After Historic Season, Northview Takes State Runner-Up Spot
May 21, 2025
The Northview Chiefs are state runner-ups after falling 11-1 to Trenton in the FHSAA Rural Class softball state championship game this afternoon near Orlando.
Northview finished their historic season at 22-7, claiming both the district and regional championships with wins over the Jay Royals. This was the first time in the history of the school that Northview made the state final four.
Trenton started the game with a 3-0 lead in the first inning before scoring four in the third and four in the fifth.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally opened in the circle, allowing eight hits and seven runs (three earned) in four innings, striking out two and walking one.
Jamison Gilman led the team with a sacrifice bunt in the third inning to score Riley Brooks, and Avery Stuckey went 1-2.
Gilman was the only senior on this year’s roster, with the opportunity for almost the entire team to return next year looking for another trip to state.
This was the fourth state softball championship for Trenton since 2019.
Rough Sixth Inning Leads To Wahoos Series-Opening Loss To Birmingham
May 21, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Through five innings and two turns complete into Birmingham’s lineup, the Blue Wahoos’ Jacob Miller was spinning superlatives.
The third trip became rocky and led to the Barons’ eventual 6-2 victory Tuesday night that began a six-game series against two co-division leaders at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
After allowing just two hits and facing only two batters above the minimum, Miller yielded three consecutive hits to start the sixth inning, then had an errant throw and bad hop change the game.
The Barons produced three runs for a 4-2 lead, then tacked on solo runs in the seventh and eighth to pull away. Birmingham used five pitchers to combine for nine strikeouts and just one earned run.
In six prior starts, Miller had not yielded more than three runs until Tuesday.
He was provided a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Kemp Alderman lined a single with runners on second and third, and a bobbled fielding play by the Barons’ right fielder Wilfred Veras allowed a second run to score.
The Barons got a run back when third baseman Jason Matthews, who was recently moved down from the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate, had a run-scoring double in the third inning. It was part of his big night going 3-for-3, reaching base all four times, and scoring two runs.
In the eventful sixth inning, he led off with a double. That was followed by a pair of singles to tie the game. Veras then hit a grounder that could have been a double play, but an errant throw to first from Johnny Olmstead allowed a run to score. Jacob Gonzalez later produced a sacrifice fly to score the fourth run.
Alderman went 2-for-4 as the Blue Wahoos’ lone multiple-hit batter Tuesday. The Blue Wahoos had two runners on in the ninth inning from a pair of walks with one out, but their opportunity ended there.
These two teams split a series a couple weeks ago in Birmingham.
GAME NOTABLES
— Guitar/vocalist Al Cunningham made his first appearance this season performing the National Anthem.
— Some roster moves occurred before Tuesday’s game. Left-handed pitcher Justin King was activated from the injured list. He went on the IL on April 30. Prior to the game, he made four appearances with an 0-1 record and 3.86 ERA. Meanwhile, reliever Zach McCambley was elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. McCambley was the longest-tenured Blue Wahoos player, first joining the team in 2021. He ranks second all-time in club history in strikeouts with 251. In 11 appearances this season, McCambley was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA.
— The Blue Wahoos have enjoyed success against Birmingham. They entered Tuesday with a 93-68 all-time record. This year, the Blue Wahoos are playing Birmingham twice at home for the first time. The Barons will return on Aug. 12-17.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
GAMETIMES: The games on Wednesday through Saturday night will all start at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s game will be a 4:05 p.m. start – the first late afternoon start time of season.
Northview Dominates Branford 14-6 To Head To State Championship
May 20, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs are headed to the state championship.
Northview dominated Branford 14-6 Tuesday afternoon near Orlando.
The Branford Buccaneers jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the first, but the Lady Chiefs answered with five in the bottom of the second and never looked back.
Northview’s five runs in the bottom of the second inning came on three hits — Addysen Bolen walked to score one run, Aubrey Hadley had a two-run single, and the Chiefs scored two runs on an error.
Northview took the lead in the bottom of the third when Daviona Randolph homered to left field, Riley Brooks singled down the left field line, and Kylee Langham drew a walk. Northview added six runs on five hits in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Sophomore Mikayla McAnally earned the win, allowing 11 hits and six runs in six innings, striking out six and walking one. Senior Jamison Gilman stepped into the circle for the final inning, giving up no hits while striking out two and walking none.
Mikayla McAnally and Avery Stuckey each had three hits for the Lady Chiefs. Shortstop Riley Brooks had three RBIs.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Northview will face Trenton at 1:30 EDT (12:30 locally in North Escambia) for the Rural FHSAA Softball State Championship.
