Laskey Bears Down Against Former Team, Delivers Latest Wahoos Win
April 26, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
It didn’t take long for pitcher Adam Laskey to feel the ice water again dumped on his head, after once again being the Blue Wahoos’ latest star on the mound. “Just as cold,” he said, laughing.
In reality, so far this season, nothing has chilled nor fazed his performance.
Laskey, 27, a former Duke University star lefthander, continued an eye-opening start to his season, earning his first win after working five strong innings in the Blue Wahoos’ 4-2 victory Friday against the Knoxville Smokies before a capacity crowd of 5,038 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The win gave Pensacola (14-5) a 3-1 lead in the series as it heads into the weekend. The players wore their Pensacola Pok-Ta-Pok uniforms in an alternate identity night — the first of three this season as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa La Diversión initiative to honor the game’s origins.
Laskey’s outing lowered his earned run average to 0.55 in four starts. This one came against the team he pitched for in 2023. The Chicago Cubs made him available in the Rule 5 Draft that December, and the Miami Marlins selected him.
It was his first start against the Smokies, though he worked 6.2 innings in two relief appearances against them last season without allowing an earned run. His focus Friday didn’t include thinking about his former organization.
“Honestly, just trying to stack good starts on top of each other,” said Laskey, who has done that this season. “Obviously, a lot of good friends over there, but once you’re on the mound, it’s time to attack and pitch as well as you can.”
When Laskey left — allowing one run on four hits, no walks, and four strikeouts — the Blue Wahoos bullpen took over. That group has been just as impressive through 19 games this season as the starters.
Relievers Josh White and Ricky DeVito were each credited with their second hold. Closer Lane Ramsey earned his first save by striking out all three Smokies batters in the ninth. His first strikeout pitch registered 97 mph. The last pitch to end the game was clocked at 99 mph.
After the Smokies took a 1-0 lead, Johnny Olmstead reversed that with one swing in the fourth inning. His two-run homer was a no-doubter over the left-field wall that exited his bat at 108 mph.
The Blue Wahoos added two more runs in the fifth inning on Jake Thompson’s RBI single and Nathan Martorella’s sacrifice fly to score Thompson, who had a big night. The Blue Wahoos left fielder reached base all four times with three hits and a walk. He led a lineup where seven players registered a hit.
The game’s most important sequence occurred in the eighth inning. The Smokies had scored a run and had runners on first and third with one out. DeVito made big pitches — a curveball to strike out Haydn McGeary, the Smokies’ No. 3 batter, and then got cleanup hitter B.J. Murray Jr., the team’s top slugger, to fly out to left.
The Blue Wahoos will have Dax Fulton on the mound Saturday to try to clinch the series against Knoxville on a Fireworks Saturday.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Knoxville Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday
GAME TIMES: Saturday at 6:05 p.m., Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
Six Lanes For Hwy 29? Four Lanes For Hwy 97? Rural Transportation Projects Prioritized
April 25, 2025
Six lanes for Highway 29? Four lanes for Highway 97? Those are just a few of the proposed projects on the Regional Rural Transportation Plan (RRTP) 2025 Transportation Project Priorities list — a list of proposed projects that aim to improve mobility, safety, and connectivity across rural area of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa counties, as well as all of Holmes and Washington counties.
The RRTP Technical Advisory Committee will consider the project priority rankings, possibly changing the priority order, during a meeting on May 21. The list will then be sent to the Emerald Coast Regional Council board for consideration, also on May 21. The final list will be sent to the Florida Department of Transportation for consideration and possible funding.
Proposed projects in Escambia County are listed below by their priority ranking.
In the following list, PD&E notes “Project Development and Environment Study” and PE notes “Preliminary Engineering (Design)”. None of the listed projects have been approved or funded to date.
Capacity Project Priorities
2. Highway 29 FL/AL Connector — widen to six lanes from I-10 to the state line in Century – Feasibility Study
6. Highway 97 — widen to four lanes from Highway 29 to state line at Atmore — PD&E
8. Highway 4 (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa) — widen to four lanes from Highway 29 in Century to Baker – Feasibility Study
Resurfacing Project Priorities
1. Highway 164 — resurface from Highway 97 to Highway 29 (widening not included) – PE
2. Highway 168 — resurface from Highway 99 to Highway 4A – PE
4. Highway 4 — resurface from Highway 97 to Highway 99 – PE
6. State Line Road — resurface 0.4 miles in the Century town limits – PE
7. Molino Road — resurface from Highway 29 to Highway 95A – PE
8. Highway 196 — resurface from Highway 29 to Highway 95A – PE.
Safety Project Priorities
3. Highway 29 & Highway 98 at Crabtree Church Road — high crash area — Safety Study
Bike/Ped/Trails Project Priorities
6. Highway 4 — shared use path from Highway 29 in Century to baker — TBD
Freight Project Priorities
3. Escambia AL & Gulf Coast Rail — track and tie rehab — PE
TA Project Priorities
3. Complete Streets Master Plan — Highway 29 from State Road 4 to County Road 4 –$125,000
4. Freedom Road Safety Enhancement — sidewalks, curb ramps, bike lanes from Highway 4 to Jefferson Avenue — $1.5 million
To see the complete project priority list, including all counties, click here (pdf).
