Sappington’s Hat Trick, Helmig’s Saves Power Tate Girls Lacrosse To 7-3 Playoff Win
April 11, 2025
submitted for NorthEscambia.com
Junior standout Tori Sappington recorded a hat trick and sophomore goalie Carly Helmig anchored a stout defense as the Tate Aggies girls lacrosse team defeated Milton in the first round of the 2A District 1Girls Lacrosse tournament at Tate High School.
Sappington was the offensive engine for Tate, finding the net three times on nine shots on goal. Her scoring prowess set the tone, but the offense featured contributions across multiple classes. Junior Taelyn Hubbard added a goal and the team’s lone assist, while sophomore Abigayle Keever, freshman Ashlee Edgar, and senior Hannah Keeler each chipped in with a goal apiece. Edgar and Keeler were notably efficient, converting their only shots of the game into goals. As a team, Tate registered 17 shots on target.
While the offense put up seven goals, the defense and goaltending were equally impressive. Helmig played the entire game in cage, turning aside 9 of the 12 shots she faced for a strong .750 save percentage. Her performance kept the opposition largely in check, allowing just three goals against.
The defensive effort extended to controlling loose balls, as Tate collected 26 ground balls throughout the match. Sappington led the way here as well, scooping up a team-high 5 ground balls. Sophomore Lily Meteiver contributed 4, while Hubbard and freshman Brooke Odom added 3 each.
Tate also found success on the draw, winning 7 draw controls, with Sappington again playing a central role in gaining possession for her team.
No. 4 Tate advances to the semifinals at 6 p.m.on Monday, April 14 at No. 1 Gulf Breeze.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball And Baseball, Tate Softball Earn Wins Thursday Night
April 11, 2025
SOFTBALL
Northview 11, West Florida 1
The Northview Lady Chiefs dominated the West Florida Jaguars 11-1 on Thursday night in Pensacola.
In a complete game, Mikayla McAnally gave up two hits and one run while walking none and striking out 10 in a seven innings.
Avery Stuckey went 3-4 for the Chiefs, while Addysen Bolen and Jamison Gilman each had three RBIs. Bailey Burkette, Aubrey Hadley, and Daviona Randolph each had multiple hits.
Up next for the Chiefs is a trip to rival Jay on Tuesday, April 15.
Tate 4, Gulf Breeze 3
The Tate Aggies beat Gulf Breeze 4-3 Thursday night in Cantonment.
Peyton Womack earned the win for the Lady Aggies, surrendering eight hits and three runs in seven innings, walking four and striking out five.
Mykamia Padgett recorded two RBIs, going 2-3 for the night. Peyton Womack also had two hits for Tate. Kinzlee Biggs, Aubrey Jordan, Taylor Robinson and Carlyn Ham each added one hit.
Tate will host Navarre Friday at 6:30 for senior night.
BASEBALL
Northview 4, Baker 2
The Northview Chiefs earned a big 4-2 district win over Baker Thursday night in Bratt.
Braynt Mason earned the win for Northview, surrendering just one hit and no runs in five innings, walking one and striking out five. Jase Portwood and Grayden Sheffield pitched in relief for Northview. Sheffield allowed two hits and two runs while walking one and striking out two in one and two-thirds innings, while Portwood allowed no hits and no runs in the final third of an inning.
Northview will host W.S. Neal at 6:30 in their final regular season game of the season.
Northview 10, Baker 0 (JV)
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Wahoos Fall Behind Early, Sustain First Loss of Season
April 10, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
For the first time in five games, the Blue Wahoos were in a mid-game hole. They weren’t able to climb out.
The Montgomery Biscuits jumped to an early lead, extended it to 5-1 in the sixth inning and went on to a 6-3 victory that ended the Blue Wahoos’ unbeaten start to the season at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Biscuits (3-1) produced 10 hits against Pensacola pitching, the most allowed in the Blue Wahoos’ (4-1) first five games.
Even so, the game still had some final at-bat intrigue. Blue Wahoos third baseman Johnny Olmstead caused a crowd reaction by driving a pitch deep to centerfield with Josh Zamora on second base. The ball was caught by the Biscuits’ Homer Bush Jr. near the base of the wall to end the game.
Zamora and catcher Sam Praytor both had two hits, accounting for the bulk of the team’s seven hits. Praytor reached base three times, scored a run and threw out two runners trying to steal.
It became a tough start for Blue Wahoos righthander Jacob Miller. In the second inning, he allowed three hits as the Biscuits scored three runs.
Left fielder Matthew Etzel led off with a bunt single. Cooper Kinney then doubled. Tatem Levins followed with an RBI single. The Blue Wahoos just missed turning a double play to end the inning, but instead a second run scored. The Biscuits then pulled off a double steal to plate the third run.
