Rocket City Blasts Past The Blue Wahoos 10-5
July 22, 2023
Patrick Monteverde has normally set a tone for Blue Wahoos pitching with his presence on the mound.
This time, however, it signaled the start of a rough night in several ways.
Playing as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok as part of a duel of teams transforming into their Copa de la Diversion identities, a quick first-inning deficit eventually ballooned with relief pitching woes in Rocket City’s 10-5 victory Friday before a near-capacity crowd (4,851) at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After the Blue Wahoos won the first three games of this series, Rocket City wore its Lunaticos uniforms in the Southern League’s first matchup with both teams honoring the game’s Latin American heritage. The moniker change went well for the visitors.
Rocket City sprayed 14 hits against five different Pensacola pitchers, including big games from Tucker Flint, who went 4-for-6 with four two RBI and four runs scored, plus Jose Gomez, who was 3-for-5 with a single, double, triple and two RBI. The Trash Pandas also benefited from 10 walks allowed by Blue Wahoos pitchers.
In making his 15th start this season, Monteverde had a rare lapse of control and too many pitches that resulted in hard contact. He was unable to finish the fifth inning with his team trailing 6-2. He entered the game as the top pitcher in the Southern League and among the best across all minor league levels with an 8-1 record and 1.91 earned run average.
Friday, however, he gave up three first-inning hits and two runs. He finished allowing eight hits – matching a season high — three walks, three strikeouts. His only rougher night was May 28 when he pitched just three innings and gave up six runs on the road against the Mississippi Braves.
In all other games, Monteverde yielded just three-or-less runs, including nine starts in 2023 with only one or zero runs allowed.
Friday’s outing began in a rocky way. With one out, he yielded a double and single, then a sacrifice fly. Flint followed with a run-scoring triple. Before he was lifted in the fifth inning, Monteverde’s two walks in the fifth inning helped load the bases, leading into a three-run rally that included a steal of home on a double steal.
The Blue Wahoos had their biggest moment in the bottom of the inning. With two out, none on, Nasim Nuñez singled and scored on Miami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia’s moon-shot homer, which was his first hit since joining the Blue Wahoos on an injury rehab assignment.
Troy Johnston continued his torrid production by following with a double and scoring on Will Banfield’s single, cutting the deficit to 6-5 and momentarily changing the game’s momentum.
Johnston finished 3-for-5 to pace Pensacola hitters and raise his batting average to .288.
Rocket City answered against the Pok-Ta-Pok bullpen with three runs in the seventh and tacked on another in the eighth to blow open the game.
It spoiled a Giveaway Friday where the first 1,000 fans received a commemorative poster from game sponsor Pepsi, honoring the Blue Wahoos’ first-half win in the Southern League South Division and automatic berth into the playoffs.
The Blue Wahoos will try to clinch the series win on Saturday with heralded prospect, lefthander Jake Eder (1-1, 4.74 ERA), making his fifth start on his injury comeback quest against Rocket City’s Jack Kochanowicz (4-5, 5.72).
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
ECUA Proposing Water, Sewer, Sanitation Rate Increases, Plus New Monthly Recycling Fee
July 21, 2023
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority is proposing across the board rate increases for water, wastewater and sanitation services, plus a new monthly fee for customers that choose to recycle.
For sanitation, ECUA is proposing a 3.5% rate increase, raising the standard monthly rate for a 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $28.46. A $3 monthly fee for recycling customers is proposed, along with reduction of the cost of an extra garbage can from $4.60 to $2 per month. The $3 recycling fee is projected to generate $1.8 million for the Materials Recycling Facility.
ECUA is proposing a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater.
The ECUA board will consider the rate increases at their next meeting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. The board could decide to approve, reject or change any of the rates at that time.
ECUA customers have had optional curbside recycling at no charge since 2009. The current recycling facility (MRF) has been open since 2016.
ECUA Public Information Office Nathalie Bowers previously said residents putting items that can’t be recycled in the ECUA program into the recycling can has been a major problem, leading to the consideration of a recycling fee.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Abusing 5-Year Old At Head Start Site
July 21, 2023
A Cantonment woman was charged with felony child abuse that occurred while she was employed as a teacher at a Head Start program site in Escambia County, according to authorities.
Cheyenne Nikole Kenny, 23, was booked into the Escambia County Jail this week on the third degree felony charge and released on a $5,000 bond.
According to an arrest report, Kenny kicked a 5-year old student in the leg before dragging her across the room and throwing her down on a sleep mat. The report states video exists of the alleged incident, which occurred in March 2023.
While the exact location of the alleged abuse was not released, the State Attorney’s Office identified it as a Head Start program.
30,000 Pounds Of Food, 350 Backpacks To Be Distributed Saturday Morning In Gonzalez
July 21, 2023
A food and school backpack distribution will be held Saturday, July 22 in Gonzalez.
The event begins at 8 a.m, with line up no earlier than 7:30 a.m., at the Gonzalez Methodist Church at 2026 Pauline Street. The event will continue while supplies last. There will be 30,000 pounds of food, 350 backpacks filled with supplies and socks, and a limited supply of $10 gift cards for last minute supplies.
Rep. Michelle Salzman, the Gonzalez Methodist Church and other community partners are sponsoring the event, which is open to all in need with no eligibility requirements.
“We understand that going back to school is a struggle for many families, so during our Fall Food Distribution, we are also giving away backpacks, courtesy of Ascend Cares, State Farm Tyler Kercher, Kevin Stephens, and Jubilee Church. Along with our food distribution, we want our families to get a good start for the new school year,” Salzman said.
