Milbrandt Masterful In 4-0 Wahoos Win
September 10, 2025
The Blue Wahoos didn’t have a big night at the plate.
But on this night, they didn’t need one.
Taking advantage of errant pitching, the Blue Wahoos scored all four runs without a run-scoring hit and cruised their way to a 4-0 victory against the Columbus Clingstones to begin their final series of the season Tuesday at Blue Wahoos Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos got a run in the second inning off a wild pitch, then loaded the bases in the fourth inning and scored three runs with on a bases-loaded walk and pair of wild pitches from Columbus starter Drue Hackenberg.
That was the ballgame.
Blue Wahoos starter Karson Milbrandt, making his second start since joining the team from the High-A level Beloit Sky Carp, was outstanding. He worked six innings, gave up just three hits, no walks and recorded six strikeouts to earn his first Double-A win.
The win pushed the Blue Wahoos (66-67 overall, 32-32 second half) closer to a winning second half and season record, which would be the goal now that the team has been eliminated from post-season.
Milbrandt, 21, set a tone, throwing 60 strikes on 89 pitches and showing the depth and quality of pitching within the Miami Marlins minor league system. He’s rated as Miami’s No. 17 prospect overall in the latest MLB Pipeline rankings.
It became another rough outing for Hackenberg (2-7, 7.01 ERA), who entered the year ranked No. 12 in the Atlanta Braves system. He was the Braves’ second-round pick in 2023 out of Virginia Tech.
In the second inning, the Blue Wahoos Payton Green drew a one-out walk. He then stole second and scored when Hackenberg threw a wild pitch that caromed toward the Blue Wahoos dugout, allowing Green to score.
There was one out in the fourth inning when Hackenberg walked Colby Shade with the bases loaded, scoring Tony Bullard who had singled. With two out, Hackenberg uncorked two more wild pitches that scored Green and Gage Miller for the 4-0 lead and ended Hackenberg’s outing.
Three relievers, newcomers Chase Centala and Jack Sellinger along with Jesse Bergin, all delivered shutout innings to follow Milbrandt and end the game in 2 hours, 19 minutes.
GAME NOTABLES
— Earlier Tuesday, six Blue Wahoos players, Dub Gleed, Gage Miller, Emaarion Boyd, Colby Martin, Jack Sellinger and Connor Caskenette, joined in the morning with group sales executives Jessica Voigt, Jada Washington and Hannah Moret in traveling to the Feeding the Gulf Coast warehouse location in East Milton.
The group spent 90 minutes packing food gift boxes for elderly residents in the area. All of this prior to Tuesday night’s game. This has been a recent annual project for the Blue Wahoos to aid volunteer efforts organized by Feeding the Gulf Coast.
— Before the game, the Blue Wahoos announced several roster moves. Top relievers Josh Ekness and Nigel Belgrave were elevated to Triple-A Jacksonville. Righthanded pitcher Xavier Meachem was added from the Beloit Sky Carp.
— Righthanded pitcher Will Schomberg was named the Southern League pitcher of the week, following his memorable performance last Friday in Biloxi. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning, finishing with a career-high seven innings pitched, allowing three hits in the seventh, but compiling 10 strikeouts in the game to match a career best.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Blue Wahoos 2025 Final Series
WHO: Columbus Clingstones vs. Blue Wahoos
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday Through Sunday. Gametimes are at 6:05 p.m. through Saturday; a special 1:05 p.m. start for Sunday’s final game of the season.
Florida Hunting, Fishing, Camping Sales Tax Holiday Underway
September 9, 2025
Florida’s news sales tax holiday on guns, ammunition and camping supplies is underway until December 31.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also on Tuesday announced several sportsman initiatives designed to save Floridians money during the tax holiday.
