Tate Defeats Northview In Flag Football (With Gallery)
April 4, 2024
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs 21-0 in girls flag football Wednesday afternoon in Bratt.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Tate quarterback Gabrielle Smart had 103 yards passing, completing 14 of 20 attempts. Smart also had 60 yards rushing and one touchdown on six carries. Hannah Pitman had 100 yards rushing on six carries for the Aggies. Ryan Clarke had 34 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
Northview stats were not provided.
Wednesday was senior night for Northview with the team honoring seniors Carsyn Dortch, Kendal Beasley and Ava Gurganus before the game.
The Chiefs ended their season at 3-5 overall. The Tate Aggies, currently 5-5, will end their season Thursday against Gulf Breeze.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
NWE Hosting 8U, 10U Baseball Tourney With Free Entry
April 4, 2024
Northwest Escambia Bradberry Park will host a recreational 8U and 10U baseball tournament on April 13 and 14 with a three-game guarantee.
Registration is free. Click here for a registration form.
Blue Wahoos Complete Entertaining Showcase Against Monterrey Sultanes Before Season-Opener
April 4, 2024
by Bill Vilona, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
The never-before series with the Blue Wahoos and the Mexican League’s Monterrey Sultanes ended Wednesday with both teams hugging, exchanging their jerseys, then gathering for a team photo.
Then, a countdown in Spanish began for a fireworks show, while a Latin band performed and had people dancing on the concourse well after the game ended.
It was this kind of memorable night in Blue Wahoos Stadium history.
The game was a show, too.
The Sultanes hit three home runs, one of them a sure-bet into the water beyond left field, en route to a 6-4 win against the home team, which again reverted to its alter identity as the Pensacola Pok-ta-Pok in a nod to baseball’s Latino influence and Pensacola’s own Spanish history.
“I love Pensacola. I really love the people,” said Guillermo “Willie” Gonzalez, the Sultanes’ vice president, who began working for the team at 13-years-old as a baggage handler, then worked his way all the way into having management stake in the oldest franchise (81 years) in the Mexican League.
“The weather is amazing, the food, everything,” he said. “The last time we played in the (United) States was in 2011 (against the Arizona Diamondbacks). So many years ago. This was our brilliant idea. We are so excited… I had heard about the fireworks and we’re so happy.”
The two games, which are believed to be the first time a Mexican League team has played against an affiliated Major League Baseball team in the eastern side of the U.S.. brought a sizeable crowd on a perfect weather night Wednesday at the bayfront stadium.
The event came about when Monterrey’s lead owner, a golfer and fan of Pensacola’s pro star Bubba Watson, read the introspective book by the two-time Masters champion and 11-time PGA Tour winner and wanted to meet him. That led to a meeting and eventual decision by Monterrey to travel to Pensacola.
The two organizations have quickly connected and mentioned about continuing this kind of series in future years.
The two exhibition games served as a prelude the Blue Wahoos’ 2024 season, which officially begins on Friday against the Mississippi Braves, the Atlanta Braves affiliate, and in their last year as the M-Braves before moving next season to Columbus, Ga.
Monterrey, managed by Roberto Kelly, a 14-year outfield veteran in MLB, including six seasons with the New York Yankees, begin their season next week.
“I think it’s been good, especially being in Monterrey and getting to play such a high-caliber team. I think it’s been good for the players to see different players, this kind of pitching and I think that will help us for our season.”
As for the game, the Blue Wahoos broke through first on a bases-clearing, 3-run double by Tanner Allen in the second inning, part of a good night at the plate for Allen, a Mobile-area native and former high school player.
But Monterrey’s big bats enabled them to get the lead on three home runs, including two on consecutive at-bats by first baseman Christian Villanueva, who played two seasons (2017-18) for the San Diego Padres. Both were big bombs, but the second one had the likelihood of bouncing quickly into the water beyond left field.
Romero Cuadrado, who has played nine seasons at various levels, had the Sultanes’ other homer.
The Blue Wahoos, as they hoped were able to use a half-dozen pitchers each game and get their likely starters some tasted of night games at the stadium.
Blue Wahoos starter Luis Palacios pitched out of a second-inning jam with runners on second and third and none out, before he was lifted in the fourth inning.
Jay Rains On Northview’s Senior Night 9-1
April 3, 2024
Jay rained on Northview’s senior night, with the Royals winning 9-1 during intermittent rain showers Tuesday in Bratt.
Landon Golden pitched six and two-thirds innings for the Royals, allowing no hits and one run while walking two and striking out eight. Kaden Strength closed with one-third of an inning with no hits, no runs and striking out one.
Jackson Bridges went four innings on the mound for the Chiefs, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out four and walking two. Brady Smith closed three innings, surrendering four hits and four runs while striking out six and walking one.
Nick Baxley, Ethan McDonald, and Jax Lowery each had two hits for Jay. Haydn Morris and Lowery both drove in two runs for Jay.
Grayden Sheffield led the Chiefs with one RBI.
Northview will host West Florida at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, and Jay will travel to Fort Walton Beach Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Robbie Bodiford, Wyatt Scruggs and Rylan Minor were honored before the Senior Night game.
Pictured: North baseball seniors Robbie Bodiford (#6) with parents Robert and Angie Bodiford; Wyatt Scruggs (#16) with parents Ray and Kim Bodiford; and Rylan Minor (#18) with parents Brandon and Brittany Minor. Photos for NorthEscmbia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Lady Chiefs Beat Crestview 12-7 In Eight Innings
April 3, 2024
The Northview Chiefs beat the Crestview Bulldogs 12-7 in eight innings Tuesday night in Crestview.
