Wahoos Explode For 16 Runs In Blowout Return From Break
July 19, 2025
written by Willie Phaler
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos exploded out of the All-Star break, putting up a season high 16 runs for the second time in nine days on the way to a 16-3 victory over the Chattanooga Lookouts Friday night.
“We’re hot, we’re hot,” starting pitcher Orlando Ortiz-Mayr said. “We’re coming to win the second half. We’re coming strong.”
If there was any day for Ortiz-Mayr (W, 5-5) to make this declaration, it was today.
This high offensive output, paired with an excellent outing from Ortiz-Mayr on the mound, was more than enough for the Blue Wahoos to earn their 11th win of the second half.
After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Blue Wahoos’ bats caught fire in the first inning as they sent all nine to the plate and scored six in the frame.
Josh Zamora started the scoring for the Wahoos, wearing a Kevin Abel (L, 2-7) fastball to the hand to force in a run. Control issues continued for Abel in the first, as Jared Serna scored on a wild pitch. Johnny Olmstead roped a single to right field with two outs to push two more across the plate, ending Abel’s night at just 0.2 innings pitched.
Ryan Ignoffo put the cherry on top of the Wahoos’ first inning out of the all-star break, belting his first Double-A home run 370 feet over the wall in left field for a 6-1 lead out of the first inning.
Grant Richardson extended the lead in the fourth inning, clubbing a two-run home run for his sixth big fly as a Blue Wahoo.
Ortiz-Mayr, who turned in one of his best starts of the year in the blowout victory, provided Pensacola with five innings of one-run ball.
“My defense was amazing, and all of my pitches felt pretty good today,” Ortiz-Mayr said.
The right-hander carried a little bit more with him on the mound Friday night, as his mother was in the stands for the first time this year to see her son strike out eight Chattanooga batters.
“Having my mom in the stands today for the first time this year makes it pretty easy to throw,” Ortiz-Mayr said. “It was crazy. I didn’t know she was here until about 30 minutes before my start. [Emotions] were all over the place, very excited, happy and just thankful.”
The Blue Wahoos’ red-hot night continued in the sixth, finding four more runs. Jake Thompson and Olmstead both picked up an RBI, while Nathan Martorella sent a high drive out to right for a two-run homer, his ninth of the year.
Richardson and Cody Morissette helped the Wahoos keep their foot on the gas pedal in the eighth, as they both knocked in two runs on doubles to tie the season high of 16 runs.
Donovan Benoit, a Pensacola native and a graduate of Pensacola Catholic, made a relief appearance for the Lookouts during the game. The right-hander tossed 2.1 innings and was charged with six runs.
Gabe Bierman tossed three innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen, while Justin King allowed a run in his return from the injured list.
The Wahoos and Lookouts match up for game two of the series tomorrow night. The Marlins’ top prospect, Thomas White (0-0, 2.19 ERA), will make his fourth start for the Blue Wahoos, while Chattanooga sends out southpaw TJ Sikkema (3-2, 6.69 ERA). The Wahoos will don specialty jerseys that honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy, which feature an individual call sign for each player on the back of the jersey.
GAME NOTABLES
— In what’s believed to be a first-ever occurrence at Blue Wahoos Stadium, a female umpire, Isabella Robb, worked as the third base umpire Friday and is set to be the home plate umpire on Sunday. Robb is a Houston native who became a professional umpire in 2022.
The Southern League had a female umpire, Ria Cortesio, work in the league from 2003-2007 before the Blue Wahoos joined the circuit.
— Prior to the game, there was a U.S. Army enlistment ceremony on the field.
— The Holmes County All-Star/Florida State Champions were honored, as players ran out on the field with Blue Wahoos starters as part of the Blue Wahoos’ Field of Dreams group option. The team was part of a group outing on the party deck in right field.
— Infielder Jared Serna and pitcher Justin King were both activated from the injured list on Friday. Serna had been on the injured list since June 23 with a hand injury. Before his injury, he was batting .308 in his last 10 games. King missed a month with his second injured list stint of the year.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Chattanooga Lookouts vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: Saturday’s game begins at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game will start at 4:05 p.m.
Scattered Storms For Your Saturday; Lower Rain Chance Sunday
July 19, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 90. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Gonzalez Man Charged In String of Burglaries Targeting His Neighbors
July 18, 2025
A Gonzalez man is facing a list of charges in connection with a string of burglaries from his neighbors on Silas Circle.
Christopher Jamichael Campbell, 27, was charged with multiple counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, grand theft of a firearm, armed burglary, possession of a controlled substance with a prescription, and criminal mischief.
The investigations began when the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office started looking into several residential burglaries on Silas Circle, just behind the Gonzalez Methodist Church.
One of the incidents occurred between June 15 and June 23, when Campbell allegedly entered a residence by opening an unlocked rear door. Once inside, he is accused of taking men’s and ladies’ jewelry and 47 $2 bills for a total of $9,694 worth of items reported missing. Campbell is also accused of transporting and selling the stolen property to pawn shops and other second-hand retailers. For this incident, Campbell faces charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
Another burglary took place on April 11. Authorities allege Campbell gained unauthorized entry by prying open the rear door of the residence. Inside, he purportedly stole men’s and ladies’ jewelry and a Taylor acoustic guitar, with a total value of $24,750. Campbell is also accused of selling some of these items to pawn shops and other retailers. Charges for this incident include burglary with damage over $1000, grand theft, and dealing in stolen property.
A third reported incident on July 8, involved Campbell allegedly breaking a living room window to enter a residence. Items reported stolen include a Highpoint .45 semi-automatic firearm, a diamond ring, a horseshoe ring, a wedding band, a Nintendo gaming system, and a prescription bottle containing 30 pills. The stolen firearm was entered into NCIC/FCIC. Charges stemming from this incident include organized dealing in stolen property, burglary, criminal mischief, grand theft of firearm, and grand theft.
On July 15, investigators executed a search warrant and an arrest warrant at Campbell’s residence on Silas Circle, where Campbell was taken into custody. Investigators said several pieces of jewelry were recovered from the home.
According to an arrest report, some of the recovered jewelry has been identified as stolen, with other pieces being held pending identification by any additional victims.
Upon his arrest, an unknown substance was found on Campbell’s person and submitted for evidence, the report states.
Campbell remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
West Quintette Road Scheduled To Close, Remain Closed About Seven Weeks
July 18, 2025
Weather permitting, about 950 feet of West Quintette Road was scheduled to be closed on Friday, according to Escambia County.
West Quintette will be closed from Dukes Drive to Highway 95A for storm drainage improvements.
The road is expected to reopen by Saturday, September 6.
The recommended detour includes Highway 95A, St. Matthews Lane, and Quintette Lane.
Residents, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
It’s part of a $2.5 million project that has been underway since late March on Stacey Road. The purpose of this project is to replace the undersized drainage infrastructure from the northwest corner of Stacey Road and Quintette Road to the outfall approximately three quarters of a mile south on the east side of Stacey Road.
The project will replace the existing system with approximately 350 feet of 4-foot x 10-foot box culvert, and will include the installation of 100 feet of a 10-foot-wide paved concrete ditch upstream of the existing system,
reconstruction of three quarters of a mile of Stacey Road and the milling and resurfacing of the intersection of Stacey Road and Quintette Road, and the regrading of the existing downstream ditch.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Warm And Humid, Scattered Showers Likely Today
July 18, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 10am and 1pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light after midnight.
Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 91. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Sunny, with a high near 94. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Alabama’s Back To School Sales Tax Holiday Is Underway; What About Florida?
July 18, 2025
Alabama’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is underway through Sunday, July 20.
During the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, items like pencils, paper, binders, calculators and rulers are free from state sales tax. The holiday also covers school uniforms, books and computers. For the full list of back-to-school items that qualify for the Alabama sales tax holiday, visit this link.
Florida’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday will be the entire month of August.
Escambia Deputy Jeremy Cassady, Shot During A 2010 Hostage Call, Passes Away
July 18, 2025
Rest Easy, 351.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeremy Cassady passed away this week from cancer, 15 years after being shot during a hostage crisis. He was 50 years old.
On October 29, 2010, Cassady was critically wounded in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence hostage situation in which he and two other deputies were shot.
He took a medical retirement in October 2012.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cassady family on the loss of Jeremy. I have been friends with the Cassady family for many years,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said. “Jeremy and his dad, Henry, provided decades of service to our community. The loss of Jeremy will be felt by many.”
Wildlife Education Continues Saturday At Molino Library (With Gallery From Century Program)
July 18, 2025
Sunset Wildlife Connection’s animal encounter program gave children a chance to meet exotic animals up close and personal on Thursday at the Century Library, and there’s another chance to see the program on Saturday in Molino.
The attendees were able to learn about the individual story of each animal, facts about its species, and information on how to make a difference to help protect wildlife.
The free program will be presented at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Molino Library. It is open to all ages.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tax Collector’s MILO Serves 30 People In Century On Thursday
July 18, 2025
Thirty people took advantage of the chance to do business with the Escambia County Tax Collector’s Office during a one-day event in Century on Thursday.
Those 30 people completed 41 title or registration transactions and 16 driver’s license transactions, amounting to multiple transactions, such as tags or titles, per person.
The Mobile Licensing and Identification Office (MILO) is a fully functional tax collector office on wheels, offering a range of services from Tax Collector Scott Lunsford. From driver’s license renewals and replacements to titles and registrations, MILO can handle most vehicle-related services except written and driving tests. The portable office also offers property tax, business tax receipt, and other tax collector services.
MILO will return to the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century on Thursday, August 14.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Christopher James Corbitt
July 18, 2025
Christopher James Corbitt, age 45, born in Mobile, AL and a resident of Rabun died Thursday, July 17, 2025 at his residence. He was a Police Captain for Atmore Police Department.
He is survived by his wife, Jessica Michelle Hadley Corbitt of Rabun; his children, Dylan Lee (Taylor) Brunson, Justin Issac (Emily) Brunson and Braylon James Corbitt all of Rabun; his mother, Kay Charmaine Williams of Nokomis, AL; his father, James Thomas Corbitt of Bay Minette, AL; two brothers, Mika Sean (Krista) Corbitt of Bay Minette, AL and Gabriel Heath (Ashlee) Williams of Nokomis, AL and one sister, Charmaine (David) Paul of Nokomis, AL.
He was preceded in death by a son, Casten Michael Corbitt.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Bay Minette with Reverends David and Chris Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Guy’s Chapel Methodist Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday, July 21, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. service at First Baptist Church.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Springhill Hospice.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, AL 36461 or to Gound Angles of Houston, 1306 Briar Bayou Road, Houston, TX 77077.