The priorities are submitted annually to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as part of the statewide transportation planning process to support coordination across rural and regional efforts.
Man Seriously Injured In Thursday Night Crash Near Bratt
April 25, 2025
A Century man was seriously injured in a single vehicle rollover crash in Bratt Thursday night.
The adult male was traveling westbound on Highway 168 about a half mile east of North Highway 99 when his Chevrolet Silverado cross the centerline and traveled off the roadway. The pickup truck struck a culvert and flipped through a ditch, coming to rest about 150 feet away at another culvert. The man, who reportedly was not wearing a seat belt, was able to exit the truck following the crash.
The man was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
For additional photos, click here.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating. The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Cross Stitch Class Friday At The Molino Library
April 25, 2025
The Molino Library is inviting the community to a relaxing and creative Cross Stitch Classes on Friday.
The class will be held at 5 p.m.
The free class is open to all ages and skill levels and will explore the art of cross stitching and introduce new techniques.
All materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm! The event offers a great opportunity to unwind, get creative, and connect with fellow crafters.
The Molino Library is located at 6450-A Highway 95A in the Molino Community Center.
Escambia County’s Isabelle Jenkins Nominated For Florida FFA President
April 25, 2025
Escambia County FFA member Isabelle Jenkins of Pensacola High School has been nominated for president of the 65,000 member Florida FFA Association.
With the nomination, she was automatically guaranteed selection as a state officer. After a vote at the 97th Florida FFA State Convention and Expo this summer., she will either be president or secretary of the organization.
The Florida FFA Association selected Jenkins and 11 other students as candidates for state FFA office from a field of 39 FFA members that took part in the selection process.
The student members were challenged with an intense interview process, which included an individual interview, individual problem-solving activity, state degree interview, agricultural knowledge Interview, and a conversational exercise.
Dry, Mostly Sunny And Warm Weather Continues
April 25, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Friday Night: Patchy fog after 2am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 87.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Tate Falls To Fletcher In Game Two Of Regional Playoff Series
April 25, 2025
The Tate Aggies fell to the Fletcher Senators 8-0 in game two of a best-of-three series in the FHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship regional quarterfinals.
Keelan Beasley opened on the mound for Tate. He gave up four this and four runs in two and-two thirds innings, striking out one and walking two. Kaleb Posta pitched two and one-third innings, surrendering three hits and two runs while recording one walking and four strikeouts. Sheppard Edgar pitches for two, allowing one hit, two runs, walking one and striking out one.
Brayden Beck went 1-3 for the Aggies at the plate. Game three of the series move to Fletcher in Neptune Beach, near Jacksonville, at noon Central.
Pictured: Tate beat Fletcher 3-0 in game one of the series on Wednesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Softball District Playoff Brackets Set For Northview And Tate
April 25, 2025
FHSAA district softball tourament schedules have been released for Northview and Tate.
In Rural District 1, No. 1 Jay and No. 2 Northview both have a bye on Monday. On Tuesday, Jay will play the winner of No. 4 Baker and No. 5 Central, and Northview play the winner of Monday’s game between No. 3 Paxton and No. 6 Laurel Hill. The district championship will be May 1. All Rural District 1 games are set to be played at Laurel Hill.
In 6A District 1, No. 3 Tate (8-13) will travel to No. 2 Navarre (12-8) on Tuesday, and No. 4 Crestview will be at No. 1 Pace. The district championship will be May 1 at the higher seed.
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Fitterer Fantastic As Blue Wahoos Pitch Shutout Against Smokies
April 25, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos broke out one-time uniforms Thursday night and a specialty theme.
What didn’t change was the outstanding pitching and defense which has been the hallmark of this team’s fast start.
With Evan Fitterer continuing superlative ways, some new players in pressure roles also shined as the Blue Wahoos blanked the Knoxville Smokies 3-0 on Pensacola Navy Days Night at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game took only 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete, delighting a crowd of 4,023 on a Thursday normally reserved for the alternate identity as Pensacola Mullets.
In this case, the Blue Wahoos (13-5) wore brown, bomber-jacket design jerseys indicative of U.S. Navy pilots with a Navy Days logo on one sleeve, and commemorative patch on the other. The actual Navy Days in Pensacola will be May 9-11 when the team is on an extended road trip.
In his fourth start, the 24-year-old Fitterer set the narrative by going six innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six. In 86 pitches, an array of array of fastballs, sinkers, sliders and changeup, he threw 55 pitches for strikes.
“It was great,” said Blue Wahoos catcher Spencer Bramwell, who made his first start and produced in a big way. “(Fitterer) was around the (strike) zone, he was attacking the plan, he was executing everything. He’s a fun guy to catch, so it was a good time.”
Bramwell, a California native like Fitterer, had a good time in his first start of the season. In the second inning, he blasted an opposite-field homer into the right field grass area. First at-bat, home run, which also became the only run the team needed.
