Northview Tops Tate Varsity 9-4; Tate JV Shuts Out NHS (With Gallery)
April 23, 2025
Northview 9, Tate 4
The Northview Lady Chiefs ended their regular season with a 9-4 win over the Tate Aggies Tuesday night in Bratt.
Mikayla McAnally earned the win with a complete game with seven innings in the circle. She gave up eight hits and four runs while walking three and striking out eight. Jordan Smith opened for Tate, giving up four hits and six runs (two earned) in five and one-third innings while striking out four and walking five. Peyton Womack closed in two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits while striking out one and walking three.
Kylee Langham slammed a home run to center field to the put the Chiefs on the board in the bottom of the first. Riley Brooks, Mikayla McAnally, and Daviona Randolph each had two hits for the Chiefs. Mikayla McAnally, Jamison Gilman, and Langham each had two RBIs.
Kaylie Mitchell went 1-for-4 at the plate for the Aggies with two RBIs.
For more photos, click to enlarge.
Up next for the Chiefs is the district tournament, with a schedule to be announced.
In their final regular season game, the varsity Lady Aggies will host Escambia at 5:30 Wednesday. It’s youth night…kids wearing their team jersey will be admitted at no charge and receive free hotdogs, chips, and a drink from the concession stand (first come, first serve). A few local youth softball teams will be highlighted beginning at 5 p.m.
Tate 15, Northview 0 (JV)
The junior varsity Tate Aggies shut out Northview 15-0 on Tuesday.
Sarah Mitchell earned the win for Tate, giving up one hit and no runs in three innings, walking two and striking out seven.
Mitchell went 3-3 at the plate. Aubree Gorum and Gracyn Campbell each had three RBIs for Tate.
The game closed the season for the JV Aggies.
NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Miss Opportunities, Fall 2-1 To Smokies
April 23, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Producing two-out, run-scoring hits has been a staple of the Blue Wahoos’ early-season success.
They could not buy one Tuesday. It cost them a game.
The Knoxville Smokies broke a tie game without a hit in the eighth inning and held on for a 2-1 victory against the Blue Wahoos to begin a series that matched the Southern League division leaders at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
It became a frustrating night for the Blue Wahoos. They had runners in scoring position in five of the final six innings, but could not get a clutch hit. They were 1-for-9 in the game in that scenario.
A crowd of 3,568 on Doggone Tuesday with one-price tickets, witnessed a game with solid defensive plays on both sides. The Blue Wahoos turned a double play with the bases loaded to thwart the Smokies in the fifth. Left fielder Mark Coley II made an inning-ending, diving catch an inning later to prevent extra bases and potentially a run.
The Smokies picked off the Blue Wahoos’ Kemp Alderman in the fourth inning and had first baseman B.J. Murray Jr. make a terrific diving stop on a ball scorched off the bat by Nathan Martorella in the eighth. The next Blue Wahoos batter, Coley II, hit a double that would have tied the game.
Three Blue Wahoos pitchers had solid outings adversely affected by a combined eight walks. Two of those walks led to Smokies runs.
The Blue Wahoos started well, getting a first-innning run when Jared Serna reached on a single, moved over on a fielder’s choice and scored on Alderman’s single.
Knoxville tied the game in the second inning when Parker Chavers walked and eventually scored when Hayden Cantrell – a former Blue Wahoos player – delivered a two out single.
Blue Wahoos starter Jacob Miller worked the first four innings, giving up three hits, but issuing five walks. Reliever Justin King pitched out of a bases loaded, no-out jam that he inherited from Miller in the fifth inning.
Blue Wahoos catcher Sam Praytor, now the team’s No. 1 catcher with Joe Mack elevated Monday to Triple-A Jacksonville, reached base twice in the game. His frustration boiled in the ninth when he was called out on a third strike call, then was ejected when yelling at the home plate umpire.
It was among 10 strikeouts for the Blue Wahoos in the game. Coley II had two of the Blue Wahoos’ six hits.
