Early Lead Slips Aways As Wahoos Fall To Trash Pandas
May 6, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos were well-positioned to win their sixth game in a row on Tuesday night, but saw an early 6-0 lead vanish in a 9-6 loss to the Rocket City Trash Pandas.
The Blue Wahoos jumped ahead against Rocket City starter Joel Hurtado, turning a leadoff error in the second inning into a 1-0 lead on a Dylan Jasso RBI single. They added another in the third inning on a Ryan Ignoffo RBI single, and capitalized on a two-out error in the fourth to score four unearned runs thanks to a three-run double from Dillon Lewis.
Staked to a 6-0 lead, Blue Wahoos pitcher Jacob Miller saw his dominant start come to a screeching halt in the fifth. A leadoff error from third baseman Ian Lewis Jr. opened the door for a three-run frame, as Nick Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly, Harold Coll hit an RBI double, and Wade Meckler hit an RBI single. Tucker Flint made a bid for a game-tying hit, but Blue Wahoos left fielder Brendan Jones made a diving catch to leave the bases loaded and preserve a 6-3 edge.
Rocket City got a run back in the sixth on a Matthew Lugo triple and Rodriguez groundout, and took the lead in the seventh. After reliever Kade Bragg (L, 1-1) hit Lugo to load the bases with two outs, Rodriguez lashed a three-run triple to right-center field off Nigel Belgrave for a 7-6 lead. Rodriguez scored on a passed ball to extend the Rocket City lead to 8-6.
Gustavo Campero tacked on insurance with a solo homer in the ninth that the Blue Wahoos contended was foul down the right field line. The Trash Pandas bullpen, led by 2.1 scoreless innings from Lucas Mahlstedt (W, 1-0) and a lockdown ninth from Kenyon Yovan (S, 3), held the Blue Wahoos to just one hit over the final five innings.
The Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Trash Pandas on Wednesday morning with an Education Day matchup. First pitch from Blue Wahoos Stadium is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.
written by Erik Bremer
Northview’s Season Ends In Regional Semifinals
May 4, 2026
Northview was at bat, down 9-7 in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded with one out. Everybody in the dugout was up and loud. A standing-room only Chiefs family cheered. There wasn’t a cloud in the blue skies over Bratt on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for baseball. A regional championship for the Chiefs seemed like a very real possibility.
Everything was perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
A groundball up the middle and one, two…a double play by the Chipley Tigers earned them a 2-1 series win and a Rural Region 1 semifinal win.
“It hurts.”
That’s how first-year Northview Chiefs head coach Justin Raley reacted to Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Chipley Tigers.
“It hurts because you know how much it means to the seniors, to everybody that’s a part of this program. It hurts. I know what it’s like to win it, and I know how it feels to lose it, and it hurts so bad,” he said. “Especially when you know you had a chance. Oh yeah, so many chances, and we just kind of left it out there.”
Friday rain had forced two games on Saturday in the regional semifinals, with Chipley taking the first game 10-3 in a best-of-three series, and Northview powering back with a big 16-8 win in the nightcap.
Chipley held a 5-2 lead in the top of the third on Sunday, but the Chiefs battled back before Chipley took the lead 9-6 in the top of the seventh.
Bryant Mason went 2-5 to lead the Chiefs in hits on Sunday, while Grayden Sheffield, Dane King, Grayson Burns and Cole Davis each added one hit.
Portwood went four innings on the hill for NHS, allowing five hits, five runs (four earned), striking out three and walking six. Jackson Bridges went for three innings, surrendering four hits and four runs (one earned), striking out five and walking three.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
“Guys, I’m proud of you,” Raley, who last year was an assistant coach at Jay, told the team after the game. He pointed out the team was 19-10, and had beat Jay three times, including once to claim the district championship.
“It was a great year and we did so many great things with this group of guys. They changed some stuff around here, and I’m proud of them,” he said, already looking forward to next season.
“We’ve got a lot of good guys coming back, a lot of guys that are going to return and do good things,” Raley said. “There’s a good chance we can be back in the same spot next year, if we do what we are supposed to do.”
Chipley will now travel to Holmes County for the Rural Region 1 final on May 8-9.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Win Fifth In A Row As Manager Prada Reaches Milestone In Style
May 4, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos won their fifth game in a row on Sunday afternoon, beating the Biloxi Shuckers 9-4 and securing manager Nelson Prada’s 800th career victory.
Cristian Hernández launched his first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Prada’s help. After umpires initially ruled the drive foul down the left field line, Prada successfully lobbied the crew to overturn the call in what proved to be the biggest momentum swing of the afternoon.
For the fifth game in a row, the Shuckers jumped ahead early in the top of the first inning as Damon Keith hit a two-run homer against Pensacola lefty Luis Palacios. It was the third home run of the series for Keith, and second in as many days.
