Military Appreciation Night: Tate Defeats Navarre 6-5
April 10, 2024
Tate defeated the Navarre Raiders 6-5 Tuesday on the Aggies’ Military Appreciation Night in Cantonment.
Neal Croom earned the win for Tate, giving up five hits and four runs in five and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking two. Zane Warrington went for one inning and Nate Conners for one-third of an inning in relief, each giving up one hit.
Cole McNair went 3-3 with three RBIs, and Ketch King went 2-2 for the Aggies. C Hassell added one hit with one RBI.
Tate honored military members Tuesday night and provided free entry with a military identification.
Up next, the Aggies will be at Pace for a 7:00 game Friday night.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Tennis Boys And Girls Defeat Washington
April 10, 2024
Tate High Aggies boys and girls tennis teams earned wins over Washington High Tuesday. The boys won 6-1, and the girls won 4-3. Thursday, Aggies tennis will host their last regular season match against Pace. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Blanked By Biscuits In First Loss of Season
April 10, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos began their road schedule with a shutout loss on Tuesday night, falling 9-0 to the Montgomery Biscuits.
Jonathan Bermúdez (L, 0-1) allowed only two runs over 5.0 innings, but things got out of hand in an ugly seven-run sixth inning against the Pensacola bullpen.
Eight Montgomery hits, four of which glanced off the gloves of Blue Wahoos infielders, made for a rocky season debut for reliever Josan Méndez in the frame.
The Pensacola offense managed only five hits, all singles, against the Montgomery pitching staff. Ben Peoples (W, 1-0) pitched 5.0 scoreless innings in his Double-A debut.
Paul McIntosh was a bright spot for the Blue Wahoos, going 2-for-4 to increase his batting average to .462 through the season’s first four games.
Northview Chiefs Eclipse The Pine Forest Eagles (With Photo Gallery)
April 9, 2024
The Northview Chiefs eclipsed the Pine Forest Eagles 6-3 Monday night in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The Eagles were first on the board to take the lead in the first.
The Chiefs pulled ahead to a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the second on a Colby Pugh triple and scores on Jackson Bridge’s contact on a fielder’s choice, a ground out by Brady Smith and a sacrifice fly from Robbie Bodiford.
Grayden Sheffield opened on the mound for Northview, giving up no hits and two runs over four innings while striking out eight and walking four. Jackson Bridges surrendered four hits and four runs in four innings of relief, striking out three and walking one.
Jase Portwood and Wyatt Scruggs had two hits each for the Chiefs.
Up next, Northview will travel over to T.R. Miller on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ice Flyers To Host Round One SPHL Playoff Game Wednesday
April 9, 2024
The Pensacola Ice Flyers will host round one game one of the SPHL Playoffs.
The game, which is slated against the Peoria Rivermen, will take place on Wednesday, at 7:05 p.m. at the Pensacola Bay Center.
In what promises to be an electrifying matchup, the Ice Flyers are calling on fans to create a sea of white in the stands for a “white out” game.
Tickets are available for purchase online on Ticketmaster or in-person at the Pensacola Bay Center Box Office.
Wahoos Beat M-Braves To Sweep Season-Opening Series
April 8, 2024
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos hammered Mississippi Braves pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep on Sunday afternoon, coasting to a 9-1 victory to improve to 3-0 on the young season.
With a season-opening weekend sweep, the Blue Wahoos are one win shy of tying a record set in 2021 for their best start in team history.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead early with three runs in the first, highlighted by a two-run single from Sean Roby that would have otherwise been a three-run homer if not for a cross-up on the basepaths.
Jacob Berry and Roby added RBI singles in the second inning to extend the lead to 5-0, and Diego Infante launched an opposite-field solo homer in the third. Harrison Spohn’s first Double-A hit added another run to the total, bouncing the Braves’ #2 pitching prospect with 11 hits allowed and a 7-0 lead.
That would be more than enough for Pensacola starter Paul Campbell, who pitched 5.1 innings of one-run ball in his first start in nearly two years. The righty fanned five in his comeback performance from 2022 elbow surgery, and was backed up with scoreless relief from Jeff Lindgren, Zach McCambley and Austin Roberts.
A sellout crowd of 5,038 – the third sellout in as many games – enjoyed a surprise flyover from the Blue Angels and support aircraft Fat Albert in the sixth inning as the ace flyers made their Sunday afternoon tour over downtown Pensacola.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos hit the road Tuesday for a six-game series in Montgomery against the Biscuits.
Western Gate Soccer Showdown Brings SEC Teams to North Escambia Area (With Gallery)
April 7, 2024
Escambia County residents had a chance to experience action Saturday between three top ranked Southeastern Conference schools as they competed in the Western Gate Soccer Showdown at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park off 10 Mile Road.
The inaugural Western Gate Collegiate Soccer Showdown featured matchups between the Florida Gators, Mississippi State Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers with free admission.
Young soccer players and fans were thrilled to meet the soccer players during fan autograph sessions. The SEC players autographed team photos, jerseys, soccer balls and shoes as they interacted with fans.
For more photos, including the Mississippi State vs. LSU game, click here.
The 2024 SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament will return to Escambia County November 3-10. The top 12 SEC women’s soccer teams will compete for their championship at the Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Get Wild Walkoff To Delight Sellout Crowd With Second Win
April 7, 2024
by Bill Violan, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Two games into the season, the Blue Wahoos already have a walkoff win.
