Blue Wahoos Clinch Eighth Consecutive Winning Season After Beating Biscuits
September 14, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos missed out on a playoff berth this season.
But they now have continued an impressive feat.
In a performance Friday that reminded of early summer success, complete with a near-capacity crowd at Blue Wahoos Stadium filled with energy, along with quality pitching and a big inning, the Blue Wahoos clinched an eighth consecutive winning season with an 6-2 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits.
The Blue Wahoos (69-65) have now had winning seasons since 2016 with three different affiliations. This one is the fourth in a row for Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel – the only manager in franchise history to do it – and he guided this season’s ballclub with 60 different players.
Pensacola is the only team in the Miami Marlins organization in 2024, from the big-league club through Class A, that will end the season with a winning record.
After the game, a sizable portion of the crowd remained in the ballpark to cheer Jessica Webster, a stomach cancer survivor and member of the Miracle League of Northwest Florida and ARC-Gateway, as she took a trip around the bases with Blue Wahoos mascot Kazoo.
The crowd cheered when learning after six months of treatment, Jessica is now cancer-free.
It provided a poignant finale to a game the Blue Wahoos needed to end a three-game losing streak this week and bring good vibes back to their dugout.
The game began with Montgomery’s leadoff batter, third baseman Brayden Taylor, smashing a home run off Blue Wahoos starter Tristian Stevens. Taylor is one of nine Biscuits players ranked in the top 10 of the Tampa Bay Rays’ best 30 prospects by MLB Pipeline.
He was also a big part of why the Rays won the first three games of this series to clinch the second half Southern League South Division title, following their first-half division win.
But from that point Stevens settled into a groove and did not allow another run in his four innings of work. He struck out four and had zero walks.
The Blue Wahoos tied the game in the fourth inning on Johnny Olmstead’s two-out single to score Joe Mack, who had led off the inning with a walk.
The Biscuits reclaimed the lead in the fifth against reliever Adam Laskey when Jalen Battles hit an RBI double in the gap to score Willy Vasquez.
And then, the Blue Wahoos produced a rally they had lacked earlier this week.
They scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth, beginning with Nathan Martorella’s leadoff homer. The next three batters reached base on a walk and two singles. Graham Pauley’s single scored Jared Serna, who had walked and stolen second.
Paul McIntosh followed with a sacrifice fly to score Mack. Olmstead delivered another RBI single.
The lead expanded to 6-2 in the sixth when Serna’s sacrifice fly scored Andrew Pintar, who had led off the inning with a single. Pintar, Martorella and Olmstead all had two hits as part of the Blue Wahoos’ 11-hit attack.
Laskey earned his sixth win in relief, working four innings and allowing just two hits, one walk and striking out four batters. Woo-Suk Go finished the game in the ninth with a scoreless inning.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Saturday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: BlueWahoos Stadium
USPS Vows to Fix Cottage Hill Mail Delivery Problems
September 13, 2024
The Post Office says they are working to improve service in Cottage Hill.
Numerous residents of Cottage Hill reached out to NorthEscambia.com to complain about mail delivery problems in Cottage Hill. Residents complained about missing packages, missing paychecks, missing medications and other delivery problems. Others stated that they often would receive other peoples’ mail and then take it to them.
We contacted the the U.S. Postal Service for a response.
“The Postal Service plays an important role in the community, and we are committed to providing the best service possible. We apologize for any inconvenience that may have been experienced by our customers in Cottage Hill,” Ashley S. Holmes Mullenix, a USPS corporate communications specialist told us in an emailed statement. “Local management is aware of recent service concerns in the area and is working to resolve them. We are confident that customers should see improvements in service very soon.”
Mail delivery for Cottage Hill is handled by the Cantonment Post Office.
Mullenix said that if anyone needs assistance with mailing or shipping concerns involving the USPS, they can contact a manager or supervisor at their local post office, call or 1-800-ASK-USPS or visit them online.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Vendor Applications Being Accepted For Molino Craft Extravaganza
September 13, 2024
The Molino Mid County Historical Society is gearing up to host a Craft Extravaganza on Saturday, October 5. The event will showcase the talents of local artisans and crafters, offering a variety of handmade treasures.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors can browse a wide selection of handcrafted items, including home decor, jewelry, walking sticks, wreaths, cups, flower arrangements, 3-D printed creations, gifts and more. Food vendors will also be on site to satisfy hungry shoppers..
The Craft Extravaganza will be held at the Molino Community Center, at 6450 Highway 95A North. For more information or to obtain a vendor application, contact the Historical Society at mmchs2000@gmail.com or (850) 587-5011. Vendor registration deadline is September 15.
Escambia County Elementary Schools Hold Open House Events
September 13, 2024
Elementary school open house events were held this week in the Escambia County Public School district. Pictured: Open House Thursday evening at Bratt and Lipscomb elementary schools. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Edge Hoboes in Three Set Battle (With Gallery)
September 13, 2024
The Norview Chiefs defeated the Hoboes of Laurel Hill in three sets Thursday evening on their home court in Bratt.
The Chiefs took the first set by a score of 25-20. The Chiefs secured a 25-21 victory in the second., and Northview took the third set 25-23.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Chiefs will travel to Laurel Hill for a rematch with the Hoboes on Thursday, September 19.
The Northview Chiefs will host the Escambia Gators on Monday at and J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs on Tuesday. All of next week’s games will begin at 5:00.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Biscuits Blast Past Blue Wahoos For Twinbill Sweep And Second-Half Crown
September 13, 2024
written by Bill Vilona
After fringes of a hurricane interrupted this final homestand, the Blue Wahoos returned Thursday and were hit with a power surge.