The Blue Wahoos got a run back in the bottom of the first when Ryan Ignoffo grounded out with the bases loaded, but the Shuckers answered in turn in the top of the third when Jesús Made lined a solo home run off the left field foul pole.
Trailing 3-1, the Blue Wahoos chipped away with a Fenwick Trimble RBI single in the third and Gage Miller RBI double in the fourth to tie the game. After Stephen Jones and Mason Vinyard (W, 1-0) each contributed a scoreless inning of relief, Jay Beshears put Pensacola in front 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI double against Shuckers reliever Anthony Flores (L, 2-1). Hernández followed with a liner headed down the left field line into Pensacola Bay, initially ruled foul but overturned for a two-run homer and a 6-3 lead.
Another Biloxi homer, a solo shot from Darrien Miller in the top of the seventh, drew the score to 6-4. The Blue Wahoos added on insurance in their half of the inning, as Brendan Jones tripled, Ignoffo hit a sacrifice fly, Beshears hit a solo home run and Miller hit his second RBI double of the game. Gabe Bierman closed out the 9-4 win with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Blue Wahoos pulled into a tie for second place in the South Division standings, only 1.0 game behind first-place Montgomery.
written by Erik Bremer
Northview Chiefs Split With Chipley Tigers To Force Sunday Regional Decider
May 3, 2026
The Northview Chiefs dropped their first regional semifinal game to the Chipley Tigers 10-3 Saturday afternoon, but the Chiefs doubled down in a long nightcap, powering ahead to a 16-8 win. That tied the best-of-three series at 1-1, setting up a deciding game on Sunday afternoon.
GAME 1: Chipley 10, Northview 3
Saturday’s afternoon in the regional semis was the first game the Northview Chiefs had played in 15 days, since winning the district championship 2-1 over Jay back on April 17. And it showed, according to head coach Justin Raley.
Chipley set the tone in the first inning with a two-run homer to left field, and added a solo home run to left field in the third.
Grayson Burns opened on the mound for the Chiefs, surrendering two hits and three runs in two innings, striking out three and walking four. Gage Harrison threw four and one-third innings in relief for the Chiefs, giving up eight hits and seven runs (six earned), while striking out four and walking five.
At the plate, Grayden Sheffield went 2-4 for NHS. Burns, Luke Chavers, and Bryant Mason each had one run.
GAME 2: Northview 16, Chipley 8
The Chiefs found their rhythm in a nearly four-hour game two, doubling up on Chipley 16-8 on a chilly Saturday night with temperatures dropping into the middle 50s.
Northview took an early 7-0 lead by the top of the third but saw it eroded to an 8-8 tie in the fourth inning.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Bryant Mason went 4-6 with three RBIs at the plate for the Chiefs. Jase Portwood was 3-4 with two RBIs and Grayden Sheffield was 2-4 with one RBI.
Senior Jackson Bridges had his first career home run, a fly ball to center field, while Taylor Curtis and Grayson Burns also had a hit each.
Mason earned the win for the Chiefs, surrendering one hit and one unearned run in three and two-thirds innings, walking seven and striking out seven. Jack Boutwell opened on the hill for NHS, allowing four hits and seven runs (six earned) in two and one-third innings, striking out none and walking three. Portwood threw one inning of no-hit ball in relief, striking out two and walking none.
GAME 3
The final game in the best-of-three series will be 3 p.m. on Sunday. The winner will advance to take on the Holmes County Blue Devils on Friday. Holmes County took two from the Jay Royals on Saturday [Read more...]
Northview Softball Regional Rescheduled For Tuesday
May 3, 2026
Northview’s regional opener has been rescheduled from Thursday to Tuesday, due to a high chance of rain currently in the forecast for Thursday.
Ranked No. 1, Northview (18-5) will host No. 4 Holmes County (8-16) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5. The regional finals are still scheduled for Tuesday, May 12.
The state Rural semifinal is May 19, followed by the state championship on May 20, at Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Holmes County Takes Jay Out Of Regional Hunt
May 3, 2026
The Holmes County Blue Devils defeated the Jay Royals in two close contests on Saturday in the Rural regional semifinals.
Holmes County won 2-1 and 4-2 in the best-of-three series.
The Blue Devils advance to the regional finals on Friday, May 8 against the winner of Sunday’s game three between Northview and Chipley.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Lewis Jr., Blue Wahoos Sweep Doubleheader Over Shuckers
May 3, 2026
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos swept the Biloxi Shuckers in a doubleheader on Saturday night, extending their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 7-4 win in game one and a 6-3 win in game two.
Ian Lewis Jr. was the offensive star, hitting a go-ahead, two-run triple in the opener and giving the Blue Wahoos the lead for good in the nightcap with a three-run homer.
