Blue Wahoos Fall 2-1 To Rocket City
May 20, 2021
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fter 14 games, the Blue Wahoos are even with their record and it has been reflective of how the season has started.
“I think we are still trying to find our identity a little bit, especially offensively,” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel following Wednesday’s 2-1 loss against the Rocket City Trash Pandas at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“Our starting pitching is holding up pretty good. We got (Brandon) Leibrandt going tomorrow and hopefully he can rebound from a couple bad losses.
“The bullpen is coming together, trying to find guys for the back end and how we are going to bridge it there. But guys are stepping up there are finding their roles and hopefully in another week or two, we get rolling and find out where we are.”
The loss dropped the Blue Wahoos to 7-7. The Trash Pandas (8-6) won their sixth game in the past seven. The teams will continue their six-game series Thursday with the Blue Wahoos transforming into the Pensacola Mullets, complete with uniforms and logo hats.
Making his third-start, Blue Wahoos pitcher Jake Eder gave up his first runs of the season, both in the fifth inning. Only one was earned.
A leadoff walk, then a throwing error on a slow chop was followed another walk to load the bases. Rocket City’s Michael Stefani hit a two-run single as part of his three-hit night with two doubles.
But after that struggle, Eder struck out the next three batters.
“He is a monster on the mound,” Randel said. “It wasn’t one of his cleanest outings. He threw a lot of pitches early. Got a few walks, four walks, so about 25 extra pitches. But he responded.”
Finishing with seven strikeouts, Eder, a former Vanderbilt star reliever, moved into lead among Double-A South Division pitchers with 26. The total is second-best in the 30-team Double-A level.
The Blue Wahoos could not catch a break at the plate.
The Trash Pandas made a pair of diving catches to thwart possible extra base hits. The Blue Wahoos only steal attempt was thwarted. There were also several hard-hit line drives right at fielders.
And in the eighth inning, Connor Justus hit a bomb was shifted by the wind just outside the left field foul pole.
That kind of night.
But in the ninth, the Blue Wahoos made it suspenseful. Peyton Burdick followed his three-hit night Tuesday with a blast into the wind that carried over the left-center wall to begin the inning.
With one out, Nick Fortes singled. But Trash Pandas closer Conner Higgins made a pair of big pitches on 3-2 counts to strike out Riley Mahan and Lazaro Alonso swinging to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos had just three hits against Rocket City starter Kyle Tyler, who had his best outing this season. He worked seven innings, struck out five with three walks.
In previous starts, he did not finish the fifth inning in either game. He gave up a combined 13 hits and six earned runs. Wednesday he dealt quality pitches the entire way.
“I thought we swung the bats all right,” Randel said. “Just missed a couple.”
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Jay Lady Royals Beat WeWa In Semifinals, Play For State Title Wednesday Afternoon
May 19, 2021
The Jay Lady Royals got the big win Tuesday afternoon 7-2 over Wewahitchka in the state 1A semifinals in Clermont.
The Lady Royals head into the state championship game at 3:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. Eastern) Wednesday against Trenton.
Mattie Cochran pitched a complete game win for the Lady Royals over Wewa. She allowed six hits and two runs over seven innings while striking out 11 and walking none.
Alayna Lowery homered in the sixth inning, and Caitlyn Gavin had a home run in the sixth inning.
Ella Nelson, Brett Watson and Lowery had three hits each in the game; Christa Sanders added two. Jay had one hit each from Kassidy Nevels and Gavin.
The Jay Lady Royals are 24-5 headed into Wednesday’s championship; the Trenton Tigers are 19-1. Jay has scored an average of 9.069 points per game this season, slightly better than Trenton’s 8.1 points per game.
Santa Rosa County Breaks Ground On Industrial Expansion
May 19, 2021
Santa Rosa County officials broke ground Tuesday on the ne home of Gulf Cable/WTEC to be constructed on eight acres in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park.
Gulf Cable/WTEC currently employs over 300 individuals in the Santa Rosa Industrial Park. This additional property on Armstrong Road will be used to construct a 160,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility that will house and facilitate the growth of operations currently located at 5689 Industrial Boulevard.
Headquartered in Milton, Gulf Cable is the expert of cable manufacturing, producing cables that serve diverse markets including renewable (solar and wind), irrigations, electric utility (distribution and transmission), oil and gas (refineries and production), and petrochemical.
