Molino 16U Softball Takes Second In GCGSA All-Star Championship
June 9, 2024
The Molino 16U softball team took second in the GCGSA All-Star Championship recently. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Rally After Manager Ejected For 7-6 Comeback Win Against M-Braves
June 9, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
Rarely has Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel become visibly so enraged at an umpire.
But his anger boiled over enough Saturday to get tossed, the first ejection in front of the hometown fans in his four seasons as manager, in the top of the seventh inning as the crowd roared its approval. And then his team had his back.
Jacob Berry laced a two-run, go-ahead double in bottom of the inning as the Blue Wahoos produced a 4-run rally and eventual 7-6 victory against the Mississippi Braves before another Saturday sellout crowd (5,038) at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
As the post-game fireworks were launched above Pensacola Bay in the traditional Saturday display, one of the Blue Wahoos’ better wins this season was celebrated.
It turned even better for this team when the Blue Wahoos (30-25) learned the Biloxi Shuckers beat the Montgomery Biscuits, thus moving Pensacola to within 1.5 games in the first half Southern League South Division race with 13 games remaining.
All of this festive scene began from a rough start.
The Blue Wahoos trailed 4-0 after the first inning. They chipped away to get within a run after Joe Mack’s two-run bomb in the fifth inning for his fourth homer in four games.
But in the seventh, Braden Parker hit a ball that was initially ruled foul by the third base umpire, then a home run after all three umpires consulted. Randel raced from the dugout, exchanged some words with home plate umpire Elliott Melton, then calmed and retreated to the dugout.
But on a 1-1 count to the next batter, Cade Burnell, Randel raced again from the dugout screaming inches from Melton’s face and was tossed out. Burnell grounded out to end the inning.
The Blue Wahoos responded by sending eight batters to the plate, knocking out reliever Jorge Juan, who struggled from the first pitch in the inning to gain command.
Leadoff batter Harrison Spohn started the eighth with a walk. Dalvy Rosario singled. After both runners moved over on a balk, Paul McIntosh hit a hard grounder past diving third baseman Yolbert Sanchez for a two-run double to tie the game. The M-Braves chose to intentionally walk Mack.
After Nathan Martorella struck out, Berry jumped on a pitch from Juan and drove it into the right center gap to produce a 7-5 lead.
The M-Braves got a run off reliever Raffi Vizcaíno in the eighth. In the ninth, after a leadoff single and speedy Justin Dean inserted as a pinch runner, Vizcaíno got Cal Conley to hit into a double play that was started by Spohn at shortstop after a weird hop off the mound.
With the crowd standing in cheering with anticipation, Vizcaíno recorded the final out by covering the bag on a grounder to Martorella at first base. Vizcaíno then reacted with emotion as teammates surrounded him.
The M-Braves began this game with a first-pitch homer by leadoff batter Cody Milligan against Blue Wahoos starter Paul Campbell, who had a rough night.
The next three batters reached, along with an error by Campbell, leading to the four-run first inning.
Martorella drove home the Blue Wahoos’ first run. Mack’s two-run homer was part of a night where he reached base three times as the designated hitter. McIntosh also reached base three times, scored a pair of runs and threw out two M-Braves baserunners in a big performance.
The Blue Wahoos will try to win the series against the M-Braves in Sunday’s final game of the homestand. It will feature the M-Braves’ David Fletcher (0-0, 1.50 ERA), former Los Angeles Angels veteran infielder, on the mound Sunday for a second time this week as a knuckleball starting pitcher.
The Blue Wahoos will counter with Jonathan Bermúdez (2-3, 1.88 ERA), who shined Tuesday in the previous matchup between these two. Pregame activities will begin at 3:40 p.m., including ceremonial first pitches. The actual first pitch of the game will be at 4:05 p.m.
Following Sunday’s game, the Blue Wahoos will have Monday off before taking a road trip to Birmingham, Alabama to face the Birmingham Barons in a six-game series beginning Tuesday.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Emerald Coast Okinawa, a steel drummer group from Niceville, whose goal is to help bring awareness to Okinawan (Japan) culture and Asian-American culture, performed outside Blue Wahoos Stadium before the game, entertaining fans as they entered the stadium.— The National Anthem was performed by the Judson College Alumni, a school located in Marion, Alabama.
— The sellout crowd was the 15th for the Blue Wahoos in 32 home games.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Homestand Finale
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Cantonment Man, One Other, Arrested When ECSO Raids ‘Drug House’
June 8, 2024
A Cantonment man was one of two people charged after the Escambia County Sheriff’s office closed an alleged “drug house” in the 2300 block of West Blount Street.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team conducted a search warrant at the home.