The teams will continue the six-game series Wednesday in a matchup of each team’s top-rated pitcher. Robby Snelling (2-0. 2.20 ERA) makes his fourth start for the Blue Wahoos against Knoxville’s Will Sanders (0-1, 4.05 ERA).
GAME NOTABLES
— Joe Mack quickly made an impact in his Triple-A debut Tuesday with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. After the Blue Wahoos catcher was called up Monday to replace Augustin Ramirez, who made his MLB debut Monday with the Miami Marlins, he was in Jacksonville’s starting lineup.
Batting fourth, he reached on an error, walked and scored a run in four plate appearances. Also joining Jacksonville on Monday was Blue Wahoos second baseman Harrison Spohn, who did not play Tuesday. The Jumbo Shrimp (16-6) defeated the Gwinnett Stripers to extend their first place lead in the International League East Division.
— Three area teachers were honored before the game and threw out a ceremonial first pitch as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Knoxville Smokies vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday Thru Sunday.
GAME TIMES: Wednesday through Saturday games all start at 6:05 p.m. The game on Sunday starts at 1:05 p.m.
Ice Flyers Begin Search For New Head And Assistant Coaches Ahead Of Next Season
April 22, 2025
Pensacola Ice Flyers Owner Greg Harris has announced the launch of a formal search for a new head coach and assistant coach to lead the team into the 2025-26 SPHL season. The decision comes after a stretch of seasons that fell short of expectations, and Harris is now focused on ushering in a new era of Ice Flyers hockey.
“Over the past few years, we haven’t had the on-ice success this organization, our fans and I expect,” said Harris. “As owner, it’s my responsibility to make decisions that position us for long-term success, and that starts with bringing in the right leadership behind the bench. We’ve broken franchise attendance records the last three seasons. It’s time we have a top ranked team to match the off-ice success.”
Harris has received numerous coaching resumes since Gary Graham was relieved of his duties in February, which led to bringing back three-time SPHL championship coach Rod Aldoff as an interim head coach to finish the season. His coaching search will now be expanded and conducted immediately, with interviews beginning in the coming weeks. Harris noted that while wins are a major priority, cultural alignment is non-negotiable.
“We’re not just looking for Xs and Os,” Harris added. “We’re looking for coaches who understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves. Our fans, our partners, our community, they deserve a team that reflects their pride, energy and commitment to success, both on and off the ice. Our next head coach and assistant coach will be strong leaders, be good communicators, bring in players who represent everything defined by wearing the Ice Flyers shield, and be committed to building a winning culture the right way, from the locker room to the community. A coach does this, on-ice success will be sure to follow,” Harris said.
Harris anticipates a high volume of interest from qualified candidates across the hockey world and is looking forward to connecting with top-tier coaches who are eager to help shape the next chapter of Ice Flyers hockey.
“With the reputation of this organization and the passion of our fanbase, I expect we’ll receive a wide range of impressive resumes,” said Harris. “We’re excited to engage with the best of the best and find the right fit for where we’re headed. My goal is to move through this process efficiently and make a decision that sets us up for both immediate and long-term success.”
Late Comeback Seals Road Series Win For Wahoos
April 21, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (11-4) clinched their third consecutive series win to open the 2025 season with a 5-3 victory over the Columbus Clingstones (6-8) on Sunday.
The Wahoos jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. A one-out Joe Mack single and a groundout placed a runner in scoring position for first baseman Nathan Martorella, who drove home Mack with a two-out hit to put Pensacola ahead 1-0.
The Clingstones answered back in each of their next two innings. Facing Wahoo starter Luis Palacios (ND), Columbus tied the game in the second inning when third baseman Keshawn Ogans drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk. Palacios escaped the jam without further trouble, but yielded another run in the third inning when Columbus right fielder Ethan Workinger singled home shortstop Cal Conley. After three innings of play, the Clingstones led 2-1.
Pensacola failed to answer in the middle innings against Columbus starter Blake Burkhalter (ND), who did not allow a baserunner over his final three innings. The Clingstones’ bullpen continued to keep the Wahoos in check into the seventh inning, when catcher Sam Praytor’s two-out walk snapped a streak of 17 consecutive batters retired by the Columbus pitching staff.