In game one, a makeup after Friday night’s rainout, the Shuckers jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning on a two-run homer from Damon Keith. The Blue Wahoos answered back in the home half of the inning thanks to a Brendan Jones leadoff walk and an RBI groundout from Ryan Ignoffo.
Pensacola starter Brandon White (W, 1-1) allowed a solo homer to Mike Boeve in the fourth, but completed 5.0 innings with a season-high seven strikeouts to keep the Blue Wahoos within striking distance and ultimately earn his first Double-A win.
Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, the Blue Wahoos finally broke through against Shuckers starter Brett Wichrowski (L, 2-2). Ignoffo hit a two-run triple to tie the game, and Lewis Jr. hit another two-run triple two batters later for a 5-3 edge. Michael Snyder added insurance by scoring Lewis Jr. with a sacrifice fly, and Jones circled the bases an inning later with a single, stolen base and wild pitch to give Pensacola a 7-3 lead.
Nigel Belgrave (S, 3) surrendered a solo homer to Darrien Miller in the seventh, but kept the Shuckers at arm’s length to earn the six-out save in a 7-4 final.
In game two, Pensacola’s top prospect Karson Milbrandt (W, 1-1) surrendered a run in the first inning without allowing a hit. Blake Burke walked, stole second, took third on a throwing error, and scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 Biloxi lead.
Milbrandt would settle down, ultimately striking out eight over 6.0 two-hit innings, and got a lead to protect in the bottom of the second when Lewis Jr. launched a three-run homer off Biloxi’s Manuel Rodriguez (L, 1-2) for a 3-1 advantage.
Dillon Lewis launched his team-leading fifth homer of the season, an opposite-field shot to right field, in the fifth inning to extend Pensacola’s lead to 6-1.
The Shuckers scored twice in the top of the seventh and loaded the bases with the top of their order due up, but Logan Whitaker (S, 3) retired Dylan O’Rae and Jesús Made with the tying run at first to end the game.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the Biloxi Shuckers on Sunday.
written by Erik Bremer
Blue Wahoos Rained Out Friday; Double Header On Saturday
May 2, 2026
Friday’s game at Blue Wahoos Stadium 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 Saturday with a pair of seven-inning games beginning at 4:05 p.m. Game two will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Fans planning to attend Friday’s postponed game can exchange their tickets for a future 2026 regular season home game of equal or lesser value at the Blue Wahoos Stadium ticket office. As stated on tickets, no refunds will be given.
Fans with tickets to Saturday’s regularly scheduled game will gain admittance to both games in the doubleheader, in the seats they have been assigned. Gates open at 3:00 p.m.
The Blue Wahoos play the Shuckers again on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m., and continue their homestand on Tuesday as they begin a six-game series against the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
Northview Lady Chiefs Blank Jay For District Title (With Gallery)
May 1, 2026
The Northview Lady Chiefs shut out the Jay Royals 7-0 on Thursday night to win the Rural District 1 championship — the Lady Chiefs’ second district championship since 2019.
Northview took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning and held steady to earn the win in Jay.
Junior Mikayla McAnally was a force in the circle for NHS, allowing only one hit, walking two and striking out 11. Cadee Carroll took the loss for Jay, surrendering seven hits and seven runs (four earned) while walking two and striking out three.
Daviona Randolph went 2-3 at bat with two RBIs to lead the Chiefs at the plate. Riley Brooks also had two RBIs. Emery Vaughn went 1-3 for the Royals.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Thursday night was the seventh consecutive victory for Northview, now 18-5, while Jay dropped to 11-12.
Northview will be at home in Bratt next Thursday for the regional semifinals. The game is currently set for 7 p.m., but coaches are looking to change to a 6 p.m. start. Jay will likely also receive a regional bid that will put them on the road for May 7.
The regional finals for the Rural class will be on May 12, and it’s possible the Royals and Chiefs could meet again. Last season, Northview beat Jay 4-1 for the regional title before finishing as state runners-up.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Rain Delays Northview Regional Games To Saturday, Possibly Sunday
May 1, 2026
The Northview Chiefs will host the Chipley Tigers in the Rural Division semifinals in a best-of-three series, but Friday’s game has been canceled due to weather.
The No. 1 seeded Chiefs (18-8) will host No. 4 Chipley (15-10) at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday. If the teams split, a third game will be played at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The park will be cleared between games on Saturday, with a new ticket purchase required for Game 2, according to FHSAA rules.
We will keep you updated on the schedule here on NorthEscambia.com and on our Facebook page.
Northview and Chipley met once early in the regular season, with Northview winning 17-3 on February 24.
The Chiefs beat Jay 2-1 on April 17 to claim the district title. Jay will travel to Holmes County for their semifinal game.
Pictured: Northview won the district championship on April 17. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
