Blue Wahoos Bounce Back To Beat M-Braves
June 7, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
his was not a walk-off win, but it was one Thursday night deemed by Joe Mack’s teammates worthy of a celebratory, post-game ice water dousing.
After all, the Blue Wahoos catcher had a starring role with multiple exclamations.
Mack smacked the go-ahead run on a solo homer in the sixth inning, then threw out the Mississippi Braves’ speedy Geraldo Quintero in the game’s biggest defensive play in the eighth, as Pensacola held on for a 4-3 victory on Mullet Thursday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Taking on their alternate identity on Thursdays as the Pensacola Mullets, the win was a bounce back moment from Wednesday’s rough 14-6 loss and provided a good vibe in the home clubhouse, following the two losses to start this series.
“This win was a good one. It was a big win, getting back in the win column,” said Mack, after toweling off from the teammates’ bucket splash during his on-field interview. “And not giving in from previous days, continuing to go every single day and try and do our best.
“When we have games like today, we have a lot of fun. I love playing these games and enjoy the game in general.”
Mack went 3-for-4 to continue a hot bat this week. He’s now 7-for-12 in this series with a pair of home runs. Equally important, he threw out two M-Braves baserunners.
The one in the eighth inning followed a leadoff walk by first baseman Bryson Horne. Quintero got a great jump on his steal attempt as pinch-runner, but Mack’s throw was a perfect laser on the inside part of the bag that beat Quintero’s slide by a split-second as shortstop Harrison Spohn applied the tag.
It made an easier situation for reliever Zach McCambley, who followed that second out by getting Cade Bunnell on a lineout to left field to end the inning.
In the ninth, Blue Wahoos reliever Anderson Pilar earned his first save by throwing a perfectly placed fastball on the inside corner to strike out the M-Braves’ catcher Drake Baldwin to end the game.
Pensacola hit three homers in this game to account for the runs. In the third inning, Jacob Marsee drew a two-out walk, then stole second and third base.
Designated hitter Paul McIntosh then blasted a changeup deep over the left center fence for a 2-1 lead.
Zach Zubia led off the fourth inning with a homer to make it 3-1. The M-Braves tied the game against Pensacola starter Evan Fitterer on a two-run triple in the fifth by Cody Milligan.
But Mack’s homer enabled Fitterer to pick up his fifth win on a night where he battled through six innings, striking out seven, but issuing four walks and allowing seven hits.
“It was a big win. I had a good part in it, but it wasn’t all me,” said Mack, who joined the team in late April from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate. “And my teammates really battled. A couple of good homers by Paul and Zubia.
“This team is awesome. We have bunch of great guys and we’re not quitters, so if we lose one game or two games it doesn’t matter. We will find a way to win the next one.”
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos are now 4-2 this season wearing the Pensacola Mullets uniforms.
— Jessica Voigt, a group sales trainee, continued her role as a frequent National Anthem singer by delivering another crowd-cheering rendition Thursday night.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
ECSO: Bratt Man Used Chainsaw to Cut His Way Into Friend’s Occupied Home
June 6, 2024
A man was charged after allegedly cutting his way into a Bratt home using a chainsaw Tuesday.
Brian Steven Wiggins, 52, was charged with armed burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal mischief with property damage, and obstructing justice. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail where remained Thursday morning without bond.
According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Wiggins arrived at the victim’s home with a woman to help remove items.
The victim, who is a friend of Wiggins, left and returned a short time later, irate and asking where the woman was.
The victim told deputies that Wiggins had a chainsaw and began cutting down a tree and screaming, prompting the victim to go inside and call 911.
As the victim was calling 911, Wiggins allegedly began cutting a hole in the front door with the chainsaw in an attempt to get into the residence.
The arrest report states Wiggins cut a hole in the door and kicked in the broken piece before leaving in his pickup truck.
Deputies stopped Wiggins a short time later in his truck nearby on Rigby Road. The report states deputies found the chainsaw in the pickup truck bed.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Derelict Vessel, Fishing Violation
June 6, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer McHenry located the owner of a large vessel that washed ashore near the Garcon Point Bridge and issued him a notice to appear for a derelict vessel violation. The owner had received numerous citations for at-risk vessel violations in the last year but was unable to keep his vessel anchored and in operable condition.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Bower and Brown were on patrol in Blackwater River and observed a vessel operating without proper navigation lights. A vessel stop was conducted. The owner of the vessel had an active warrant and was arrested and transported to Santa Rosa County Jail.
Officers Bower and Wilkerson were on patrol near Blackwater River and received a call of a juvenile operating a personal watercraft (PWC) in a careless manner. The officers attempted to stop them by initiating blue lights and sirens, the subjects continued navigating down the river at a high rate of speed in a no wake zone. The subjects appeared to be operating in a manner to avoid the officers. The officers navigated to the boat ramp and made contact with the subjects and addressed several violations. It was determined the father allowed his 9-year-old son to operate the PWC by himself. The father was issued a notice to appear for the violations.
