Wahoos Swept By Biloxi Shuckers In Twin Bill
May 9, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost back-to-back games for the first time in the 2025 season, falling 10-0 and 5-2 in a doubleheader at the hands of the Biloxi Shuckers on Thursday night.
In game one, Pensacola starter Robby Snelling (L, 2-2) had an uncharacteristically shaky outing. The Blue Wahoos had allowed only two first-inning runs through their first 28 games of the season, but the Shuckers ambushed Snelling with a five-run frame thanks to a two-run double from Luis Lara and three-run homer from Zavier Warren.
The Shuckers added two more unearned runs in the second inning, leaving Snelling with seven runs allowed in two frames. A Brock Wilken solo homer in the fourth and two more Biloxi runs in the sixth would provide more than enough offense for Biloxi starter Coleman Crow, who pitched 4.2 scoreless innings in his longest start since returning from Tommy John surgery. Relievers Brian Fitzpatrick (W, 4-0) and Tyler Bryant finished off the combined three-hit shutout.
In game two, the Blue Wahoos took a quick 1-0 lead on a Jared Serna leadoff single and bloop RBI double from Nathan Martorella. But Evan Fitterer (L, 2-2) struggled in the home half of the first inning, allowing three runs on three hits and a pair of walks before departing with only two outs recorded and 41 pitches thrown.
Shuckers starter Abdiel Mendoza (W, 1-2) settled into a groove after his rocky first inning, completing 5.0 innings of one-run ball to earn his first win. Biloxi added on with a pair of solo homers off reliever Nigel Belgrave, as Garrett Spain went deep in the fourth and Ethan Murray went deep in the fifth, extending the lead to 5-1. Will Childers allowed two walks and a run in 2.0 innings of relief, but finished off the nightcap to send the Blue Wahoos to their first consecutive losses of the year with a 5-2 final.
Nelson Prada was ejected for the first time as Pensacola’s manager after arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Jamal Allen in the fifth inning of game two.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series Friday against the Shuckers. First pitch from Keesler Federal Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Blue Wahoos, Shuckers Postponed By Rain
May 8, 2025
Wednesday’s scheduled game at Keesler Federal Park between the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Biloxi Shuckers was postponed due to rain.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, with two seven-inning games beginning at 5:35 p.m. Game two of the twin bill will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Regional Semifinals: Northview Walks-Off Over Holmes; Jay Beats Chipley
May 7, 2025
Northview 1, Holmes County 0
The Northview Lady Chiefs earned a dramatic 1-0 walk-off win over Holmes County on Tuesday night.
The Rural Division semifinal game in Bratt was tied at zero in the bottom of the seventh inning when sophomore Mikayla McAnally laid down a sacrifice bunt, scoring Daviona Randolph.
Earlier, Randolph had reached on a wild pitch, a dropped third strike before stealing second and advancing to third on an error by the Holmes County catcher.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Randolph said she anticipated a rise ball on the third strike.
“I knew my bat couldn’t reach it, but I swung so maybe block the catcher’s view a little bit with my bat,” Randolph said. “And if it was close I was diving into the bag regardless. And I saw (head coach) Amy (Holland) was like you’re good, you’re good, I knew.”
John McAnally, who is the Northview hitting coach and Mikayla McAnally’s father, knew that Mikayla’s bunt was the right decision.
“They got to go for us at home, or they got to make a throw,” he said. “They read it perfect…She (MiKayla) read where the ball was and bunted. She had the confidence, and we worked on that every day. These girls work every day.
“That was a great fight out game for us tonight,” Holland said. “I’ll tell you that these two guys right here (pitching coach Shaun Tindall and McAnally) are the backbone of our team. John joined us last year, and Shaun joined us this year. My title is head coach, but these two guys right here are the backbone of our team. They are the backbone of our girls; they love them.”
““I just call the pitches,” Tindall said. “That’s just 20%t of the game, and she (McAnally) does the work. Let me just tell you she was on fire.”
McAnally had a stellar night in the circle with a one-hitter while striking out 13 and walking only one.
“I’m proud of my team,” the pitcher said. “I couldn’t have done it without them — if they didn’t get one base and score that run, I was going to have to keep pitching.”
McAnally and Avery Stuckey had the only hits — one each — for Northview as they faced the Blue Devils’ Bri Adams, who struck out then and walked one.
Northview will travel to Jay for a regional final game against the Royals next Tuesday, May 13, at 7 p.m.
Last week, Northview claimed the district title 9-1 over Jay as McAnally pitched a complete game, striking out 17 while allowing one earned run on three hits.
“I’m ready,” pitcher McAnally said, “to back at Jay.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
Jay 9 Chipley 1
The Jay Lady Royals beat Chipley 9-1 in a Rural Division semifinal in Jay.
Layna Lowry earned the win for Jay, giving up eight hits and one run in seven innings, striking out six and walking one.
Carleigh Baker led Jay with three RBIs as she went 1-3 for the night. Miley Mcgee went 2-2.
Jay will host Northview next Tuesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. in the regional finals.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
FCA Game Changer Awards Presented To Local Athletes
May 7, 2025
This week, the Northwest Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently presented their “Game Changer” awards to local high school athletes.