“Gulf Cable is exactly the kind of company we want to be located in the industrial park,” said Commissioner Bob Cole, District 2. “The company is expanding and hiring more people as they continue to grow. They are the perfect industry for Santa Rosa County.”
According to Shannon Ogletree, executive director, and Erica Grancagnolo, associate director of Santa Rosa County Economic Development Office (EDO), “Employment at this facility will increase by more than 20 additional people paying a salary of at least $41,000. This is 115% of the 2020 Santa Rosa County average wage. We anticipate that capital investment at the site will be approximately $3 million. That’s a big win for Santa Rosa County.”
“Gulf Cable has been in Santa Rosa County for a number of years now, and thanks to the business climate here and the support we receive from the economic development office we are continuing to grow,” said Kevin Bate, executive vice president, WTEC Energy Innovation.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Suspect Charged For Trying To Kidnap 11-Year Old From Bus Stop
May 19, 2021
A man was been charged with trying to kidnap an 11-year old girl from a school bus stop Tuesday morning in Escambia County.
Jared Paul Stanga, 30, is charged with attempted kidnapping of a child under 13, aggravated assault and battery. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail bond without bond.
About 7 a.m., a white Dodge Journey pulled up to the girl waiting at the bus stop on Old Corry Field Road and Perdido Street. That when Stanga tried to grab the girl, but she fought back.
Stanga was taken into custody on Betty Road. That’s where deputies found the Dodge Journey he was allegedly driving. Earlier in the day, the ECSO advised the public to look for the white vehicle with a chrome bumper, but it had later been painted black.
“This could have ended very different had this 11-year-old victim not thought to fight, and to fight, and to just never give up. This could have ended terribly,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “Why else do you think that this man stopped his van and tried to pick her up and take her into that van? It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what his intentions were, they were not good.”
At the time of the incident, the girl was playing with blue slime. According to Simmons, Stanga had blue slime on his arms.
The girl is now safe with her family.
Images provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Escambia Fire Rescue Quickly Extinguishes Kitchen Fire, Saves Cornbread In The Oven
May 19, 2021
Escambia Fire Rescue responded to a reported apartment kitchen fire Tuesday afternoon in Century, and even saved the cornbread cooking in the oven.
The first firefighters on scene arrived at the Oakwood Village Apartments on Shady Lane about 1:30 p.m. to find smoke showing from the front door of one unit. There was fire in the kitchen sink due to the occupant dumping a burning pot of grease, and the there was fire under the cabinet from the grease burning through the PVC drain pipe, according to Escambia Fire Rescue reports.
The fire under the sink was put out using the resident’s fire extinguisher. Sheetrock was removed to verify that the fire had not spread.
Firefighters cleaned up the sheetrock from the carpeted floor, and helped finish the cooking
“1 pan of cornbread was removed from the oven completely cooked and delivered to the resident,” the ECFR report notes.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northwest Escambia Doubles Size Of Youth Football Program, Adds Four Teams
May 19, 2021
Northwest Escambia football announced they are doubling the size of their football program beginning this fall.
NWE is going from a four football team park to an eight team park, now fielding two teams in each group. As a result, they are reopening football registration.
Current roster spots available are:
- Freshman (5/6) – 20 spots
- Sophomores (7/8) – 13 spots
- Juniors (9/10) — 11 spots
- Seniors (11/12) — 16 spots
There is a maximum allowed of 25 players per team. The deadline to register is June 10.
To register, click or tap here.
Senior Prank? Tate High Class Of 2021 ‘Donates’ Chickens To Ag Department
May 19, 2021
The Tate High School Class of 2021 “donated” 15 chickens to the school ag department. The chickens were found Tuesday morning on the Aggie baseball field. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Burdick Leads Blue Wahoos To Extra Innings Win Over Trash Pandas
May 19, 2021
After a disappointing offensive series against Birmingham, Blue Wahoos outfielder Peyton Burdick hoped his perseverance would finally yield results.
It certainly did Tuesday night.
Burdick produced three hits, but none bigger than his game-deciding double in the 10th inning, giving the Blue Wahoos a 3-2 win against the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the season’s first walk-off celebration at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Burdick began his big night with a first inning, solo home run that was a no-doubter, even into the strong wind blowing in from the bay.
