NWE Celebrates Northview Chiefs Baseball As They Head Into Regionals
May 7, 2021
Many of the little league players at Northwest Escambia (NWE) in Walnut Hill dream of one day playing baseball for the Northview High School Chiefs.
The NHS Chiefs are headed into the first round of regional playoffs Friday night. So Thursday night, the NWE players decided to celebrate them and wish them the very best.
NWE players presented each district champion NHS Chief with a goody bag that included treats like sports drinks and sunflower seeds, inspirational quotes, and notes of encouragement.
Northview will host Paxton at 7 p.m. