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.
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.
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.
Atmore Woman Charged After Altercation At Child’s First Birthday Party In Cantonment
July 17, 2025
A first birthday celebration in Cantonment allegedly turned violent late last week, leading to the arrest of an Atmore woman.
Kaylin Marie Henderson, 23, was charged with felony aggravated battery. She was later released on a $5,000 bond.
According to an arrest report, deputies responded to a disturbance complaint in Cantonment where they found the victim with a significant laceration to her forehead. She reported that she had arrived at the residence to celebrate the birthday of her friend’s son. Henderson, the child’s birth mother, also arrived later to visit her child.
Henderson was asked to return the child and refused, the report states. After the child was taken back, the victim said that as she was leaving, Henderson struck her twice in the head with a keychain with metal weights, causing the laceration. She reported feeling dizzy and seeing a lot of blood. A witness corroborated the claim, according to the report, saying that Henderson wrapped a keychain cord around her hand and “stabbed” the victim with the object.
A deputy located and detained Henderson on Chippindale Road, and she reportedly made a spontaneous utterance of “I (expletive) up I know it” before saying that she did not strike the victim. Deputies reported that she was in possession of a yellow card with metal weights at one end and a piece of chain at the other.
The victim was treated on scene by Escambia County EMS, but she refused transport to the hospital.
Century Seeks Bids For Trash, Recycling Contractor For The First Time In Years
July 17, 2025
For the first time in a decade or more, the Town of Century is requesting bids for garbage collection, and they are potentially adding recycling services.
The town currently contracts with Republic Services to collect garbage within the town limits. Republic has a provision in their contract that allows them to increase the rates they charge the town each December to match the Consumer Price Index. The town annually passes the rate increase directly along to residents.
In July 2020, Century renewed a five-year contract with Republic Services without seeking bids from other potential providers.
Now, the town is accepting proposals for an exclusive franchise for solid waste collection and recycling services for a five-year term.
The deadline for licensed companies to submit a bid is 2 p.m. on August 11.
For residential customers, the town is seeking weekly garbage and yard waste collection, bi-weekly recycling, and quarterly bulk waste service.
According to the most recent rates we received from the town, residential customers pay $27.44, plus tax, per month for one per week collection with additional cans at $5.92 each. The trash service is billed on residents’ water bills.
Pictured: Century’s solid waste contractor, Republic Services, collects along Jefferson Avenue. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Manny Diaz Jr. Introduced As UWF Interim President
July 17, 2025
The University of West Florida on Wednesday formally introduced Interim President Manny Diaz, Jr. to the campus and community.
Diaz was approved by the Florida Board of Governors on June 18, following his appointment by the UWF Board of Trustees on May 27. He replaces Martha Saunders, who announced her resignation in May.
Diaz emphasized expanding academic excellence, growing workforce-aligned programs, and strengthening UWF’s impact across the region.
“I am honored to step into this role and lead the University of West Florida into this next chapter,” Diaz said. “UWF has a proud legacy and a promising future, and I look forward to working alongside our students, faculty, staff and community partners to continue building on its momentum. Together, we will advance and explore new opportunities to serve our region and state with excellence.”
Diaz’s leadership will focus on strengthening academic excellence and expanding UWF’s research capacity, growing workforce-aligned programs and partnerships, promoting access and affordability for students, and enhancing the University’s role in driving economic and community development across Northwest Florida.
Diaz most recently served as Florida’s Commissioner of Education, a role he held from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, he served in the Florida Senate from 2018 to 2022 and the Florida House of Representatives from 2012 to 2018, where he held several leadership positions including chair of the Senate Education Committee.
Diaz’s term as interim president is for one year. His base annual salary is $643,000, but that can be extended if he is named the permanent university president.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