The Montgomery Biscuits blasted five home runs, including four by different players in the first game and a big first-inning blast in the nightcap, to sweep a doubleheader with 10-3 and 4-3 wins that clinched a second-half division crown and eliminated the Blue Wahoos from playoff contention.
Following the game, the Biscuits (80-54 overall, 40-25 in second half) celebrated in the visitors’ dugout with a variety of beverage sprays and chugs of beer.
Their playoff opponent in the Southern League divisional series next week will likely be the Biloxi Shuckers, who led late in their Thursday game over the Mississippi Braves with a magic number of one.
For the Blue Wahoos (68-65 overall, 30-35 in second half), it’s the first time they’ve missed the playoffs since 2021.
They faced long odds this week, needing to win at least five games against a Montgomery team loaded with nine of the top 10 prospects in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system.
Following Wednesday’s postponement – the first time the Blue Wahoos were forced to postpone a home game in two years — the Biscuits’ dual wins in two seven-inning games at Blue Wahoos Stadium continued a season trend. The weather Thursday turned sunny with a wind blowing out to left field and the Biscuits took full advantage.
They are now 19-8 this season against the Blue Wahoos. They’ve won all three games so far this week heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
The first game Thursday had the Biscuits holding a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning. The Blue Wahoos scored the game’s first run on newcomer Kemp Alderman’s second inning homer.
But in the sixth, the Biscuits got a pair of runs against Blue Wahoos reliever Chandler Jozwiak, then walloped three homers in the seventh against relievers Josh Ekness and Josh White in a five-run rally that blew open the game.
In Game 2, Montgomery shortstop Carson Williams, the No. 2 rated prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, hit a three-run homer off starter Jacob Miller. The Biscuits then made it 4-0 in the second after Jalen Battles reached on an error, then scored on Williams’ RBI single.
The Blue Wahoos halved the deficit on Johnny Olmstead’s two-run homer in the fourth inning. They added another on Andrew Pintar’s RBI double in the fifth inning, but left the bases loaded with one out in a sequence that proved decisive.
The Blue Wahoos did not get a base runner in the final two innings against the Biscuits bullpen.
These losses dropped the Blue Wahoos to a losing home record (32-34) this season. They have not won a six-game home series since the first week of June.
They will now try to get a win Friday in the fourth game of the series with righthander Tristian Stevens (2-3, 3.98 ERA) on the mound.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Friday, 6:05 p.m.
WHERE: BlueWahoos Stadium
Man Sentenced Gets 30 Years For Exposing Himself To Kids Inside Davis Hwy. Business
September 13, 2024
An Escambia County man has been sentenced to 30 years is state prison and labeled as a sexual predator for exposing himself to two children at a Davis Highway business earlier this year.
Christopher Scott Steele, now 45, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge John Simon. Steele pleaded guilty to two counts of lewd or lascivious exhibition in the presence of a victim under age 16.
Prosecutors said Steele was inside BJs Wholesale Club when he exposed his genitals to two minor children in a lewd manner. He was arrested a short time later by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
“Steele was convicted of a sex related offense in 2003 in the State of Alabama. After moving to Florida, this defendant has been in and out of state prison over the last twenty years for failure to follow sex offender registration laws. Steele has shown a blatant disregard for the laws of this State and this sentence will help protect the community and children in the future,” Carrie Gilmer, prosecuting attorney, said in a statement.
Jim Allen First Graders Learn About 9/11 (Photo Gallery)
September 12, 2024
“There were lots of heroes on 9-11. Everyone showed love. I can show love be being kind to others. I can help other.”
That’s what one student in Ms. Smith’s class wrote about 9/11 in a class project on Wednesday.
The students discussed the importance of bravery, love for our country, and showing compassion, and how they can embody these values as first graders.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Forest Service Hosting Women’s Land Management Event
September 12, 2024
The Florida Forest Service is partnering with the Florida Women Landowners Association and other organizations to host a women’s land management educational event October 21 as part of Working Forest Week.
“Forests Worked by Women, Work!” will be hosted on the Estes property in between Walnut Hill and Barrineau Park.
The Forest Service said land ownership by women is growing. According to the National Woodland Owners Survey women ownership is now more than 25%. Studies show, women think differently about the land they own than men do and often have different objectives for their land, different ways of achieving those objectives and different styles of learning about land management.
The event will be from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will give women the opportunity to learn about herbicide application, finances, chainsaw safety and maintenance, and resources available from agencies and nonprofits. Registration is limited. Click here to register and fore more information. Tickets are free.
For more information on the event, please contact Escambia County Forester Cathy Hardin at (850) 587-5237 or email Cathy.Hardin@FDACS.gov.
Florida Forests Week was created in 2015 in partnership with the Florida Forestry Association and annually celebrates the benefits of actively managed forests.
Man Killed When Struck By Two Vehicles On Highway 29
September 12, 2024
A man was killed when he was struck by two vehicles Wednesday night on Highway 29.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. on Highway 29 near West 9 1/2 Mile Road. An unknown age man was crossing the roadway when he was struck by two northbound vehicles. FHP said he was wearing dark clothing, and with no lighting in the area, the drivers could not see him in the rain.
The first vehicle, a pickup truck driven by a 71-year-old Molino man, collided with the pedestrian, who has not yet been identified. A second vehicle, a car driven by a 62-year-old Cantonment woman, then struck the man. Both drivers were uninjured.
The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Further details have not been released.