ECSO said during the search, deputies located two firearms, 170 grams of cocaine, 158 grams of methamphetamine, 70.5 grams of MDMA, 4.5 grams of fentanyl, 1,849 grams of spice, 511 grams of marijuana, and over $700.
Donte Carlos Conner of Cantonment (pictured below), 43, was charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking in synthetic drugs, obstructing justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Gerry Damon Worthey of Pensacola (pictured left), 51, was charged with trafficking cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking in synthetic drugs, obstructing justice, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both remained jailed without bond.
Note: Labels were added to the photo above by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Here’s What You Can Get Tax Free As Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Continues
June 8, 2024
Florida’s 14-day Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is continuing through June 14. A second two-week disaster sales tax holiday will take place August 24 through September 6.
This year, Floridians are expected to save millions on vital disaster preparedness supplies such as pet supplies, tarps, batteries, generators and flashlights, which are all included in the list of items eligible to be purchased tax-free.
Below is a list of all qualifying items:
Selling for $10 or less
- Wet dog or cat food if sold individually or the equivalent if sold in a box or case
Selling for $15 or less
- Manual can openers
- Collapsible or travel-sized food or water bowls for pets
- Cat litter pans
- Pet waste disposal bags
- Hamster or rabbit substrate
Selling for $20 or less
- Reusable ice packs
- Leashes, collars, and muzzles for pets
- Pet pads
Selling for $25 or less
- Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds
Selling for $40 or less
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Pet beds
Selling for $50 or less
- Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, or weather-band radios
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks
- Batteries, including rechargeable batteries, listed sizes only – a AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt
Selling for $60 or less
- Nonelectric food storage coolers
- Portable power banks
Selling for $70 or less
- Smoke detectors or smoke alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Selling for $100 or less
- Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems
- Portable pet kennels and carriers
- Ratchet straps
- Tie-down kits
- Dry dog or cat food weighing less than 50 pounds
Selling for $3,000 or less
- Portable generators used to provide light or communications or to preserve food in a power outage
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Collects Over 150,000 Pounds Of Food
June 8, 2024
Residents in our community stepped up to help feed their hungry neighbors during this year’s National Association of Letter Carriers’ (NALC) Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties letter carriers collected 150,455 pounds of food during the drive on May 11. This donated food will benefit individuals and families struggling with food insecurity served by Manna Food Pantries, Feeding the Gulf Coast, ACTS Ministries, We Care Ministries, and Warrington Emergency Aid Center.
“People right here in our Northwest Florida community – your neighbors and mine – are struggling every day to put food on the table. They do not have enough money to pay their bills and buy healthy groceries for their families,” said DeDe Flounlacker, executive director of Manna Food Pantries. “The Stamp Out Hunger food drive makes it possible for Manna and many of the area’s food pantries to feed thousands of children, senior citizens, veterans, families, and individuals in need in the months to come.”
This was the 31st year for the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive. It is the largest, national, single-day effort to put food on the table for millions of Americans.
District 5 Barth, Molino Neighborhood Cleanup Day Is June 12
June 8, 2024
Residents of a portion of Barth and Molino can dispose of yard debris and other items free of charge during a District 5 Neighborhood Cleanup on Wednesday, June 12
During neighborhood cleanups, Escambia County departments team up to bring services to residents in an effort to keep local neighborhoods clean and safe. Participating is easy: Residents in the cleanup area simply leave eligible items at the curb to be disposed of free of charge by Escambia County and partnering agencies.
All debris must be at the curb directly in front of residences in the area by 7 a.m. on the day of the cleanup. Tires and paint cans should be separate from all other debris. Debris piles should not be placed under low-hanging lines or near poles, fences or mailboxes. All items, including containers, will be collected.
Only residents in the designated cleanup area are able to participate in the neighborhood cleanup. Items left at the curb outside of the cleanup area will not be collected.
Items eligible for removal include:
- Household appliances and electronics
- Household junk and debris
- Bicycles and toys
- Old furniture and mattresses
- Barbecue grills
- Household hazardous waste (old paint, motor oil, chemicals, batteries)
- Tires (limit 10 per household)
Items NOT eligible for removal include:
- Building materials (concrete, bricks, blocks, roofing, drywall or lumber)
- Explosives or ammunition
- Auto parts
- Dirt or sod
- Vehicles or vessels
- 55-gallon drums of fluids
The neighborhood cleanup initiative involves an aggressive cleanup effort, targeting different neighborhoods throughout the county, with crew members and volunteers picking up a variety of debris and waste, including electronics, furniture and household items.
Since 2016, more than 6,683 tons (13,366,000 pounds) of debris were collected and disposed of through the Community Redevelopment Agency’s Safe Neighborhood Program.
During neighborhood cleanups, crew members and volunteers visit different neighborhoods in the county to remove a variety of debris and waste free of charge.