Pictured: A similar distribution was held last July at the Molino Community Center. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
10U Show Stoppers Take Third In Road To The Beach National Championship
July 21, 2023
The 10U Show Stoppers finished third in the USSSA Road To The Beach 10U B-Class National Championship. Their season started in January and consisted of 11 tournaments, finishing with an overall record of 43-12-2. They placed first in five tournaments and second twice. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Johnston’s Late Heroics Lead Wahoos To Third Straight Win
July 21, 2023
Troy Johnston had scorched pitches in two previous at-bats, only to come up empty on great defensive plays.
But he didn’t get disappointed the third time he made great contact.
Johnston hit a towering, eighth-inning shot that struck the left-field wall for a go-ahead, run-scoring double, then Jefry Yan followed with another impressive close for his second win as Pensacola beat the Rocket City Trash Pandas 4-3 on Mullet Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
In transforming to their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets, the Blue Wahoos continued their amazing three-year success against the Trash Pandas. This was their 13th consecutive home win against Rocket City, the Los Angeles Angels affiliate, located in Madison, Alabama near Huntsville.
The Blue Wahoos won all six meetings in 2022 against the Southern League North Division team, after claiming the last four games at home in 2021. The teams meet just once at each ballpark this season.
Rocket City had just tied Thursday’s game on Jeremiah Jackson’s 3-run homer in the top of the eighth against Pensacola reliever Josan Méndez.
Prior to that inning, Mullets starter Jonathan Bermudez had produced his best start of the season. He worked six scoreless innings, allowing just five hits with just one walk and eight strikeouts. Included in his performance was pitching out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning.
With two outs, he struck out Jackson on a high fastball, then thew a slider down low to strikeout Orlando Martinez to end the inning and his outing.
Pensacola catcher Bennett Hostetler helped provide run support with two solo homers in the third and fifth innings that were both moon shots toward the water beyond left field. After Hostetler hit his leadoff shot in the third, Dalvy Rosario went back-to-back with a blast over the left-center wall.
That 3-0 lead from four hits through seven innings had Pensacola in good shape.
In the bottom of the eighth, Cody Morissette led off with a walk. He then showed his baserunning skills by never hesitating and making a perfect slide to avoid a tag on Johnson’s double for the go-ahead run.
In the ninth, Yan walked the leadoff batter, then struck out the next three batters with a pair of fastballs and a curve to end the game. He has become the team’s go-to closer following Sean Reynolds’ call-up to Triple-A Jacksonville. Yan is 2-1 with a 1.97 ERA to go along with his eight saves.
The Blue Wahoos will try to clinch the series when the homestand continues on Friday.
by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Fire Started In A Grill Before Igniting Home, Boat And RV, ECFR Says
July 21, 2023
Investigators said a grill next to home started a blaze that destroyed a home on Chemstrand Road Wednesday evening.
Escambia County Fire Rescue responded to the fire about 6:20 p.m. in the 10000 block of Chemstrand Road. They arrived to find most of the structure engulfed in flames, along with a boat and RV.
There were no injuries reported.
ECFR said a grease fire in a grill adjacent to the home caused the structure fire.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Cigarettes In Trash Can Blamed For Cantonment House Fire That Displaced Four People
July 20, 2023
A discarded cigarette is being blamed for a fire that displaced four people Thursday in Cantonment.
The fire on Pauline Street at the corner of Old Chemstrand Road was reported at 11:12 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find fire showing from the home.
According to Escambia County Public Information Officer Davis Wood, the cause of the fire was determined to be discarded cigarettes in a trash can at the rear of the home.
There were no injuries reported.
The American Red cross is assisting the four occupants.
For more photos, click or tap here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Da’Quavion Snowden Found Guilty Of Ladarius Clardy Murder
July 20, 2023
Da’Quavion Snowden was found guilty Thursday of the July 2021 murder of 18-year old Ladarius Clardy.
Snowden, 23, was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder and attempted first-degree premeditated murder for the death of Clardy and injuring 19-year-old Eric Young. He will be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Clardy, a former standout Pine Forest High School quarterback, was found shot dead in a vehicle crash about 1 a.m. on July 1, 2021. His vehicle was found with over 50 bullet holes in a ravine. Authorities say the murder was a case of mistaken identity. Young was also shot in the incident and survived.
Da’Quavion Snowden’s brother Amos Dehontiquan Snowden, Jr. is awaiting trial in the case and is due back in court in late September.
Charges in the case were dropped against Timothy Donaill Knight, Terrell Taquez Parker and Kobie Lashun Jenkins, Jr. due to a lack of evidence.
Chumuckla Man Murdered By His Cousin; Strangled And Ran Over By A Golf Cart, SRSO Says
July 20, 2023
A man was killed Wednesday evening in Chumuckla by his cousin, according to authorities.
Robert Patrick Jernigan, 53, is in the Santa Rosa County Jail without bond on a charge of homicide.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a death investigation Wednesday evening in the 1800 block of Schnoor Road at Chumuckla Springs Road.
Deputies arrived to find Stephen Lee Jernigan deceased. According to an arrest report, Robert Jernigan choked the victim and ran over him with a golf cart. Stephen Jernigan was found dead under the golf cart by his wife.
The report states it was the first time Robert Jernigan had been to the home in about six years. The wife told authorities that the men were arguing downstairs before going outside the home. It was about 45 minutes later that Stephen Jernigan was found deceased.
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