We will have a complete preview on Wednesday morning, plus a link (paid, $13.99) to watch the live video from the NFHS Network. We will also be providing live score updates on Wednesday on our Facebook page.
Photos: Northview Softball Is Ready For State Final Four
May 19, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs will open play in the Rural FHSAA Softball Final Four near Orlando.
No. 2 Northview (21-6) will take on No. 3 Branford (21-6). The winner will head to the state championship game at 1:30 p.m. EDT on Wednesday against either Liberty County or Trenton.
First pitch Tuesday is at noon EDT at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, just outside Orlando. Fans can watch the game live on the NFHS Network. Fans can watch live video on the NFHS Network for a $13.99 monthly pass (which can be canceled at any time). NorthEscambia.com will have periodic updates on our Facebook page during the game; be sure to like our page for updates.
For a photo gallery from the last practice before state for the Northview Lady Chiefs, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Depart For State Softball Final Four
May 19, 2025
The Northview Lady Chiefs department the school in Bratt early on a foggy Sunday morning, headed to the Rural FHSAA Softball final four beginning at noon EDT Tuesday at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, just outside Orlando.
With a police escort from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Lady Chiefs headed to Whataburger for breakfast, where the restaurant’s windows were covered with player’s name and jersey numbers. Numerous fans lined the route, with signs of support and cheers for the first-ever Northview softball team to got to state.
Northview will play Branford at noon EDT on Tuesday.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Praytor Breaks Through, Pitching Shows Out In Pensacola’s Series-Clinching Win
May 19, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Blue Wahoos catcher Sam Praytor extended his arms outward, then welcomed two teammates dumping an ice bucket of energy drink over his head.
“I think if it were (just) water, it would be better,” said Praytor, smiling during the on-field, post-game interview.
On the hottest afternoon game this season, any momentary discomfort could be enjoyed. Especially after Praytor’s day, when he blasted a home run, legged out a triple, drove in two runs and adeptly handled five pitchers who combined to help deliver Pensacola’s 5-1 victory against the Rocket City Trash Pandas to win the six-game series at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
He came into the game going 0-for-9, his longest hitless streak. But continued effort in pregame workouts and help from team hitting coach Jason Krizan led to a big day.
“Me and Kriz… I’ve been working this week and making some adjustments and (Sunday) I felt like it really clicked and it paid off,” said Praytor, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star catcher, who set slugging marks during his three seasons, then became the Miami Marlins’ sixth-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
A crowd of 3,737 endured the hot weather to see the Blue Wahoos win their first Sunday finale game since April 20. This one enabled them to take the series 4-2 against the Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos have now won five series this season and this one coming after dropping five of six games last week at Biloxi to lose grip of first place in the Southern League South Division. They entered the day trailing the Shuckers by one game.
After a 9-0 loss Wednesday to Rocket City, the Blue Wahoos regathered and returned to what has been the hallmark of this team with pitching, defense, some timely hits and series wins.
They’ll have an immediate chance to continue home field success, where they are 15-6 at Blue Wahoos Stadium – when facing the Birmingham Barons in a series that begins Tuesday.
“We’re excited,” Praytor said, acknowledging the fans nearby. “We’re glad to be back at home, playing in front of you guys (pointing to crowd), so please keep showing up and get ready for another good week.”
The game began for the Blue Wahoos in a good way. In the first inning, Nathan Martorella, Josh Zamora and Johnny Olmstead had consecutive singles with two outs to load the bases. With one swing, Mark Coley II cleared the bags, driving a ball into the left-center gap for a 3-run double.
After Blue Wahoos starter Orlando Ortiz-Mayr allowed a second inning run, the Trash Pandas didn’t put up another threat the rest of the game.
In a designed bullpen game, Ortiz-Mayr worked three innings, followed by Luis Palacios, who earned his first win by going the next three innings. He struck out four and allowed just two hits.
Three other relievers – Jesse Bergin, Nigel Belgrave and closer Dale Stanavich – allowed just one hit apiece and combined for six strikeouts against just one walk.
“Our pitching staff is unreal,” Praytor said. “Every single one of those guys has the ability to pitch in the big leagues, so honestly It’s just a lot of fun to be catching them.”
Praytor extended the Blue Wahoos lead in the fifth inning when he led off with a home run, his second this season. He provided more insurance in the seventh when following Dalvy Rosario’s leadoff single with his triple in the outfield gap.
In the final four innings, Blue Wahoos pitchers faced just batters above the minimum and Stanovich closed out the game with a sweeper pitch and back-to-back strikeouts.