“You go up there every day, you keep working,” said Burdick, after being doused with a water bucket by teammates near second base. “That’s the name of the game in baseball, you gotta keep working. You never know what day is going to be your day.
“It is a great feeling, especially when you get off to a slow start. A day like today. For sure boosts your confidence and gets your head back a little bit.”
The game also treated a crowd of 3,001 to a duel by two of baseball’s top pitching prospects, both of whom excelled through the first half of the game. The series’ opener was a homecoming for Rocket City manager Jay Bell, the former Tate High star from decades ago, who had an 18-year distinguished career in the Major Leagues.
The Blue Wahoos’ Max Meyer, the Miami Marlins’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft, made his third start resemble his pro debut May 4.
Meyer went six innings for the first time, giving up no runs, five hits, nine strikeouts and just one walk in 84 pitches. It was a rebound from his start in the team’s home opener May 11 when he yielded five runs in a 6-1 loss against Birmingham.
“I was able to rely on my slider a lot more and when I feel I have that pitch down, the game works pretty easy for me,” Meyer said. “I felt good out there. I have to improve on some fastballs. But I was happy with what happened today.”
Meanwhile, Rocket City’s Reid Detmers, the No. 10 overall pick in 2020 draft by the Los Angeles Angels, after a stellar career at Louisville, settled into a shutout groove after allowing Burdick’s homer and an RBI ground out in the first inning.
Meyer spent some time last week on the mound before a Blue Wahoos practice with coaches surrounding him to work two of his pitches.
“The bullpen session helped me get used to the (stadium) mound a little bit better and I was able to figure out my offspeed pitches and we worked on fastball grip,” Meyer said.
The game went into the ninth with the Blue Wahoos holding a 2-0 lead before tough luck ensued. The lead evaporated on a two-out, two-run double by Rocket City’s Ibandel Isabel off closer Colton Hock to tie the game.
But with JJ Beleday on second to start the bottom of the 10th, in baseball’s new extra-inning format, Burdick smashed a fastball into the right center gap to end the game.
“I was waiting for that curve ball to come and he threw me a heater (fastball) with 2 strikes and I hit it the other way,” said Burdick, who finished 3-for-5. “It felt pretty good getting it on the barrel.”
Prior to the game, the Crestview High band entertained fans outside the main gate and performed the National Anthem.
The six-game series with the Trash Pandas, relocated to the Huntsville, Ala. area, after being the Mobile-Bay Bears for 20-plus years, will continue through Sunday.
by Bill Vilona, Blue Wahoos Senior Writer
Rotary Academic All-Stars Named From Northview, ECHS, Escambia Academy, Atmore Christian
May 19, 2021
The Atmore Rotary Club has named 160 area high school students as Academic All-Stars.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the in-person ceremony could not be held this year, and students were mailed a recognition packet.
The Academic All-Star program is open to students who attend Northview High School, Atmore Christian School, Escambia County High School or Escambia Academy. To be named an Academic All-Star, a student must have maintained at least a B average in every subject for each grading period of the school year.
The Rotary Club is presenting over $25,000 in scholarships this year to 37 Seniors. Each four-year Senior Academic All Star will receive a scholarship for $1,000. The seniors who have been an Academic All Star for three years will receive $700, two year seniors will receive $600, and one-year seniors will receive $500. The program excludes Northview students that are full-time dual enrolled.
Those honored as Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars were:
(Four-Year Academic All-Stars are denoted with asterisks.)
NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Rabekah Danielle Abbott
Raegan Michelle Abbott
Kendall Anne Alvare
Sarah Elaine Bailey
Doria Beach
Kendal Brooke Beasley
Chloe Faith Criswell
Riley Elizabeth Dawson
Carsyn Laine Dortch
Austin David Dunsford
Mayson Claire Edwards
Brandon Lee Ferguson
Raleigh Sienna Gibson
Kaylie B Glick
Maggie Rose Godwin
Makayla Jane Golson
Kylie Breann Grantham
Madalyn Marie Grimes
Ava Kate Gurganus
Berklee Savannah Hall
Leah Kathryn Hetrick
Meredith Makenzie Johnston
James Judson Lee
Sarah Kate Long
Leila Ann Mason
Caden Thomas Mills
Chloe Layne Morris
Jackson Johnny Mac Parker
Evin Taylor Pedicord
Cody Tyler Pugh
Chloe Adele Ragsdale
Daniel Tyler Riggs
Wyatt Alexander Scruggs
Dequan Rashad Shabazz
Mandell Levan Smith
Skyler Marie Williams
10th Grade
Clayton Mitchell Allen
Leah Kalyn Anderson
Terrell Luke Bridges
Ethan Scott Collier
Presley Sharee Dortch
Drake Allen Driskell
Logan Taylor Faith
Emma Sage Gilmore
William Cross Goslee
Gabriel Kohle Harigel
Shelby Lynn Kent
Trent Austin Knighten
Emily Grace Levins
Sarah Kennedy Long
Bayllon David Matson
Megan T McGhee
Ruth Nicole Mobley
Elianna T. Morales
David Kaden Odom
Cameron Riley Partrick
Rustin Kyle Pope
Chase Randal Pugh
Leila Katherine Sanders
Simeon Sanders
Dustin James Santinelli
Alana Shelly
McKenna Rae Simmons
Jessica Faith Stabler
Audrey Michelle Stuckey
John Michael Ward
Preston Clay Wilson
Charles Michael Wood
Blake Richard Yoder
11th Grade
Anna Faith Adams
John Blake Bashore
Hunter Shane Borelli
Shelby Nicole Cotita
Miyhanna Patrice Davidson
Casandra Lynn Davis
Kaitlin Hope Gafford
Jonathan Thomas Gibbs
Holley Danielle Gilley
Jason Zane Gurganus
Sarah Margaret Hetrick
Jesse Allen Hughes
Grayson Elizabeth James
Ethan Riley Kilburn
Taylor Lynn Levins
Dallon Thortis Rackard
Sarah Jane Sconiers
Jordan Alise Stanley
Mia Rain Starns
Madison Victoria Watson
12th Grade
Maggie Lauren Amerson ****
Madelyn Brooke Berry
Sehoye Rose Buckley
Naudia Briana-Nicole Carach
Alexis Madison Fleming
Amber Marie Gilman ****
Leia Madison Grantham
Heather Lashea Knowles ****
David Allen Lamb ****
Abigail Lynn Levins
Meredith McKinley McGhee ****
Taheya Lee McGhee
Karelis Jadelynn Morales
Madyson Shai Moye
Jalexis Sy’Rai Robinson
Michael Jerome Sanders
Leah Faye Wood
Lillian Joan Worden
ESCAMBIA ACADEMY
9th Grade
Patrick Byrd
Eli Covington
Timmy Doerr
10th Grade
Abby-Kate Helton
11th Grade
Braden Crysell
Emma Hall
Brady Howell
Jamison Janes
Christopher Long
Ja’Daniel Nettles
Landon Sims
Jadon Stevens
12th Grade
Jeb Black
Randal Bonds
Lillian Bonner
Daughtry McGhee
Rubye Nix
Disha Patel ****
Joshua Spruill
Gabrielle Williams
ESCAMBIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
David Bouler
Evereona Jackson
10th Grade
Shamirica Rankins
Summayah Tolbert
Carmelo Turner
11th Grade
La’Asia Henderson
Charity James
Zahria McCants
Aniya Stots
Sheldon Williams
12th Grade
Destiny Brown
Samantha Forkins
Brianna Morrow
Madison Simmons ****
Mia Simmons ****
ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9th Grade
Emmett Battles
Brooklyn Hursh
Dexter Smoker
Elizabeth Terry
Helen Weber
10th Grade
Elliott Classen
Claire Girby
Sydney Mast
11th Grade
Caeden Battles
Titus Dean
Gage Gades
Joanna Jernigan
12th Grade
Harleigh Crumbly
Morgan Jury
Micah Mast ****
Mia Morris
Reese White
Megan Wilson
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Jay Beats Wewahitchka In State Semifinal
May 18, 2021
The Jay Lady Royals beat Wewahitchka 7-2 Tuesday afternoon in the 1A state semifinal in Clermont. The head to the state championship Wednesday against the winner of this afternoon’s Branford vs. Trenton game. Pictured: The Jay Lady Royals after their regional win last week. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.