“It felt great,” he said, speaking to Blue Wahoos broadcaster Carter Bainbridge in the on-field interview. “I have been waiting for an opportunity to play, so I had to come out and show out. I got the pitch I was looking for and glad it worked out.”
Beside that swing, Bramwell made a statement by throwing out two Smokies runners on back to back steal attempts in the second inning. The Smokies (9-8) didn’t attempt another steal in the few other times they had a baserunner.
Fitterer faced just 21 batters – three above the minimum in his six innings of work. When he exited, relievers Nigel Belgrave and newcomer Jesse Bergin were equally impressive.
Belgrave pitched two flawless innings with two strikeouts and no hits. In the ninth, Bergin made his Double-A debut after joining the team Monday from the Beloit (Wisc.) Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins High-A affiliate.
Bergin topped 98 mph with his fastball, striking out two batters around a walk to end the game. He painted a fastball to cleanup hitter Haydn McGeary to end the game.
Josh Zamora, the Blue Wahoos star in Wednesday’s walk-off win, drove in the second run Thursday with his one-out single that scored Kemp Alderman, who led off with a double.
Alderman followed in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly to score Jared Serna, who walked, stole second, then stole third to continue the Blue Wahoos baserunning prowess. They lead the Southern League with 44 stolen bases.
The win was Pensacola’s fourth in the last five games and provided a 2-1 series lead as the weekend trio of games await. Adam Laskey, who has an 0.79 earned run average, takes the mound Friday for the Blue Wahoos.
“We are close knit group,” Bramwell said. “We’re having fun, so as long as we keep having fun and doing the small things right, we’re going to be successful.”
GAME NOTABLES
— The Blue Wahoos had a live auction Thursday for the game-worn jerseys. Team president Jonathan Griffith was the auctioneer.
— A color guard from Naval Air Station-Pensacola presented the flags for the National Anthem. The singer was Sierra Brown, the chief air traffic controller on the base.
— The Navy Days weekend (May 9-11) will take place outside Blue Wahoos Stadium at the Community Maritime Park and will be an open public festival to help honor the community’s vast military connections will all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Knoxville Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Friday Thru Sunday.
GAME TIMES: Friday and Saturday games all start at 6:05 p.m. The game on Sunday starts at 1:05 p.m.
William ‘Edsol’ Smith
April 25, 2025
William “Edsol” Smith
December 12, 1927 – April 24, 2025
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23
Obituary
William “Edsol” Smith, 97, of Century, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Born December 12, 1927, in Enterprise, Alabama, to John Loyd and Doris Lucille Smith, he was raised in Jay, Florida, and later became a proud and active member of the Century community.
Edsol was preceded in death by his first wife, Burtell Smith; his second wife, Josie Smith; his parents, John Loyd and McDaniel Smith; and his brothers, Harold and Clarence Smith.
He is survived by his siblings: Felton Smith, Max Ray Smith, Jimmy Smith, and Eunice Golden;
His daughter: Deborah (Garry) Dantzler of McDavid;
His grandchildren: Chris (Jerry) Croley of Molino, Bryan (April) Croley of Milton, Amy Croley of McDavid, and Stephanie (Matt) Gilmore of McDavid;
His great-grandchildren: Valorie Croley, Alexa Castro, Tyler Gilmore, Will Gilmore, Miles Croley, Parker Gilmore, Greta Croley, and Preston Croley.
A graduate of Jay High School, University of Florida and Mississippi College, Edsol carried a lifelong passion for learning—and for his beloved Florida Gators.
He devoted his life to education, serving as a visiting teacher, classroom teacher, coach, and principal. Generations of Century Blackcats were shaped by his mentorship, guidance, and leadership.
His service extended beyond the classroom. Edsol was a dedicated deacon of First Baptist Church of Century, a proud member of the Century Lion’s Club, Masonic Lodge, and Kappa Delta Pi. He gave generously to causes focused on youth wellness, missionary work, and supporting those in need.
In addition to his educational and spiritual service, Edsol was also the owner of Century Bail Bonds, which he ran with integrity and care until 2006.
Above all, Edsol was a man of great love—for his family, his community, and his Lord. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, and most deeply in the hearts of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom he adored and inspired.
In his later years, Edsol was lovingly cared for by his daughter, Deborah. Their bond was one of deep devotion, built on years of mutual support, respect, and love. As Deborah cared for her father with tenderness and strength, he continued to be her source of wisdom and encouragement. Their relationship was a beautiful reflection of faith, family, and steadfast loyalty that carried them both through life’s seasons.
Funeral Service
April 29, 2025
Visitation 10:00–12:00
Service 12:00
Jay Funeral Chapel
Officiating: David Boyd
Interment
Cora Baptist Cemetery
12953 Chumuckla Highway
Jay, FL
Pallbearers are nephews
Jimmy Smith
Dakota smith
Dillon Smith
Greg Smith
Pete Smith
Joey Golden
Max Allen Smith
Honorary Pallbearers
Century Lion’s Club Members
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:
Century Lion’s Club Members
P.O. Box 634
Century, FL 32535
St. Jude’s
ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Shriners Children’s
Attn: Shriners Children’s
PO Box 947765
Atlanta, GA 30394