Miller pitched four innings, allowing six hits, but did record seven strikeouts in his first start of the season.
The Blue Wahoos’ Mark Coley II homered with two outs in the bottom of the second—his first Double-A level homer.
Etzel gave the Biscuits a 4-1 lead with a fifth-inning homer off Tristan Stevens.
Kemp Alderman’s sacrifice fly in the sixth scored Jake Thompson, who had led off with a triple, and Praytor scored the Blue Wahoos’ final run in the eighth after leading off with a single.
The Biscuits win evened the series. The two teams will play the third game on the first “Mullet Thursday” when the Blue Wahoos will take on their alternate identity and wear Pensacola Mullets uniforms. There will be beverage specials throughout the game for those of legal age.
Robby Snelling, one of the Blue Wahoos’ Top 10 rated prospects in the Miami Marlins organization, will make his second start after a sharp opening night last Friday.
GAME NOTABLES
— The Navarre Youth Sports Association softball teams attended Wednesday’s game and participated in a pregame parade on the field. The group had 250 members attending the game.
— The Blue Wahoos honored Travis (TJ) Presley on his birthday Wednesday. Known as TJ, he greets fans as they arrived at the top of the main entrance staircase each game. He’s the guy you can hear say, “Welcome To the Wahoos Life” as people come into the ballpark.
— On Tuesday, the Blue Wahoos honored a 98-year-old resident “Miss Bobbie” who sat above the home team dugout and had the entire stadium singing “Happy Birthday” wishes to her on her 98th birthday.
WANT TO GO?
- WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
- WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
- WHEN: Thursday Thru Sunday.
- GAME TIMES: Thursday through Saturday games all start at 6:05 p.m. The game on Sunday starts at 1:05 p.m.
Tate Girls Tennis Beats Pace 6-1
April 9, 2025
The Tate Aggies girls tennis team earned a 6-1 senior night win over Pace on Tuesday. Next up, the Aggies will be at Choctaw on Wednesday. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball Beats Gulf Breeze, Baseball Slips To TRM
April 9, 2025
SOFTBALL
Northview 7, Gulf Breeze 4
The Northview Lady Chiefs beat the Gulf Breeze Dolphins 7-4 in Gulf Breeze Tuesday night.
Jamison Gilman pitched six and one-third innings for the Chiefs, surrendering eight hits and four runs in six and one-third innings while walking four and striking out three. Mikayla McAnally faced five batters in relief over two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits while striking out two and walking one.
Bailey Burkette led NHS with three RBIs as she went 1-2. Mikayla McAnally, Daviona Randolph, and Avery Stuckey recorded two hits each for the Chiefs.
Northview will continue a three game road series Thursday at West Florida.
BASEBALL
T.R. Miller 3, Northview 2
The T.R. Miller Tigers slipped past the Northview Chiefs on Tuesday night in Brewton.
Jackson Bridges was on the mound for five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out seven. Braynt Mason pitched a one-hit inning with no runs, strikeouts or walks.
Jase Portwood led Northview with two RBIs as he went 1-3. Cole Davis, Dane King, Jase Portwood, and Grayden Sheffield each had one hit for the Chief.
Up next, Northview will host Baker in a district game Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Mack’s Homer Leads Wahoos To Win And Record-Tying Season Start
April 9, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Blue Wahoos catcher Joe Mack had a couple of hard-hit outs in his first two games to start this season. Fate changed his way Tuesday.
Mack blasted a two-run homer—part of a three-hit, three-RBI night—then got a birds-eye view behind the plate of reliever Josh Ekness’ clutch relief as the Blue Wahoos held on for a 5-4 victory against the Montgomery Biscuits, going 4-0 to start 2025 at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The game began a six-game series between the teams. The win enabled the Blue Wahoos to tie their best start in franchise history, matching the 2021 team, which was their first season as a Miami Marlins affiliate. They can set a record Wednesday in the second game of the series.
On the first “Doggone Tuesday,” where fans could bring their beloved dogs and tickets were all one price with a meal included, Mack provided another look at why he’s viewed as a rising talent. His two-run homer in the third inning gave the Blue Wahoos a lead they kept.
In addition to his homer, Mack doubled home another run, singled, scored two runs, and threw out a runner trying to steal. He also helped Ekness dial up brilliance as the Blue Wahoos’ closer.
The Biscuits cut a 5-1 deficit to a one-run game in the eighth inning. Blue Wahoos reliever Orlando Ortiz-Mayr struggled with location, yielding three hits and two walks after retiring the first batter.