The awards honored their participation in flag football, lacrosse, and tennis. The winners were chosen by their teammates based upon their integrity, dedication, character, and FCA values.
Flag Football
- Madison Levins — Northview
- Meya Dunn — PHS
- Nikari Taylor — Pine Forest
- Jolie Larche — Booker T. Washington
- Adrianna Middleton — Tate
Lacrosse – Girls
- Mattie Hendrickson — Gulf Breeze
- Jade Mills — Milton
- Julia Frosch — Catholic
- Mallory Orcino — Tate (pictured below)
- Lucy Adams Stevenson — PHS
Lacrosse – Boys
- Thomas Ramsey — PHS
- Ezekiel Maxwell — Milton
- Hudson Mitchell — Catholic
- Jacob Poljak — Washington
- Graham Pennington — Gulf Breeze
Tennis – Girls
- Maya Chavan — Catholic
- Madison “Lexi” Hodge — Washington
- Regan York — Escambia
- Parker Briscione — PHS
- Quinn Dunne — Milton
Tennis – Boys
- Dylan Broxton — Milton
- Holt Pair — Catholic
- Christian Revoredo — Escambia
- Alex Kinney — PHS
- Avery Grizzard — East Hill
Photos or NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Miller, Zamora Star In 6-1 Wahoos Road Series Opener Over Shuckers
May 7, 2025
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos continued their season-long 12-game road trip on Tuesday night, opening up a series against the division-rival Biloxi Shuckers with a 6-1 win.
Jacob Miller (W, 1-2) became the first Pensacola pitcher to complete 7.0 innings this season, scattering three hits and one run to earn his first win.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early in the first inning, rallying with two outs against Biloxi starter K.C. Hunt (L, 2-3). Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Mark Coley II, who singled through the left side for an RBI single and a 1-0 lead.
The Pensacola lead grew to 3-0 in the third, as Nathan Martorella lifted a sacrifice fly and Josh Zamora lined an RBI double. Zamora went 4-for-5 on the night, notching the second four-hit game of the season for the Blue Wahoos.
After the Shuckers scratched across a run in the third on a Cooper Pratt RBI single, Miller locked in. The Pensacola righty got through his remaining 4.0 innings without allowing a hit, completing 7.0 innings for just the third time in his professional career and the first time at Double-A.
A solo home run from Johnny Olmstead in the fourth inning stretched the lead back to three runs, and the Blue Wahoos got two more in the sixth inning on a Sam Praytor RBI double and Shane Sasaki RBI single.
After Miller departed, relievers Jesse Bergin and Ricky DeVito contributed hitless innings of relief to close out a 6-1 win.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series Wednesday morning against the Shuckers.
Regional Softball Play Begins This Week For Northview, Jay, Tate, West Florida
May 5, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies have earned an at-large bid on the road in the Region 1-6A tournament this week, while Northview and Jay will begin regional play in a bracket that could see the teams meeting each other again next week.
Region 1-6A
Regional Quarterfinals – May 8
- No 7. Tate at No. 2. Horizon (Winter Garden)
- No. 8 Fletcher @ No 1. Pace
- No. 4 Oakloaf @ No. 5 Bartram Trail
- No. 6 South Lake @ No. 3 Navarre
A more detailed backet is in the first image below.
Rural Division
Regional Semifinals
- No. 4 Chipley @ No. 1 Jay (currently scheduled for Thursday, May
- No. 3 Holmes County @ N0. 2 Northview (7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6*)
* Bot the Northview and Jay games were rescheduled to Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. due to forecasted rain.
If both win, there would be rematch with Northview and Jay in regional finals on May 13.
Other Local Teams
Region 1-5A (May
- No. 8 Gulf Breeze @ No. 1 Niceville
Region 1-4A (May 7)
- No. 3 Columbia @ No. 6 Escambia
Region 1-3A (May 7)
- No. 5 Yulee @ No. 4 West Florida
NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Wahoos Downed In Sunday Finale, Split Road Set
May 5, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (18-9) fell in their series finale on Sunday against the Birmingham Barons (14-12) by a final score of 4-3.
Pensacola quickly fell behind in the bottom of the second inning. Facing Blue Wahoos starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr (L, 2-1), shortstop Jacob Gonzalez drew a leadoff walk to begin the inning. The free pass set up third baseman Mario Camilletti, who hit a two-run home run to give Birmingham a 2-0 lead.
Birmingham tacked on more offense in the bottom of the third inning. Left fielder Caden Connor singled to lead off the inning before Jacob Gonzalez’s two-run home run doubled the Birmingham lead. After three complete innings, the Barons led 4-0.
Pensacola struggled to mount a response against Birmingham starter Hagen Smith (W, 2-0), who proved overpowering in a quality start (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 6 K). The Wahoos left men in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings and ultimately left seven men on base for the contest.