Free Plant Swap Outside The Century Branch Library
June 8, 2024
Take a plant, leave a plant, trade a plant.
That’s the concept behind a new plant swap outside the Century Branch Library. The plant swap will be in place through July.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
M.D. Johnson Leads Blue Wahoos To Win
June 8, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
His aunt and her family had not seen the Blue Wahoos’ M.D. Johnson pitch since his collegiate days at Dallas Baptist University.
They made the drive to Pensacola from Waco, Texas to watch Johnson pitch Friday night for the first time in his pro career.
He made sure it was memorable.
In what he later termed his best outing this season, Johnson again delivered superlatives, working six innings, allowing just a first-inning run and helping the Blue Wahoos to a 3-1 victory against the Mississippi Braves to even this week’s series amid a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The win kept the Blue Wahoos (29-25) within striking distance of the Montgomery Biscuits, who had a rain delayed game Friday and a 2.5 game-lead on the Blue Wahoos for the first half Southern League South Division race.
“I felt good,” said Johnson, after visiting with his aunt, her husband and their children on the field following the game. “I was a little bit off at times. I had the four walks, but really kept the ball on the ground better than I have in all the other starts this year and that really helped.
“What I was trying to do gameplan-wise and executing that, I would say yes, it was my best. The only thing I am upset about is walking four guys. I have to keep the ball in the (strike) zone. It has been my Achilles Heel in pro ball. When I am in the (strike) zone, good things will happen.”
They certainly did just that on Friday. Johnson gave up a game-opening double to David Fletcher, the former Los Angeles Angels veteran who is making a comeback bid as a combo infielder and knuckeball pitcher. Fletcher is set to pitch for the second time this week in Sunday’s series finale.
The M-Braves’ Nacho Alvarez followed with an RBI single. But from that point, Johnson retired the next three batters, striking out the last two in ending the inning. The rest of the way, only one M-Braves hitter got into scoring position through Johnson’s six innings.
The Blue Wahoos bullpen was outstanding again.
Patrick Murphy threw two hitless innings, striking out four and bouncing back from a previous rough night.
Austin Roberts recorded his ninth save, the best in the Southern League, sealing the win by freezing Fletcher with a perfect two-strike pitch for the punchout, then getting Alvarez to fly out to end the game.
Johnson has now allowed just one run in each of his last three starts at Blue Wahoos Stadium. A year ago, his earned run average was dramatically lower in home starts than road starts.
Why so?
“Honestly it’s being home,” said Johnson, who improved to 2-3 on the season with a 2.68 ERA. “Whenever I’m at home, my wife’s here, I have my routine.
“I live in a trailer (in Pensacola).. my house. Being home and having a home base is huge. This is where home is.
“I would love to just take (the trailer) on the road trips and it would be fantastic, but it’s not a realistic thing.”
The Blue Wahoos got their first run when Jacob Berry, who returned to lineup Friday after being out with a minor injury this week, singled to start the second inning, then scored on Harrison Spohn’s two strike single.
In the third inning, Joe Mack reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced on Nathan Martorella’s single, then again to third base when Berry beat out a double-play attempt at first. That was big, because a wild pitch then scored Mack for the second run.
Mack then continued his big week at home with an eighth-inning solo blast to straightaway center that just cleared the wall for his third homer in three days.
The series continues Saturday with the Blue Wahoos’ Paul Campbell (5-1) on the mound against the M-Braves’ Jake McSteen. A limited number of tickets remain on the Fireworks Saturday night.
GAME NOTABLES
— The game was designated as ALS Awareness Night. Representatives from the ALS Association-Florida attended the game, participated in a ceremonial first pitch and were interviewed during the game broadcast.
— There were eight different ceremonial first pitches prior to Friday’s game.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
Bicyclist Injured In Crash With Vehicle In Cottage Hill
June 7, 2024
A bicyclist received minor injuries in a collision with a vehicle Friday morning in Cottage Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a 33-year-old female was riding her bicycle in the northbound lane of Highway 95A near Williams Ditch Road she collided with a Chevrolet Tahoe that was also traveling north on Highway 95A.
The bicyclist was transported by Escambia County EMS to Baptist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 57-year dol driver of the Tahoe was not injured.
Flomaton Hosting Free Summer Bazaar And ‘Touch A Truck’ On Saturday
June 7, 2024
The Town of Flomaton will hold a big Summer Bazaar and Touch a Truck event on Saturday.
The bazaar, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., will feature arts and crafts, food vendors and a bounce house.
The touch a truck, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. will allow children to get up close with all sorts of trucks and equipment, from farm and road equipment to emergency vehicles, a helicopter and more.
Both events are free admission and open to the public in downtown Flomaton.