GAME NOTABLES
- The Blue Wahoos now have a 4-3 record in series finales. They had lost three consecutive Sunday games prior to the breakthrough this time.
- The win gives the Blue Wahoos a 37-13 all time record against Rocket City. The Trash Pandas’ first season in the Huntsville, Alabama area was 2021. This includes a 22-8 record at home.
- Pregame activities Sunday included a parade of school children who completed the Kazoo’s Reading Program organized by the Blue Wahoos. There were 203 free tickets distributed to kids who read four required books during the school year. The final parade of school children will be next Sunday.
- The Hellen Caro Elementary School Choir from Pensacola performed the National Anthem, as well as a rendition of God Bless America in the seventh inning.
WHAT’S NEXT?
WHO: Birmingham Barons vs. Blue Wahoos
WHEN: Tuesday through May 24.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium.
Fulton Dazzles, Lifts Wahoos to Win over Trash Pandas
May 18, 2025
Dax Fulton has overcome a lot in his pro career, including battling back from two left elbow surgeries on his throwing arm, plus all the recovery that involves. A night like this one made his efforts become more pronounced.
Fulton had his strongest outing this season, working five innings and allowing just one hit, as he helped lead the Blue Wahoos to a 3-1 victory against the Rocket City Trash Pandas before the customary Saturday sellout crowd (5,038) on Fireworks Night at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Fulton’s performance, highlighted by five strikeouts, set a tone where both teams’ pitching mostly ruled the game.
“It felt really good,” said Fulton in the post-game, on-field interview. “I just wanted to go out there and do my job and put my team in line for the win. I thought we played well as a team.”
The win gave the Blue Wahoos (22-16) a chance to win the series on Sunday as the first of back-to-back home weeks wraps up. Pensacola has now won all four Saturday Fireworks Nights this season.
Besides Fulton’s performance on the mound, Blue Wahoos fans witnessed one of the largest on-field gatherings of youth baseball players standing with Blue Wahoos starters for the National Anthem. There were nine ceremonial first pitches, including a couple on their honeymoon at the ballpark.
After six innings were complete, the May celebration of a “Home Run For Life”, honored a Navarre man who recovered from a life-threatening stroke in October. With the crowd cheering and team mascot Kazoo encouraging, Michael Patching jogged around the bases with both teams lined up on each baseline.
The game itself began well for the Blue Wahoos. In the second inning, Johnny Olmstead and Shane Sasaki led off the singles. Both scored. Olmstead scored on a throwing error to the plate by Rocket City third baseman Cole Fontenelle. Sasaski scored on Jared Serna’s sacrifice fly. Those two runs proved enough for Fulton to earn his second win. He struck out five of the first eight batters he faced. The only blemish was a pair of back-to-back walks with two outs in the second that he quelled with a strikeout. He overcame consecutive walks in the fourth inning. He didn’t allow a hit until a two-out single in the fifth.
The Trash Pandas got their lone run off Fulton in the third inning, without a hit. Caleb Ketchup reached on an infield throwing error, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout.
The Blue Wahoos added a third run in their third inning when Olmstead launched a two-out homer over the left field fence. He went 3-for-4 in the game to lead the Blue Wahoos lineup.
Behind Olmstead, relievers Zach McCambley and closer Josh Ekness limited Rocket City to three hits in the final four innings, just one walk and struck out three to seal the game.
WANT TO GO?
WHO: Rocket City Trash Pandas vs. Blue Wahoos.
WHEN: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Photos: Tate Hosts Escambia County Spring Football Jamboree
May 17, 2025
The Tate Aggies hosted the Escambia County Spring Jamboree Friday evening on Carl Madison Field. The one-quarter scrimmages featured Tate, Pensacola High, Escambia, Pensacola Catholic, and Pine Forest
In the first quarter, Tate and PHS played to a 7-7 tied. The Aggies scored on Moses Delarosa pass to Elijah West.
For a photo gallery from Tate and PHS, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Laskey Delivers Career-Long Outing, But Rocket City Evens Series with Wahoos
May 17, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
Lefthander Adam Laskey completed six innings Friday night for the first time in his five-year pro career. If only he could take back one of the 94 pitches he threw. Laskey hung a curveball with the bases loaded in the fifth inning that Rocket City’s Denzer Guzman drove into the gap for a 3-run double, and it proved decisive in the Trash Pandas’ 4-2 victory against Pensacola before a capacity crowd (5,038) at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
This became another game where the Blue Wahoos could lament multiple missed chances at the plate. They were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, including four with less than two out.
But there were several memorable moments for the large crowd.