Ekness entered with two on and one out. He struck out the first batter he faced, then got a deep flyout to end the inning. In the ninth, he struck out the side to end the game and record his first save.
This game also featured a memorable moment for Cody Morissette. A former multi-sport athlete and talented hockey player, Morissette scored three beers with one home run shot.
His line-drive rocket in the fourth inning sailed beyond the right field wall. The ball landed at a table of fans, part of a group outing A
The people were fine. The drinks were replaced. And Morissette had his first homer of the season to give the Blue Wahoos a 3-1 lead.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios worked four innings, giving up a run on four hits with three strikeouts.
In the third inning, Jared Serna led off and reached on a throwing error. Mack then blasted a fastball out of the ballpark. He came into the game with one hit in his first seven at-bats. Mack followed with a double that scored Serna in the seventh. Nathan Martorella then singled home Mack.
Shane Sasaki was robbed of a potential home run in the fourth inning when Biscuits centerfielder Colton Ledbetter leaped above the wall to snare the ball with his glove.
Jacob Miller will be the Blue Wahoos’ starter on Wednesday in the second game of the series.
GAME NOTABLES
- Blue Wahoos corporate sales executive Andie Masten and group sales executive Jessica Voigt together performed the National Anthem.
- Rachel Balkovec, the Marlins director of player development, watched Tuesday’s game from the Blue Wahoos dugout.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Montgomery Biscuits vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday thru Sunday
Free Mississippi State, Florida, LSU Women’s Soccer Games Saturday At Ashton Brosnaham
April 8, 2025
This Saturday, women’s teams from three top-ranked Southeastern Conference schools will compete in the Western Gate Soccer Showdown at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park. The event was first held at the Escambia County park last year.
The showdown will feature 45-minute matchups between the Florida Gators, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers, and autograph sessions will be held throughout the day with all of the teams. Admission is free.
The schedule is as follows:
1 p.m. — LSU vs. MSU
2:30 p.m. — UF vs MSU
4 p.m. — LSU vs. UF
For more photos from last year, including the Mississippi State vs. LSU game, click here.
Ashton Brosnaham Park is located at 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Drive, just north of 10 Mile Road.
The 2025 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will return to Escambia County November 2-9. The top 12 SEC women’s soccer teams will compete for the SE Cchampionship at the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park.
Pictured: The 2024 Western Gate Soccer Showdown. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Praytor’s Homer In Debut Pushes Wahoos To Series Sweep
April 7, 2025
The Blue Wahoos have begun a new season in a most desired way.
After an early lead Sunday was erased in the middle innings, the Blue Wahoos’ bats reignited to power an 8-4 victory against the Biloxi Shuckers and complete a three-game sweep at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
A crowd of 4,004 on the first Military and Family Sunday watched a different kind of win. This time, the Blue Wahoos overcame four errors and used four pitchers to grind their way into a satisfying finish to their season-opening series.
“We’re relentless. We always feel like we’re in a good spot to win the game and think we showed that (Sunday),” said catcher Sam Praytor, a former Alabama Crimson Tide star, who smashed a game-changing two-run homer in the fourth inning to regain the lead.
All the better, it was Praytor’s first start in Double-A. In his second at-bat, his first hit was a towering blast over the left field wall off a 97-mph fastball.
“It was awesome,” said Praytor, who celebrated his 26th birthday Friday. “It is one of those things you think about it, and then once you get it out of the way, you’re like, oh thank God.
“Once I rounded first, I saw that it had cleared the wall,” he said. “It was a great feeling. I honestly wasn’t thinking that I had just put us ahead. I was just trying to have a good at-bat and something good happened.”
A lot of good things happened in Praytor’s collegiate career at Alabama. He led the team in home runs in his final two seasons and was first-team All-Southeastern Conference catcher in 2021. That season he played all 58 games.
It led to being a sixth-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2021. He climbed two levels last season and was elevated to Double-A following spring training.
Praytor understands his role to start this season as the Blue Wahoos’ No. 2 catcher behind returning Joe Mack, the Marlins’ Double-A Player of the Year in 2024.
“Joe is an absolute stud,” Praytor said. “He’s a great player and a great teammate, so I am glad I get to play with Joe, but also whenever I get the opportunity just make the most of it and something good will happen.”
The win Sunday matched how the Blue Wahoos started last season – sweeping the Mississippi Braves in what became their lone series sweep.
“It’s great. I think we have a special ballclub here,” Praytor said. “We have a great locker room and everybody loves to play with everybody, so I think it’s going to be a really fun year.”
The fun times continued following Sunday’s game. This was the first Family and Military Sunday game of the year. Children 12 and under were able to run the bases, and families tossed soft baseballs in the outfield for 30 minutes.