Officer Brown was on patrol conducting resource and license inspections when he observed two individuals fishing at a local boat ramp. Upon inspection, neither of the subjects had a valid fishing license and one of the subjects had his fishing rights suspended for over a year. Both subjects were cited appropriately.
Officers Bower and Brown were on patrol when they observed a subject throwing a cast net in freshwater. The officers observed the subject catch a fish with his cast net and throw the fish in his vessel. The officers proceeded to conduct a boating and resource inspection on the vessel and the officers found multiple violations with the vessel including the vessel did not have a HIN number attached. The officers also located a bream the subject caught with his cast net. Upon interview, the subject admitted to catching the bream with his cast net. The subject was also found to be fishing on a suspended fishing license. The subject was cited appropriately.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Escambia County Names Human Resources Director
June 6, 2024
Escambia County has named a new human resources director.
Nikki Powell’s responsibilities as human resources director include enforcing the county’s human resources policies, procedures and labor agreements, coordinating a comprehensive benefit program, and serving as the county ethics officer.
Powell brings over 20 years of experience in local government to the role. She joined Escambia County in 2022 as labor relations manager, where she maintained the county’s labor relations programs, policies and procedures, monitored and interpreted employee and labor relations trends, and assisted the human resources department in developing pay scales and analyzing employee wages and benefits. She has served in the interim human resources director role since December 2023.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled to step into the role,” Powell said. “I want to thank the board for their vote of confidence in me as Human Resources Director, and I’m grateful for the support from County Administration and my fellow directors. We have an amazing Human Resources team who welcomed me with open arms when I became interim director, and I couldn’t ask for a better team to work alongside. I look forward to continuing our department’s hard work in this new capacity.”
Prior to joining Escambia County, Powell was accounting operations supervisor for the Escambia County Clerk of the Court from 2013-2022, where she was instrumental in preparing, verifying, and processing payroll for approximately 2,000 employees, compiling financial data, and monitoring and interpreting changes in federal, state, and local laws. Powell’s career in local government began in 1998 at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, where she served until 2004.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Battery On Deputy
June 6, 2024
A Cantonment woman is charged with kicking an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy at breaking a window on her father’s residence.
Niquita Lashon Potter, 37, was charged with criminal mischief and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Potter’s father reported that she had broken a window at his residence on Yacht Harbor Driver.
Deputies arrived to find Potter on the front porch with the broken window behind her. She stated that she was trying to get her belongings, according to an arrest report. She also told deputies that she lived there a couple of years ago.
The father told deputies that she has not resided there since 2019, and he wished to pursue charges for the broken window.
While she was being arrested, Potter kicked an ECSO deputy in his right leg, the report states.
Potter was booked into the Escambia County Jail where she remained Thursday morning with bond set at $2,000.
Blue Wahoos Buried In M-Braves’ Hitting Barrage In 14-6 Loss
June 6, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos would have taken their chances with four extra base hits and eight base runners through four innings against a pitcher without a dent at this level since April.
Just not on this night.
The Mississippi Braves pounded 15 hits, including three doubles from shortstop Cal Conley and six RBI from catcher Drake Baldwin, in an eventual 14-6 victory against the Blue Wahoos on a Fireworks Wednesday that lasted more than three hours before the actual post-game display.
A crowd of 4,312 saw a slugfest at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The teams combined for 27 hits, three homers, two triples, 10 doubles and included a ball hit by the Blue Wahoos’ Jake Thompson that appeared a home run, but was ruled a triple by the umpires on fan interference.
This game began with the M-Braves’ top hurler, righthander Ian Mejia, who had not allowed a run in 29.1 consecutive innings of Double-A pitching and threw a seven-inning, no-hitter May 17, having his club-record streak quickly ended.
The Blue Wahoos’ Joe Mack blasted a two-out pitch in the first inning over the left-center wall, which became Mejia’s first run yielded since April 28 at this level.
Sean Roby then tied the game at 2-2 with his second-inning double. At that point, it was a game pointing toward the home team direction.
The M-Braves quickly changed that notion. They erupted with consecutive 4-run innings to blow open the game, knock out Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios in the fourth inning and require the bullpen to use four pitchers.
Six of the nine batters in the M-Braves lineup had multiple hits.
Mejia was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning, after throwing 96 pitches, so he didn’t get credit for the win. The M-Braves led 10-2 at the time.
For the Blue Wahoos, four batters had multiple hits, including the aforementioned Thompson, who rejoined the team this week and delivered a pair of RBI.
He hit what seemed to be a 3-run homer in the seventh that a young fan caught on the right field berm near the wall, but it was ruled a triple on fan interference. It was part of the Blue Wahoos’ four-run rally that trimmed the deficit to 10-6. But the M-Braves kept pounding hits and runs to widen their lead in the final two innings.