- Ammunition
- Bows and Crossbows, as well as accessories
- Firearms including pistols, rifles, and shotguns
- Firearm accessories such as holsters, grips, sights, stocks, and cleaning kits
- Camping lanterns and flashlights for $30 or less
- Camping stoves, hammocks, chairs, and sleeping bags for $50 or less
- Tents for $200 or less
- Bait and tackle up to $5 if sold individually or $10 if packaged together
- Tackle bags and boxes up to $30
- Rods and Reels up to $75 if sold individually or up to $150 if sold in a set
Tate Aggies Boys Golf Outpaces 21 Teams to Win Byron Nathan Memorial Tourney
September 9, 2025
The Tate High Aggies boys golf team won the Byron Nathan Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday at Stonebrook Golf Club. The Aggies finished first out of 21 teams and 104 individual golfers with an impressive team score of 291.
It was a strong day for individual performances as well. Baylor Touchstone earned low medalist honors with a standout round of 67, finishing five under par. Jacob Drysdale tied for fifth with a solid 72, while Jaxson Thomason posted a 75 and Parker Hassell finished with a 77.
The Aggies boys golf team is coached by Christian Griffitts.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Sweep The Escambia Gators
September 9, 2025
Tate 3, Escambia 0
The Tate Aggies’ varsity volleyball team secured a dominant victory over the Escambia Gators on Monday, sweeping the match in straight sets.
The Aggies controlled the game from the start, showcasing strong offensive and defensive play. They won the first set with a commanding score of 25-5. While the Gators put up more of a fight in the subsequent sets, Tate maintained their momentum, winning the second set 25-15 and closing out the match with a 25-6 victory in the third.
With the win, the Lady Aggies are 7-1 overall, 2-0 in the 6A District 1.
Up next, Tate will travel to Choctawhatchee on Tuesday and Pace (6-6, 2-1) on Thursday.
Tate 2, Escambia 0 (JV)
The Tate Aggies junior varsity volleyball team defeated the Escambia Gators in a quick two-set match on Monday.
The Aggies dominated from the start, taking the first set with a decisive 25-11 win, and continued their strong performance in the second set, closing out the game with a 25-9 victory.
Bonus Photos: Tate Fans, Band And Cheerleaders
September 8, 2025
The Tate Aggies defeated the Pensacola High Tigers 41-0 last week.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders, fans and band, click here.
For a game story and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Bonus Photos: Northview Fans, Band And Cheerleaders
September 8, 2025
The Northview Chiefs fel 48-43 to Freeport last Friday night.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders, fans and band, click here.
For a game story and action photos, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Close Out Road Slate With 4-1 Defeat
September 8, 2025
written by Carter Bainbridge
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (65-67) ended their last road trip of the 2025 season with a 4-1 defeat to the Biloxi Shuckers (70-62) on Sunday.
In a low-scoring affair, Biloxi starter Tyson Hardin and Pensacola righthander Jacob Miller (L, 3-7) matched zeroes through the first three innings of play. The Wahoos struck the run column first in the top of the fourth inning when first baseman Tony Bullard’s ground ball was mishandled by Shucker second baseman Eduardo Garcia with the bases loaded. With a 1-0 lead, the bases still loaded, and nobody out, Pensacola failed to score again against Biloxi reliever Jesus Broca (W, 1-1), who entered the game to record three unproductive outs and end the threat.
The Shuckers grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. After two hits and a walk loaded the bases against Jacob Miller with two outs, Biloxi first baseman Blake Burke promptly hit a two-out grand slam to give the Shuckers a 4-1 lead.
Neither team scored again throughout the remainder of the contest. Former Wahoo righthander Austin Roberts (S, 2) closed out the ninth inning to finalize a 4-1 Pensacola defeat.
The Blue Wahoos return home on Tuesday, September 9 when they begin their final series of the 2025 season versus the Columbus Clingstones.
Tate High School Aggies Win Freshman Invitational Tournament
September 7, 2025
The Tate High School Aggies won the Freshman Invitational Tournament on Saturday at Tate.
The Aggies won all six games to claim the tournament title.
Other participating schools were Crestview, Navarre, Milton, Pace, and West Florida high schools.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sharp Scores Three Touchdowns To Lead UWF Over Kentucky Wesleyan
September 7, 2025
Running back Jay Sharp did a little bit of everything on Saturday, scoring three touchdowns to help the Argos take down Kentucky Wesleyan on the road, 28-7.