On a Fireworks Saturday, no less, complete with a bizarre finish.
Pinch-runner Dalvy Rosario, who joined the team earlier in the day, scored on a wild pitch, after advancing on a wild pitch to give the Blue Wahoos a 7-6 victory against the Mississippi Braves, as another sellout crowd celebrated at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
“It’s kind of something I’ve gotten used to,” said Blue Wahoos starting pitcher M.D. Johnson, who worked five solid innings in his outing. “It’s like once we do get to the bottom of the ninth, whether we’re down one, or we are tied, it’s like ‘Who is going to do it? Someone is going to do it.”
In this case, the Blue Wahoos built a 6-3 lead after five innings. But the M-Braves got a pair of runs in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, leadoff batter Cade Brunnel drew a walk from Blue Wahoos reliever Matt Pushard. A pinch-runner, Geraldo Quintero was inserted.
Quintero used his speed to steal second, then advanced to third on a fly ball to center. With two outs, two strikes, Yolbert Sanchez tied the game on a ground ball single through the hole between first and second. Pushard got the final out to head into the bottom of the ninth.
Paul McIntosh led off with a walk. Rosario was inserted as a pinch-runner. Jacob Berry swung and missed a third strike from reliever Jorge Juan, but the ball eluded catcher Tyler Tolve, allowing both runners to advance.
Another wild pitch sent Rosario to third and he scored on a wild pitch.
The joyous crowd of 5,038 then watched the season’s first fireworks display.
After playing games to quiet settings on back fields in the Miami Marlins spring training complex, Johnson said the setting the first two games of 2024 has been a welcome change.
“In spring training, everyone is just ready to get to the season,” he said. “You just want to get out of Jupiter. And here, with as much as fans as we have, you don’t have to build up to that energy level. It’s just there.
“The crowds here are amazing. I have been through four levels (of minor leagues) if you count short season in the Marlins system. But the crowds here in Pensacola are absolutely amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”
Earlier in the game, it was a another big night for left fielder Tanner Allen. The Mobile native and former Mississippi State star drove in a run in the first inning, went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored a run.
Shortstop Javier Sanoja had a big hit with a two-run double in the fifth inning.
GAME NOTABLES
The Tiger Point Sports Association celebrated its youth baseball organization with a parade of 200-plus kids on the field during pregame ceremonies.
ON DECK
WHAT: Blue Wahoos Season-Opening Weekend
WHO: Mississippi Braves vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Cancer Sucks: Tate’s Strike Out Cancer Games Surpass $200,000 For The Fight Against Cancer
April 6, 2024
The first year, they raised $2,550 and didn’t know if they would ever beat that mark.
Friday night, the Tate Aggies surpassed the $200,000 mark over the years at the 14th annual Tate Aggie Softball Strike Out Cancer game. It all benefits the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.
“You guys are amazing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” Tate head coach Melinda Wyatt told a large crowd before the game.
Last year, the game raised $27,755 for the fight against cancer. Friday night’s total had passed $24,000 as donations continued.
“I thought of three things that could probably sum it all up. We hate cancer. Cancer sucks. We need your money.”
For a Strike Out Cancer photo gallery, click here.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
“That you to the Tate community,” Escambia Schools Superintendent Keith Leonard said before throwing the ceremonial first pitch. “I want you to know that we hate cancer, cancer sucks, but we love you.”
Survivors and current cancer patients and their families lined up on the field to tell their stories.
“My husband is struggling right now with cholangiocarcinoma bile duct cancer; please say a prayer for my husband,” the first speaker said tearfully.
“I’m Shannon Thompson And I just went through breast cancer and in remission and blessed to be here today.”
“I’m Evan Morgan and I’ve had breast cancer, two, lung, cancers and you’ll be fine, you’ll be fine,” the 1968 Escambia High School graduate reassured the others.
“My name is Natalee Hoffman,” the nine-year-old said as she stood tall in the pitcher’s circle holding a single carnation. “I have kidney cancer. Thank you all very much.”
During the game, the Lady Jaguars defeated the Lady Aggies 7-0.
For a game action photo gallery, click here.
Sydney Scapin earned the win for the Jags, giving up no hits and no runs in seven innings, striking out 17 and walking three. For Tate, Peyton Womack took the loss, surrendering five runs and six hits, striking out four and walking two over four innings. J. Smith closed in the circle for Tate, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out four and walking one.
Brea Holley and Abagayle Cogdill had three hits each for West Florida. Scapin, Holey, Cogdill and Macey Vegas each drove in runs.
Northview Chiefs Wallop Escambia Gators 16-1 In Four Friday Innings
April 6, 2024
The Northview Lady Chiefs walloped the Escambia Lady Gators 16-1 in a run-ruled shortened four innings Friday evening in Bratt.
The Chiefs scored 13 runs in in the third inning to secure the big win. Riley Brooks tripped to score three of those runs, two were on an Avery Stucky double, and three were scored on walks.
The Gator led at the end of one, and the Chiefs tied it up in the second when Mikayla McAnally scored.
Stucky started in the circle, giving up just one hit and one run in two innings, walking two and striking out three. Daviona Randolph threw two innings of scoreless ball in relief for the Chiefs, surrendering two hits while striking out three and walking two.
Stuckey and Chloe Ragsdale had two hits each for Northview. Stuckey and Brooks drove in three runs each for NHS.
The sure-handed Chiefs had no errors.
Up next, Northview will be at Choctaw at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photo.