Jamison Gilman tossed the first one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and three runs while recording two strikeouts and walking four. Mikayla McAnnally was in the circle for six and one-third innings in relief for the Lady Chiefs, giving up seven hits and three runs while striking out eight and walking three.
Gilman and Avery Stuckey had two hits each for Northview.
Northview will host the Escambia Gators on Friday.
Pictured: Northview’s Mikayla McAnnally. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Fall To Kentucky Team Ahead Of 1,600 Miles On The Road This Week
April 3, 2024
The Tate Aggies fell short 6-0 to the Spartans of South Warren, Kentucky, Tuesday night in Cantonment.
Neal Croom took the loss for the Aggies, going two innings while giving up one run on two hits, striking out two and walking one.
Connor Hassell, Kaleb Posta, Trey Rebber, and Clif Quiggins each one hit for the Aggies.
The Aggies will rack up over 1,600 miles on the team bus later this week, with a game at St. Augustine Thursday night and at Providence High in Jacksonville Friday night.
Blue Wahoos, Sultanes Of Mexico Play to 1-1 Tie in Festive Exhibition
April 3, 2024
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos rallied late in their season-opening exhibition game against the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey on Tuesday night, scratching across a ninth-inning run to force a 1-1 tie.
After hitting only seven singles over their first eight scoreless innings, the Blue Wahoos got on the board with one out in the ninth inning against Sultanes closer Jorge Rondon. Jake Thompson, who was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a Bennett Hostetler single in the fourth inning, laced a triple to the wall in right-center before scoring on a balk.
The tie spared the Pensacola pitching staff from a tough-luck defeat, as four righties combined to silence the Sultanes. Kyle Tyler allowed only an unearned run in 4.1 innings, departing after a Cody Morissette fielding error and Zoilo Almonte RBI single gave Monterrey a 1-0 lead.
Zach McCambley, Matt Pushard and Austin Roberts followed with 4.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing the Pensacola offense to force the late tie.
Tyler Viza, Stephen Tarpley and Carlos Morales kept the Blue Wahoos at bay for the first eight innings, combining for 10 strikeouts on a night when fly balls were stifled by a stiff gulf breeze.
The Blue Wahoos play their second and final exhibition game against the Sultanes on Wednesday night at Blue Wahoos Stadium before beginning their regular season on Friday at home against the Mississippi Braves.
written by Bill Vilona, Wahoos senior writer
Photos NIno Mendez/Blue Wahoos for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Free Mississippi State, Florida, LSU Women’s Soccer Games Saturday At Ashton Brosnaham
April 2, 2024
This Saturday, the women’s teams from three top ranked Southeastern Conference schools will compete in the Western Gate Soccer Showdown at Ashton Brosnaham Athletic Park, and admission is free.
The inaugural Western Gate Collegiate Soccer 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 the teams.
The game and autograph session times are below.
Blacksher Bulldogs Defeat Northview 12-2 (With Gallery)
April 2, 2024
The Northview Chiefs fell 12-2 in six innings to the J.U.Blacksher Bulldogs of Uriah, Alabama, Monday afternoon in Bratt.
Click here for a photo gallery.
Jayden White took the loss for the Chiefs, giving up seven hits and nine runs in five innings, striking out two and walking four. Harrison pitched one inning in relief, giving up one hit and three runs while walking two and striking out none.
Grayden Sheffield went 1-2 at bat for Northview with one RBI; Wyatt Scruggs was 1-3 wine on RBI. Kelan Jurey, Jayden White and Dand King each had one hit.
Next, the Chiefs (6-8) will host Jay at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Jay (5-6) is coming off a Monday 10-9 win over T.R. Miller.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Blue Wahoos Implement Metal Detectors, Other Screening For This Season
April 2, 2024
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have announced new enhanced safety measures at Blue Wahoos Stadium ahead of the 2024 season as part of their continued effort to improve fan experience and remain aligned with Major League Baseball’s facility operating standards.
Beginning on Tuesday, April 2 for their exhibition game against the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey, the Blue Wahoos will install metal detection and screening systems around the stadium’s main entrances. At the ballpark’s primary home plate entrance, the Wahoos have installed three automatic screening systems. The wire-free, high-convenience systems are currently used by eight different Major League Baseball clubs, including the Blue Wahoos’ MLB affiliate Miami Marlins. At stadium group entrances, the Blue Wahoos have installed two CEIA USA Metal Detection and Security Screening systems. The installed systems are part of a near-$100,000 investment by Blue Wahoos owners Quint and Rishy Studer to improve and prioritize fan and player safety.
“This move is consistent with our goal of making fans feel safe,” said owner Quint Studer. “Some years back, we expanded ballpark netting to the foul poles at a time when few teams were doing it. Over and over again, as foul balls that could have injured a fan were stopped by netting, that decision proved to be the right one. Prevention of harm is the key. Taking the lead from the Marlins and other MLB clubs in placing the most up-to-date detection system makes sense. We don’t ever want to be in the position of ‘we wish we had.’ This also supports the talented security staff, police officers and emergency personnel who are on site at every game.”
The Blue Wahoos remain wholly committed to fan and player safety as a top priority and are confident the new measures will ensure that Blue Wahoos fans and players can enjoy a fun, safe, and firearm-free experience.
The Blue Wahoos will host the Mexican League’s Sultanes de Monterrey in an exhibition series April 2 and 3, with Opening Day of the 2024 Southern League season coming Friday, April 5 at home against the Mississippi Braves. S
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. Founded in 2012, they have won Southern League Championships in 2017 and 2022. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for people in their community, and to make Pensacola the best place to live in the world.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.