensacola won the series, 3-2, but Kelly is waiting for the team’s hitting to become more consistent. They struck out 18 times earlier in the series and 14 Wednesday.
“We’ve got the pitching. We’ve got the defense,” Kelly said. “We’re just inconsistent with our hitting right now.”
Escambia Woman Claims $1M In Scratch-Off Game
July 14, 2016
Natalya Joens, 44, of Pensacola, claimed a $1 million prize in the $10,000,000 Fortune scratch-off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee.
Joens chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $792,000. She purchased her winning ticket from the Tom Thumb at 7935 Pine Forest Road, just south of I-10.
The $25 Scratch-Off game, $10,000,000 FORTUNE, launched on February 23, and features more than $623 million in total cash prizes, including 46 prizes of $1 million and four prizes of $10 million. The game’s overall odds of winning are 1-in-2.88.
Plan Drawings Released Of New Pensacola Bay Bridge
July 13, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued a notice of intent to award Skanska USA Civil Southeast a design-build contract to replace the Pensacola Bay Bridge. The notice of intent to award allows FDOT and the Skanska project team to work to finalize the requirements of the project.
As part of the $398.5 million project, Skanska will be required to design and construct a new bridge crossing of U.S. 98 (State Road 30) over Pensacola Bay in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The typical section of each new bridge will consist of three 12-foot lanes in one direction with 10-foot inside and outside shoulders. The bridges will include 10-foot wide shared use paths on the outside of each bridge with a concrete barrier separation between the outside roadway shoulder and the path. A 150-foot wide horizontal and 65-foot vertical clearance envelope will be provided for the main channel through the new bridges. The project length is approximately 3.7 miles.
The project is being constructed using a project delivery method known as design-build. Under this method, a single team of contractors and engineers is responsible for designing and constructing the project. This differs from the more traditional “Design-Bid-Build” method where the design is completed first by engineers working for the department and then construction contractors are invited to bid for the opportunity to build the project.
FDOT Takes First Step Toward Dangerous Century Curve Fix
July 13, 2016
The Florida Department of Transportation has taken a first step toward addressing the problem with a North Century Boulevard curve that has seen multiple semi-truck rollovers.
FDOT has covered signage south of the curve that instructed northbound drivers to remain in the right lane.
“I feel like we will see more steps in the near future,” Century Mayor Freddie McCall said. Those steps will likely include a speed limit reduction from 35 to 25 mph for trucks (or perhaps all motorists), signs with to warn motorists and trucks of the tipping hazard, advance warning signage with flashing beacons and perhaps advance warning signage advising trucks to use the inside lane.
Century and Escambia County have both pressed FDOT to eventually fix the elevation problem with the roadway.
Twice last month, semi-trucks rolled over in a curve on North Century Boulevard at Jackson Street. City and county officials believe the curve is badly designed with a slope in the outer lane that is difficult for semis to negotiate at the posted 35 mph speed limit. The amount of lean on an 18-wheeler in the outer lane is demonstrated in the photo below.
Pictured top: The Florida Department of Transportation has covered a sign on North Century Boulevard that instructed trucks to use the right lane. Pictured below: A tanker truck leans as it negotiates a dangerous curve on North Century Boulevard. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Deputies Seek Cantonment Burglary Suspect Caught On Camera
July 13, 2016
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the man pictured above in connection with a Cantonment burglary. One July 9, he walked up to the front door of a home on Mohegan Circle and rang the doorbell. After no one answered, he entered the residence through the back door of the home. The man was seen wearing camo pants with suspenders and a white t-shirt; he was driving a white SUV. Anyone with information should call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850)433-STOP. Courtesy images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Stolen Vehicle Found Submerged In Bayou
July 13, 2016
A stolen SUV was found submerged in an Escambia County bayou Tuesday morning.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team and Escambia Fire Rescue worked to search the bayou of Lillian Highway and Dog Track Road to make sure there was not a victim in the water. Members of the dive team were able to get the tag number from the vehicle, and deputies contacted the owner. She had reportedly been trying to sell the vehicle and had left it with a window down and keys in the ignition.
After the vehicle was pulled from the water, the Sheriff’s Office took the incident as an opportunity to remind residents to lock their vehicles to prevent th
For more photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Man Arrested On Child Porn Charges; FDLE Seeks Additional Victims
July 13, 2016
A Santa Rosa County man has been arrested on child pornography charges, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is search for possible additional victims.
FDLE agents arrested Michael David Braswell, 21, of 4536 Struth LNW, Milton, Florida on one count of promoting sexual performance by a child and one count of possession of child pornography.
FDLE agents began investigating Braswell last month after receiving a tip that he was displaying videos containing images of child pornography to other internet users.
Braswell told investigators he would drive through residential neighborhoods in Milton with the intent to expose himself to children.
The vehicle Braswell used while looking for child victims was a 2002 blue Mercury four door (pictured this page). If you have any information or believe that your child may have been approached by Braswell, please contact the Pensacola Regional Operations Center at (800) 226-8574.
Braswell was booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Summer Reading Club Participants Can Win Fire Truck Ride to School
July 13, 2016
Six lucky readers from the Summer Reading Club will have a chance to win a ride to school in a fire truck, followed by fire prevention and safety training for their entire school.