Birmingham’s 4-0 lead held into the seventh inning when the Blue Wahoo bats came to life. Facing Barons righthander Jordan Mikel, Pensacola put its first three men aboard to load the bases before catcher Sam Praytor drew a bases-loaded walk to give Pensacola its first run. With the score 4-1 and the bases still loaded, center fielder Shane Sasaki hit a single to left field to bring home a run and keep the bases loaded. Shortstop Jared Serna’s sacrifice fly to score third baseman Tony Bullard from third cut the Birmingham lead to one run, but the Barons stymied the threat and stranded two runners in scoring position to end the inning.
Pensacola threatened again in the top of the ninth against Birmingham righthander Peyton Pallette (S, 4). A one-out Sam Praytor single brought up Shane Sasaki, who doubled to right field. Barons right fielder D.J. Gladney unsuccessfully dove for the ball but recovered in time to begin a 9-4-2 putout that retired Praytor, who attempted to score from first on the play. Sasaki advanced to third on the throw to home, but the Wahoos stranded him when Jared Serna flew out to finish off a 4-3 Birmingham win.
With the defeat, the Wahoos split the series 3-3 in Birmingham, marking the first time this year that Pensacola has not won a series outright. With an 18-9 record, the Blue Wahoos resume play on Tuesday with the best record in the Southern League.
The Blue Wahoos continue their two-week road trip on May 6 when they begin a six-game series with the Biloxi Shuckers.
Ransom Middle School Girls Win County Track Championship
May 4, 2025
The Ransom Middle School girls track team won the 2025 Escambia County Middle School championship. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Laskey Leads Wahoos To Twin Bill Split With Barons
May 4, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos played their first doubleheader of the season on Saturday night, falling 4-0 to the Birmingham Barons in game one but rallying late to take the nightcap by a 4-1 final.
Game one, originally scheduled for 4:30, was delayed past 6:00 due to the same persistent weather threats that forced a postponement on Friday. Once the game began, the Blue Wahoos managed only two singles as the Barons pitching staff worked a combined seven-inning shutout.
Birmingham scored two runs in the second inning against Pensacola starter Dax Fulton (L, 1-1), taking advantage of a dropped third strike that would have otherwise ended the frame. Adam Hackenberg and Jacob Burke each followed with RBI singles, putting the Barons up 2-0. A Jacob Gonzalez two-run double in the fifth doubled the home team advantage to 4-0.
Grant Taylor worked 3.0 scoreless innings in his start for the Barons, and Jake Palisch (W, 2-0) and Peyton Pallette worked the final four frames of the seven-inning game without allowing a Pensacola base hit.
In game two, the Blue Wahoos jumped ahead in the first inning with singles from Jared Serna and Jake Thompson before a Nathan Martorella sacrifice fly plated the game’s first run.
The Barons tied it up in the second with back-to-back two-out doubles from Gonzalez and Weston Eberly, but that would be the only damage against Blue Wahoos starter Adam Laskey (W, 2-0). The lefty worked 5.0 innings, keeping the game tied 1-1 until Pensacola took the lead for good in the sixth.
Martorella sparked a two-out rally in the sixth inning against Andrew Dalquist (L, 2-1), lining a single to right field. He was off on contact as Josh Zamora sent a pop fly into shallow center field, advancing to third base and then scoring on an errant throw back to the infield. Mark Coley II added an RBI single to score Zamora and provide more insurance.
Josh White protected the lead with a quiet sixth inning, and Dale Stanavich (S, 5) earned his Southern League-leading fifth save with a spotless seventh.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series on Sunday against the Barons. First pitch from Regions Field is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Lady Aggies Present Over $28K In Donations From Strike Out Cancer Game
May 3, 2025
The Tate Lady Aggies softball team on Friday presented $28,989 in proceeds from this year’s Strike Out Cancer game to three charities.
The funds were divided equally, with checks of $9,663 each presented to:
- Keeping Abreast, which works to fight breast cancer
- The Baptist Foundation for their mammogram fund
- Rally Foundation, which fights childhood cancer
Since its inception, Tate Aggie softball’s annual Strike Out Cancer Game is approaching a quarter million dollars raised in the fight against cancer. The grand total stands at about $246,000.
“Personally, I believe it’s our obligation. Ours, not just to help one, but all. Not just breast cancer, ovarian cancer. There’re many different types. It’s our obligation,” Tate coach Melinda Wyatt said. “Because cancer is going to find us, whether it’s a friend, neighbor, family member or coworker. Don’t think it’s not going to affect you, because it will.”
Everything about the game is donated to cancer research. Admission is by donations. There are raffles, concession sales and auctions. During the April 4 game, a chocolate cake topped $200, and a one-of-kind handmade blanket made from 15 years of Aggie Classic t-shirts went for over $1,000. The Escambia County Sheriff’s deputies working the game donate their time. The umpires not only donate their time — they also bring thousands of dollars in donations.
For several years, the West Florida Jaguars have been the opposing team. But they are always on the same team in the fight against cancer, and Tate is quick to acknowledge that they have been a crucial part of the Aggies’ efforts. This year, the Lady Jags arrived with a check for $8,400.
The Lady Aggies enjoyed a 5-4 walk-off home run win.
For a photo gallery from the Strike Out Cancer game, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com and NorthEscambi.com photos, click to enlarge.