The pregame activities were headlined by two amazing, centenarian age and World War II veteran brothers, Earl Drinkwater, 101, and younger brother Arthur, who turned 99 in February. They threw out ceremonial first pitches as the crowd greeted them with loud applause.
In addition to this, the Blue Wahoos took on a one-time identity as the “Malmo Oat Milkers,” a tie-in to an oat milk company based in Malmo, Sweden and part of a promotion initiative through all levels of Minor League Baseball. The black-white jerseys worn by the Blue Wahoos players Friday were part of the sponsorship agreement.
It was a full night for the Blue Wahoos (21-16), aside from the game outcome.
Things started well on the field. Newcomer Fenwick Trimble, one of the stars of Thursday night’s win against Rocket City, led off with a single, stolen second, and later scored on Kemp Alderman’s sacrifice fly.
The Trash Pandas (12-23) tied the game in the second with a double, a wild pitch from Laskey to move the runner to third, and a sacrifice fly by catcher Jaxx Groshans.
The score stayed that way until the fifth when Rocket City’s first two batters singled, then Laskey walked Sam Brown with two out to load the bases. A 2-2 curve ball from him was blasted into the right center gap to empty the bases.
Trimble homered to start the bottom of the fifth, then Jared Serna tripled. But reliever Jose Quijada struck out Jake Thompson and Alderman, and Brady Choban, the third of six pitchers Rocket City used in this game, got Nathan Martorella to ground out in a defining moment of the game.
The Blue Wahoos were retired in order in the eighth and ninth. It wound up a win for former Blue Wahoos pitcher Sean Poppen, who made his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2019 after starting the season in Pensacola. He’s now trying for a comeback to the big leagues.
The series is now evened at 2-2 heading into Saturday’s fifth game of the series with the Blue Wahoos’ Dax Fulton set to be the game starter.
Newcomer Trimble Ignites Rally In Wahoos’ Comeback Win
May 16, 2025
written by Bill Vilona
The Blue Wahoos opted to take batting practice Thursday under the stadium at their indoor facility, then curtailed pregame workouts 30 minutes early. All of a sudden, their offense turned on brighter than Christmas tree lights.
A day after enduring a 9-0 defeat, Pensacola matched that run total with eight different players reaching base multiple times to win a 9-6 slugfest against the Rocket City Trash Pandas at Blue Wahoos Stadium. Taking on their alternate identity as the Pensacola Mullets on Mullets Thursday, the team broke an extended slump at the plate to score the second-most runs this season.
It was also the first time the Blue Wahoos (21-15) won a game this season when allowing more than five runs. In this case, they also tied the game twice in the first four innings, then exploded for a five-run sixth inning to pull away.
Centerfielder Fenwick Trimble, who joined the team Tuesday in a promotion from the Beloit Sky Carp, the Miami Marlins’ High-A affiliate, had one of the biggest hits, which was also his first hit at the Double-A level. His run-scoring double in the sixth ignited the big rally and he later came around to score on a single.
“Lot of fun,” he said afterward, before getting doused by teammates by an ice bucket in the post-game interview. “These guys are really welcoming and really good to me so far, so it’s a lot of fun. “I’m just trying to continue what I’ve been doing and see pitches and handle the strike zone and things worked out.”
The team bounced back in a big way from a deflating loss Wednesday on Education Day with school children filling the ballpark. The Blue Wahoos produced 12 hits with Kemp Alderman the most notable. He went 3-for-5 with an RBI in a confidence-building day at the plate.
Johnny Olmstead had two innings, including a second-inning solo home run. Shane Sasaki went 2-for-3 and scored two runs.
In swinging the bats unlike they have done in more than a week, the Blue Wahoos bolstered their pitching staff.
Evan Fitterer struggled in his sixth start, a second rough outing in a row. He worked four innings, allowed four runs, walked five and struck out four. He was relieved by Alex Williams, who joined the team May 11 from Beloit. Williams worked three innings to earn his first Double-A win with the Blue Wahoos, after going three innings, allowing two runs, but no walks.
Dale Stanavich earned his sixth save with two stellar innings to seal the game.
The Blue Wahoos had all of this offense, despite having two runners picked off and two others thrown out at the plate in the first four innings. But in the fourth inning, the team produced a rally with two out. Five consecutive batters reached base with hits or walks. Sasaki had a run-scoring single, Trimble drew a bases-loaded walk and Jared Serna followed with an RBI hit.
In the sixth inning, trailing 6-4, the Blue Wahoos batted around with eight consecutive batters reaching after one out.
The win game the Blue Wahoos a 2-1 series lead against the Trash Pandas (11-23) heading to the three weekend games.