Sharp finished with 16 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown along with three receptions for 97 yards and two scores. He was the leading rusher and receiver on the day for UWF.
FIRST HALF
Much like the home opener, the Argos wasted no time in getting on the board. On the first offensive play of the game Marcus Stokes’ screen pass to Sharp went 75 yards for a touchdown. Just 15 seconds into the game UWF took a 7-0 lead.
On the next possession the UWF defense forced a fumble and Jamal Ellis recovered it at the Kentucky Wesleyan 21-yard line. The defensive stop set up a 20-yard touchdown catch for Sharp to notch his second score of the day.
The West Florida defense held the Panthers to only 54 yards of offense in the first half.
Penalty calls became the crutch for the Argos with two first half scores being nullified. After Wesleyan punted on its second possession, Tony Newsome returned the punt 90 yards for a touchdown, but it was called back for holding.
With 9:30 remaining in first quarter an interception returned for a score by Jamari Dickens was taken off the board for a pass interference call.
SECOND HALF
The Argos used a 12-play – 85-yard drive that took up nearly seven minutes on their first offensive possession of the second half resulting in a touchdown. Running back Preston Godfrey had a 21-yard run and capped it off with a seven-yard touchdown run to put West Florida up 21-0.
Wesleyan got on the board at the start of the fourth quarter on a deep 41-yard touchdown pass, but it was the only scoring opportunity the Panthers came across.
Sharp found the end zone for the third time in the game with 38 seconds remaining following a two-yard run, putting the Argos up 28-7.
KEY PERFORMANCES
The UWF defensive front did not allow the Kentucky Wesleyan running game to gain positive yards. The Panthers finished with -26 yards rushing on 24 attempts.
Jay Sharp had a career-high three touchdowns and 178 yards of total offense.
Preston Godfrey had his first score as an Argo.
Ja’Kobe Clinton had six total tackles including one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
NEXT UP
West Florida will host Shorter on Sat. Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. as part of Family Weekend presented by Florida Blue at Pen Air Field.
Wahoos Fall 5-3 To Shuckers Despite Strong Hitting
September 7, 2025
written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos lost a back-and-forth game to the Biloxi Shuckers on Saturday night, falling 5-3 as their playoff hopes continued to fade.
The Blue Wahoos scratched out 12 singles, including six with runners in scoring position, but made three outs on the bases and twice were thrown out at the plate trying to score from second base.
Dub Gleed went 3-for-5, opening the scoring with an RBI single in the third inning off Shuckers starter K.C. Hunt. Gleed is now 11-for-20 through the first five games of this week’s series in Biloxi.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios worked a perfect first two innings, extending Pensacola’s scoreless streak to 21.0 innings dating back to Wednesday, but saw an unearned run score in the bottom of the third on a Tony Bullard fielding error to tie the game 1-1.
An RBI single from Colby Shade in the fourth put Pensacola ahead 2-1, but the Shuckers answered back once more in the bottom of the inning on a Zavier Warren sacrifice fly and Darrien Miller RBI single for a 3-2 Biloxi edge.
Bullard tied the game 3-3 in the fifth with a two-out RBI single, but Gleed was thrown out at the plate on a Payton Green single and Gage Miller was robbed of a run-scoring hit on a diving catch by Biloxi right fielder Garrett Spain to keep the game tied.
The Shuckers scratched across two runs in the sixth against Blue Wahoos reliever Evan Fitterer (L, 6-6), taking a 4-3 lead on a Miller hit-by-pitch and adding on with an Eduardo Garcia RBI single.
Abdiel Mendoza (W, 5-3) worked 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, benefitting from another outfield assist throwing out Gleed at the plate on a Green single in the seventh, and Travis MacGregor (S, 3) finished off the game with a perfect ninth inning for a 5-3 final.
With the loss and a Montgomery win, the Blue Wahoos trail the Biscuits by 6.0 games with 7 to play in the regular season. Any Pensacola loss or Montgomery win would eliminate the Blue Wahoos from playoff contention.
The Blue Wahoos play their final road game of the season against the Shuckers on Sunday.