Trailing 2-1 in the eighth inning, the Blue Wahoo bats finally came to life. Facing righthander Jorge Juan (L, 0-1), center fielder Mark Coley II and Joe Mack each drew walks to put two aboard with nobody out. Second baseman Jared Serna then hit a 3-0 pitch into right field, scoring Coley from second before Ethan Workinger’s error allowed Mack to score from first. After a pitching change, Pensacola tacked on another run when Serna’s steal attempt of second provoked an errant throw by Columbus catcher Adam Zebrowski. The second Clingstones’ error of the inning allowed Serna to score and give the Wahoos a 4-2 lead heading to the bottom of the eighth.
In the bottom of the eighth, Columbus pulled closer when first baseman Drew Compton doubled home Cal Conley against Pensacola righthander Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (W, 1-0). The Wahoos responded with an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Mark Coley’s RBI single scored left fielder Dalvy Rosario from second. Righthander Josh Ekness (SV, 2) entered for the bottom of the ninth and closed out a 5-3 Pensacola victory.
The series win marks the first-ever series victory for Pensacola over Columbus and the first road series win for the Blue Wahoos in 2025.
The Blue Wahoos return to Pensacola on Tuesday, April 22 to begin a six-game series with the Knoxville Smokies. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is schedule for 6:05 p.m.
Diamond Kings 6U Take First Place In Molino Spring Classic Baseball Tournament
April 20, 2025
The Diamond Kings 6U went undefeated the entire tournament to win first place in the Molino Spring Classic Baseball Tournament.
Caleb Moore slammed eight home runs over the weekend, the most of any player in the tournament. Hayes Fetsko earned the MVP for the Diamond Kings for his outstanding defense.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mack Homers, Pitching Dominates In 2-1 Wahoos Win
April 20, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos got back in the win column on Saturday night, beating the Columbus Clingstones in a game that featured only five total hits between the two teams.
Joe Mack gave the Blue Wahoos (10-4) an early lead with a solo homer in the first inning, his third of the year to tie for the Southern League lead, and Jared Serna delivered an RBI single with two outs in the second inning.
Pensacola was held hitless for the rest of the night, but four Blue Wahoos pitchers combined for a two-hitter to keep the Clingstones (6-7) from erasing the early deficit.
Both starting pitchers were shaky early, as Clingstones righty Jhancarlos Lara (L, 0-2) allowed five of the first eight men he faced to reach base. Blue Wahoos lefty Dax Fulton issued three walks and a hit batsman in his first trip through the order, but settled down and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning in his best start since coming back from Tommy John surgery.
Fulton was lifted after 4.2 innings with two runners on base, and Josh White (W, 3-0) escaped the jam to preserve the 2-0 advantage. In the sixth, White stranded two more runners in scoring position with a pair of clutch strikeouts.
Columbus scratched a run across against Nigel Belgrave in the seventh with a Cal Conley RBI fielder’s choice, but Belgrave returned for a quiet eighth before Dale Stanavich (S, 2) picked up the ninth to earn the save.
Cody Milligan had both hits for the Clingstones, who have only five run-scoring hits through the first five games of the series.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Clingstones on Sunday afternoon. First pitch from Synovus Park is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET/12:05 p.m. CT.
Tate Aggies Receive At-Large Bid To Regional Quarterfinals
April 19, 2025
The Tate Aggies on Friday received an at-large bid in the FHSAA 6A Baseball State Championship regional quarterfinals next week.
The regional quarter finals will be a best-of-three series this year. No. 4 Tate will host No. 5 Fletcher for the first two games beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. The third game, if necessary will move nearly 400 miles away to Fletcher High School in Neptune Beach. The winner will advance to the regional semifinals April 30 against either No. 1 Buckholz or No. 8 First Coast.
In other 6A Baseball State Championship regional quarterfinals in the area, No. 2 Pace will host No. 7 Oviedo.