The pregame activities included a salute to the Gulf Breeze High beach volleyball team, which won the state title in only its second season and finished unbeaten.
Mejia was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning, after throwing 96 pitches, so he didn’t get credit for the win. The M-Braves led 10-2 at the time.
GAME NOTABLES
— After being saluted for its state title, the Gulf Breeze beach volleyball team created a unique first pitch with sophomores Sydney Sutter and Allie Hepworth. They were the team’s duo on the court for the deciding third-set win against Berkeley Prep from Tampa to win the championship match. They brought a volleyball Wednesday with Hepworth setting up Sutter for a one-hand smash to the plate.
— The Pine Terrace Baptist Church from Milton performed the National Anthem as part of a 350-member group outing at the stadium.
— The Booker T. Washington baseball team held its fundraiser night at the game
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Thursday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
Cantonment Horse Rescue PER Seeks Donations For Hay And Volunteers
June 5, 2024
Panhandle Equine Rescue, a non-profit horse rescue in Cantonment, is asked for the public’s help to cover the cost of a recent hay purchase and for volunteers.
The rescue received a hay delivery Monday that cost them $1,386, and they are asking for donations.
“This hay will only last a couple of months and then we have to purchase another load, so a general hay fund is definitely necessary,” PER President Diane Lowery sai.
“It’s discouraging since we’ve been operating almost 20 years,” PER said. ‘Lately, we have very few donors or volunteers. Not trying to be negative, just realistic. We currently have nine horses relying on contributions.”
Donations can be made by PayPal or Venmo at Panhandle Equine Rescue @ horse rescue. Checks can also be mailed to PER, P.O. Box 777, Cantonment, FL 32533. PER is a 501(c)3 organization and contributions are tax deductible.
PER also needs volunteers age 8 and up. Contact them for more information.
ECFR Confirms Bratt Road House Fire Was Sparked By Lightning
June 5, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue has confirmed that a house fire early Saturday morning on Bratt Road was started by a lightning strike.
The fire was reported at about 3 a.m. in the 7400 block of Bratt Road, just east of Cox Road.
Firefighters arrived to find smoke showing from the rear of the brick home. They were able to bring the fire under control by 3:20 a.m.
There were no injuries reported.
ECFR conducted the investigation and determined lightning caused the fire. ECFR said the home can be inhabited again after repairs.
Members of the Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire-Rescue responded.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Beach Lifeguards Update Beach Flag System
June 5, 2024
The Pensacola Beach Lifeguards have announced a revision to the beach flag system for Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key.
To remain consistent with state and local Gulf Coast beach agencies, the revised flag system will measure the following surf risks:
- Green flag – Low Hazard: Generally calm surf and currents
- Yellow flag – Medium Hazard: Moderate surf and/or currents
- Red flag – High Hazard: High surf and/or dangerous currents; beach patrons encouraged to remain out of the water
- Double red flag – Water Closed: No swimming or wading
- Purple flag – Stinging Marine Life: Flown when jellyfish, Portuguese man o’war or other stinging marine life are present
“Our lifeguards are revising our beach flag system to remain consistent with our fellow agencies along the Gulf of Mexico,” said Water Safety Chief Dave Greenwood. “Now, we will fly double red flags when we close the Gulf to all swimming and wading. We want to remind our beach patrons always to be cautious when entering the Gulf of Mexico.”
For current conditions, click here.
ST Engineering Celebrates Groundbreaking For Third Hanger At Pensacola Airport
June 5, 2024
ST Engineering celebrated the groundbreaking of the third aircraft maintenance hangar of Pensacola International Airport’s Project Titan Element 2, on Tuesday— marking another milestone of growth and expansion.3
The new 167,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hangar will be equipped with two bays for widebody aircraft. When fully operational in the second half of 2026, it is expected to contribute an additional 500,000 manhours annually. Hangar 3 is part of ST Engineering’s planned airframe Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul, or MRO, complex which will comprise four hangar facilities and is projected to generate over 1,700 jobs when fully completed. It is co-funded by ST Engineering, Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., the City of Pensacola, Escambia County, the State of Florida and other state and federal organizations.
“The new hangar will contribute significant economic benefits for Pensacola and the surrounding region through the creation of quality jobs and increased demand for goods and services,” Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said. “We look forward to the continued partnership with ST Engineering that will help to position Pensacola as a regional center of excellence for the aviation MRO industry.”
ST Engineering North America President Timothy McBride said, “Our expansion in Pensacola aligns with the Group’s commitment to invest in its core business and is poised to strengthen our aerospace MRO network in the U.S. and globally. As we deepen our partnership with the City of Pensacola and play a major role in its growth, we look forward to facilitating job creation in the community and strengthening Northwest Florida’s status as a national hub for the aviation industry.”
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