Each Sunday home game, the first 100 active or retired military members can receive a free general admission ticket by showing a military ID at the stadium box office.
The Blue Wahoos wasted little time jumping to a lead.
Jared Serna led off the first with a single. Jake Thompson walked. Kemp Alderman reached on an infield single to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Serna. Josh Zamora’s fielder’s choice grounder scored Thompson. Shane Sasaki had a two-out single to score Alderman for a 3-0 lead.
Sasaki had a big day. He went 2-for-3 at the plate, reached on a walk in another at-bat, drove in two runs, scored a run, and made a great catch of a deep fly ball.
Serna was the team’s other multiple-hit batter, beginning the season with a .333 average.
On the mound, Dax Fulton made his first start in nearly two years. He’s battled back from injury issues that began following his previous start way back on May 11, 2023.
After missing last season while recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, this was a moment Fulton had long awaited.
He got through the first inning while overcoming a walk and a throwing error on a pickoff attempt. But in the second inning, a leadoff walk and two singles led to the Shuckers’ first run. In the third inning, he gave up a leadoff triple that led to a second run when outfielder Mark Coley II was unable to corral a fly ball.
The Shuckers got a third run on a base hit. Fulton was lifted by manager Nelson Prada after a leadoff single in the fourth inning that led to a go-ahead run at the time. He finished throwing 72 pitches, 45 for strikes, while giving up five hits, three walks, and striking out two.
But getting him back on the mound again became a big win.
“Dax is a great pitcher and he’s a great competitor, so it was a lot of fun to be able to catch him (Sunday),” Praytor said.
The Blue Wahoos quickly answered in their half of the fourth inning. Sasaki reached on a one-out walk, raced to third on an errant pickoff attempt, and scored on Harrison Spohn’s single. Then Praytor followed with his blast.
The Blue Wahoos tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning on Sasaki’s RBI double and Johnny Olmstead’s sacrifice fly.
They also got stellar relief efforts from Ricky DeVito and Dale Stanavich, with both throwing two scoreless innings to seal the win.
After having Monday off, the Blue Wahoos will remain at home to begin a six-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits on Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAME NOTABLES
Sunday’s game was the first of the season’s “Kazoo’s Reading Program” parades. Five different regional elementary schools, including one from Panama City, had children and parents attend and make a lap on the field during a pregame parade. It will be repeated throughout the early part of the season.
Blue Wahoos group sales executive Jessica Voigt performed the National Anthem.
On Sunday games, the Blue Wahoos storefronts offer a $6 value meal with a hot dog, chips, and soft drink.
The Elberta (Ala.) Youth Baseball organization attended the game with a group of 250.
Tate Softball’s Strike Out Cancer Games Approaches Quarter Million Dollars For Fight Against Cancer
April 6, 2025
Tate Aggie softball’s annual Strike Out Cancer Game is approaching an incredible quarter million dollars raised in the first against cancer.
Friday night’s game was the 15th annual. With $217,000 raised before Friday night, Friday night’s total at over $24,000 and counting early in the game — that’s over $241,000.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Coach Melinda Wyatt will quickly tell you it’s not about her, it’s not about her Tate Aggies, it’s not about the opposing team, and it’s not about anyone.
‘It’s not about y’all,” Wyatt said to the teams Friday night. “We are just providing some entertainment. It’s about all of these survivors that are courageous that have to deal with something that I never want to have to deal with.”
Everything about the game is donated to cancer research. Admission is by donations. There are raffles, concession sales and auctions. Friday night, 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.
Friday night, the Lady Jags arrived with a check for $8,400.
“That’s why I bring you (WFHS) over here every year is because the other schools around here are cheap,” Wyatt joked.
In previous years, the funds have been donated to the American Cancer Society. Proceeds from Friday night’s game will benefit three local charities — Rally Gulf Coast, the Keeping Abreast Foundation, and the Baptist Healthcare Mammography Program.
“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,” 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.”
As for Friday’s night’s ceremonial opening pitch. It was a “triple” with Tate cancer survivors Kristen Maum, Janice Courson, Sue Hopkins stepping into the circle together.
In game action on Friday night, Tate junior varsity defeated West Florida 8-1, and Tate varsity enjoyed a 5-4 walk-off home run win. [Read more...]
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Free Sports Physicals Offered For High School Athletes
April 6, 2025
Free sports physicals will be offered for local high school student athletes ahead of summer sports.
The free physicals will be held April 10 and April 15 from 3-6 p.m. at Grace Care Medical at 4929 Mobile Highway in Pensacola. The physical is for high school athletes that need their FHSAA participation physical evaluation form completed.
To schedule the free physical, call (850) 960-7971.