West Florida Library Summer Reading Club participants between ages 6 and 11 who live in Escambia County and have read for at least 50 hours will all be eligible for the drawing for the rides.
Other major drawing prizes include a pedal car fire truck, Fat Tire bicycles and recumbent bicycles. Prize categories start with as little as 12.5 hours of reading.
The winners will be chosen by drawing on July 30.
In the event a winner is chosen who is homeschooled, the ride will be to a fire prevention and safety event at their closest public library.
For more information, contact or stop by your nearest West Florida Library location.
Florida Association of City Clerks Honors Century’s Gonzalez
July 13, 2016
The Florida Association of City Clerks has passed a resolution honoring Century Town Clerk Leslie Gonzalez for serving as their Northwest Florida district director for the past three years. The resolution was recently presented to Gonzalez (pictured left) by FACC’s Linda Bridges. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Shut Out Biloxi
July 13, 2016
Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Sal Romano walked into the clubhouse Tuesday with a different attitude.
Entering the game 1-9 this season and 1-14 over the past two seasons with the Blue Wahoos, he figured it was time for a change.
It worked. Romano threw seven scoreless innings, allowed three hits and struck out a season-high nine batters to help the Blue Wahoos blowout the Biloxi Shuckers, 9-0, Tuesday in front of 3,323 at Blue Wahoos Stadium. It’s the largest shutout victory in franchise history.
“I came to the ballpark not thinking about anything, or the fact that I was pitching,” said Romano, ranked the Cincinnati Reds No. 15 prospect by MLB.com. “The biggest thing I did tonight was having fun and relaxing. I’m not a heavy guy. That’s not who I am.”
He also changed his walkup song to Jason Aldean’s “Lights Come On” right before the game, instead of his usual rap music that pumps him up. And he changed lockers with Pensacola center fielder Jeff Gelalich storing his gloves in Gelalich’s locker, while Gelalich put his bats in Romano’s locker.
Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly said he has to remind himself every day that Romano is only 22. He improved his record to 2-10 and lowered his ERA to 4.45 this season.
“I have to remind myself he’s just 22-years-old,” Kelly said. “I have to keep reminding myself of that fact. As he matures, he will be able to refine his stuff.”
Speaking of refining, Romano, who has a mid-90s fastball, relies more and more on his changeup. It allowed him to cruise through the first three innings without allowing a hit and striking out the side in the first inning.
The first hit of the game came when Biloxi right fielder Tyrone Taylor’s double to leadoff the fourth inning. Taylor, the Milwaukee Brewers No. 12 prospect according to MLB.com, also clobbered a two-out triple to the right center gap in the sixth inning off of Romano.
“It has become a really good pitch for me,” Romano said. “I didn’t realize how good it was. I never trusted it in any games.”
Pensacola scored five runs on five hits in the first inning, sending all nine batters to the plate. Blue Wahoos center fielder Jeff Gelalich singled on a ground ball to right field and left fielder Phillip Ervin walked. Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde tripled deep into the left center gap to drive in both Gelalich and Ervin for a 2-0 lead. Blue Wahoos third baseman then hit a grounder to left field that allowed Elizalde to cross the plate, putting Pensacola up, 3-0.
Blue Wahoos shortstop Zach Vincej then smacked a line drive to center field moving Sparks to second base. Biloxi Jorge Ortega then threw a pitch past his catcher and Sparks and Vincej moved up a bag. With two outs, Pensacola catcher Joe Hudson then lined a single to center to drive in Sparks and Vincej to complete the first inning outburst, 5-0.
Pensacola is 14-1 at home when scoring first and 29-7 overall. The team has now won eight of its nine homestands.
“It’s always nice pitching with some cushion,” Romano said.
Biloxi pitcher Jorge Ortega settled down after Pensacola mugged him for five first inning runs, finishing up his start by allowing just two more hits and getting 10 outs in a row. Ortega allowed eight runs in one inning in his last start against the Jacksonville Suns, giving him an ERA of 19.50 in his last two starts. On the year, he has a 5.06 earned-run average and a 1-8 record.
But Pensacola hitters pounded left-handed submarine Biloxi reliever Brett Lee, who played at West Florida High School in Pensacola and was drafted in the 10th round in 2011. In his hometown, Pensacola hitters lit him up in the seventh inning for four runs and three hits in 0.1 innings.
Biloxi reliever Gage Smith didn’t do much better giving up three hits, including two doubles in 1.2 innings.
The heart of Pensacola’s lineup entered the game 0-26 against Biloxi pitching this series. But they more than made up for that Tuesday, driving in six of the Blue Wahoos’ nine runs and scoring four times. Phillip Ervin, the No. 3 hitter in the lineup, was 0-3 entering the game but went 2-4, scored two runs and drove in three with a double in the seventh inning. He also stole his 26th base of the season.
Sebastian Elizalde, batting in the cleanup spot was 0-9 before Tuesday’s game. He was 1-4 with a triple in the first inning that drove in two runs and he scored once.
Taylor Sparks, the No. 5 hitter had gone 0-11, but was 1-4 with an RBI single and a run scored.
“We’ve staggered the lineup a little bit,” Kelly said. “We’re going to swing and miss but we’re also going to get a lot of hits.”