Burkett Throws Complete Game Shutout As Northview Shuts Out Jay For District Title (Gallery)
May 5, 2023
Cason Burkett threw a complete game shutout as the Northview Chiefs claimed the 1A District 1 title 2-0 over Jay Thursday night in Jay.
Burkett went seven innings, allowing no runs and seven hits while walking one and striking out nine.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Justin Smarr went four and two-thirds innings for Jay, giving up two runs and four hits while recording five strikeouts.
Rustin Pope went 2-2 to lead Northview at bat. Kaden Odom, Josh Landis, and Ethan Collier add one hit each.
Freddy Carnley was 2-2 for the Royals, and Ayden Sowers went 2-3.
Both teams head into the regionals next week.
Photos Andrew Garner/Atmore Advance, Ashley Rhodes and others for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Defending 1A State Champs Jay Defeats Northview For District Title (With Gallery)
May 5, 2023
The defending 1A state champion Jay Royals defeated Northview 13-3 Thursday night to claim the 1A District 1 Softball title.
The Royals took an early 6-0 lead in the first before added four more runs in the second. After a scoreless third, the Chiefs mounted a comeback attempt with three runs in top of the fourth, but Jay answered with three more runs of their own.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
Jenna Toups went for five in the circle for Jay, giving up five hits and three runs while striking out four and walking three.
Emma Gilmore led off in for Northview, allowing three runs. Aubrey Stuckey pitched the final four, surrendering seven hits and 10 runs while striking out two and walking six.
At the plate, Kaylee Gilbreath led the Royals going 3-3, and Brooklyn Sorrels went 2-3. Caitlyn Gavin, Carleigh Baker and Ella Nelson each had one hit.
Chloe Ragsdale went 2-2 for the Chiefs. Gilmore and Allison Flowers added one hit each
Both teams move into regionals next week.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Pace Slips Past Tate For 6A District Title
May 5, 2023
The Pace Patriots claimed the 6A District 1 championship 7-6 Thursday night in Pace.
The Aggies held a 6-3 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh. Pace tied it up at 6-6, and the winning run was forced in when a Pace batter was hit by a pitch.
Clifton Quiggins and Drew Reaves had two hits each for the Aggies. Brayden Touchstone, Ethan McAnally, James Davis and Madox Land each added one hit.
File photo.
Johnston Leads Blue Wahoos To Eighth Win In A Row
May 5, 2023
Troy Johnston had his bat cooled to begin this week against the Mississippi Braves.
He made up for it Thursday on a Pensacola Mullets night that tied a piece of franchise history.
Johnston blasted his fifth homer of the season in the third inning, then produced the go-ahead runs in the seventh as Pensacola beat the M-Braves 6-3 for their eighth consecutive win. It delighted a crowd of 4,578 at Blue Wahoos Stadium and matched the longest winning streak in club history, which was first set in 2017, then again in 2018.
A chance at the record awaits on a Friday night with Blue Wahoos taking on another name change as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in participation with the Copa de la Diversión initiative in Minor League Baseball.
Last week, Johnson tied the team record for single-game production with a two-homer, six-RBI game in a win against Montgomery.
After going 1-for-8 in the first two games of this series — hitless in seven prior plate trips — Johnston returned to his clutch-hitting ways. He came up with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. He laced a 3-1 fastball pitch into right center for a two-run single to provide a 4-3 lead.
That pivotal moment was followed by Dane Myers’ sacrifice fly to score José Devers. Joe Rizzo then hit an RBI single to score Johnston.
The four-run rally was a big lift for Blue Wahoos starter Patrick Monteverde, named earlier Thursday as the Southern League Pitcher of the Month. He retired 16 of the first 18 batters he faced before the only dent in his six outings this season.
He gave out a one-out single, then consecutive walks to load the bases. The M-Braves Landon Stevens followed with a two-run single for the lead and ended Monteverde’s night.
But the Blue Wahoos bullpen was again flawless with relievers Austin Roberts (W, 2-0), Brady Puckett and Sean Reynolds (S, 3) combining for 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, four strikeouts, no walks. Roberts got his second win.