Looking ahead, the regional finals are May 7, the state semifinals on May 16 at the state championship on May 17.
Pictured top: Tate Aggies seniors were honored recently at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay, Central To Meet In Rural Division Semifinal Series
April 19, 2025
For the second time since 2009, the Jay Royals won back-t0-back district championships and head into regional play.
In the regional rural division semifinals this week, No. 2 Jay will host No. 3 Central beginning at 7 p.m. on April 28. Regionals will be a best-of-three series this year. The first two games will be at Jay. If a third game is necessary, Central will host the third game.
The winner will face the winner between No. 1 Holmes County and No. 4 Chipley in the regional finals on May 5.
The Northview Chiefs, also in the rural division, were eliminated with a 2-1 loss to Jay on April 15.
Homer Heroics Not Enough As Wahoos Suffer Wild Walk-Off
April 19, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
Nathan Martorella broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, but the Pensacola Blue Wahoos couldn’t hold the lead in a 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Columbus Clingstones on Friday night.
Martorella’s homer, the first in the history of Synovus Park, marked the only offense of the night for the Blue Wahoos (9-4), who went 0-for-10 with men in scoring position. The Clingstones (6-6) were little better, only getting one at-bat with men in scoring position the entire game, but took advantage of several late Pensacola miscues to tie the game in the ninth and win it in the 10th.
The game’s two starting pitchers, Pensacola’s Adam Laskey and Columbus’ Ian Mejia, traded zeroes in the early innings. Laskey worked 4.1 quiet frames, giving him an active scoreless streak of 10.1 innings dating back to his first appearance of the year. Mejia was just as good, completing 6.0 innings with only a pair of infield singles and a bloop double allowed.
Martorella’s homer in the ninth against Rolddy Muñoz gave the Blue Wahoos the long-awaited first run of the game, but the Clingstones tied it up just as quickly in the bottom of the inning. Lane Ramsey, on for his third inning of relief, got some help from his catcher as Joe Mack threw out Cody Milligan trying to take second on a pitch in the dirt. Mack’s third throw-out of the night wiped away the potential tying baserunner, but Adam Zebrowski reached second on a pair of errors from shortstop Jared Serna and scored on two Ramsey wild pitches to tie the game.
After the Blue Wahoos were unable to bring their automatic baserunner home from second in the top of the 10th against Hayden Harris (W, 1-0), the Clingstones wasted no time walking it off against Justin King (L, 0-1). Mack committed an ill-timed passed ball to advance Ethan Workinger from second to third, and a King wild pitch moments later allowed Workinger to score the winning run.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Clingstones on Saturday night. First pitch from Synovus Park is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET/5:05 p.m. CT.
Northview Gets Senior Night Shutout Over Baker; Tate Slips To Pace
April 18, 2025
Northview 12, Baker 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs celebrated Senior Night 12-0 shutout of the Baker Gators Thursday night in Bratt.
Before the game, the Chiefs honored Jamison Gilman, their only senior, and threw a ceremonial first pitch to her dad James Gilman.
Gilman went on to pitch a complete run-rule win, allowing just one hit and no runs while walking one and striking out eight.
Gilman and Avery Stuckey each had three hits for the Lady Chiefs, including a solo home run to left field for Stuckey in the fourth inning as she went 3-3. Kylee Langham and Daviona Randolph both had two RBIs, and Addysen Bolen had two hits for NHS.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Northview will host the Tate Aggies next Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the final game of the season for the Chiefs.
Pace 3, Tate 0
The Pace Patriots slipped past the Tate Lady Aggies 3-0 Thursday night in Cantonment.
Back-to-back in the lineup, Kara Wine and Kaylie Mitchell each had one hit for the Aggies.
In the circle Jordan Smith went seven innings for Tate, surrendering three runs (one earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out one.
Tate will host Milton at 6 p.m. Friday before traveling to Bratt next Tuesday to face the Northview Chiefs at 6 p.m. The Aggies will then host Escambia on Wednesday at 6 p.m. in their final regular season game.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