Jose Devers manufactured the Blue Wahoos’ first run with his pop fly double, then went third on a wild pitch and utilized his speed to score on a second wild pitch.
The fourth game of the series is Friday at 6:35 p.m. with Pensacola’s M.D. Johnson (0-1, 4.00) going against AJ Smith-Shawyer (0-0).
written by Bill Vilona, photo Nino Mendez / Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Suspicious Package At Escambia County Courthouse Cleared, Building Reopened
May 4, 2023
The Escambia County Courthouse was closed temporarily Thursday morning due to a suspicious package. The all-clear was give about 8:13 a.m and the building reopened.
The package was located outside the courthouse as deputies were opening the building. It was believed that the package was dropped off by an individual, ECSO said.
The ECSO, Florida’s Bureau of Fire, Arson and Explosives, and other agencies responded. The investigation is continuing.
One Injured In Highway 29, Highway 97 Crash Involving Kia, Semi
May 4, 2023
One person was injured in a crash involving a Kia and a semi-truck Thursday morning at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
The victim’s injuries were not considered to be life-threatening in the wreck about 7:30 a.m.
Bot the Kia and the semi were disabled by the crash, blocking the intersection and causing traffic problems.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating and has not released details on how the crash occurred.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Century Expected To Approve Lease With New Manufacturer In Town’s Industial Park
May 4, 2023
The Century Town Council is expected to approve a lease during a special meeting next week with a new manufacturer I in a town-owned industrial park building.
In January, the 50-year old foreign company agreed to lease a building in the Century Industrial Park for their first domestic manufacturing and warehouse distribution facility serving the oil and gas industry in what is commonly known as the Helicopter Technology Building.
Officials had hoped they could begin warehouse operations by the end of February with manufacturing to follow.
According to the town and Floridawest, the company’s commitment to the lease was delayed by, among other things, their work to establish their legal entity in the U.S.
The company has agreed to pay the appraised value of the building — $7.833.33 a month, totaling $188,000 the first two years. The lease will continue for five years with a 3% annual increase beginning in the third year. The company will accept the building “as-is” and pay all utilities, maintenance, insurance and taxes. They are expected to create five jobs at startup with more to come in the first year with an average salary of $46,570 — the average wage in the Pensacola metro.
The FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the economic development organization for Escambia County. Most details about the new company and their plans remain confidential during discussions, as is allowed and is standard in economic development in Florida.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Flomaton Woman Charged With Exploitation Of Elderly Century Resident
May 4, 2023
A Flomaton woman is charged with exploiting an elderly Century resident.
Dawn Renee Watson, 39, was charged with felony elderly exploitation and misdemeanor petit theft. She also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.
The elderly victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that she gave her debit card to Watson, a close relative, to pick up items while she was sick, but never gave her permission for any personal use of the funds.
Watson made withdrawals to her cash app from the victim’s account totaling $669, according to an arrest report. When confronted by the victim, deputies said Watson deposited $130 for the victim but then no longer responded.
She was released from the Escambia County Jail on an $8,000 bond.
Four Injured In Davis Highway Crash; SUV Ends Up On Top Of Car
May 4, 2023
Four people were injured in a wreck on Davis Highway that ended with a SUV on top of a car.
The crash happened in front of HCA West Florida Hospital.
Escambia County Fire Rescue, including a Special Operations Team, responded to extricate the SUV driver. Due to the situation, the SUV was strapped to the vehicle below it and stabilized with stuts. ECFR said the extrication process took just 11 minutes.
Four people were transported to area hospitals by Escambia County EMS. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating how the wreck happened.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Win Number 100 For Northview Baseball Coach Jeremy Greenwell
May 4, 2023
Northview High School baseball coach Jeremy Greenwell is celebrating his 100th win.
After Tuesday’s number 100 in the W-column with a shutout of Central, the team presented Greenwell with an autographed home plate and a customized bat.
Greenwell was the first coach in Northview history to reach 100 wins.
Thursday night, Greenwell earned win number 101 as the No. 1 Chiefs beat the No. 2 Royals in Jay for the district championship.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.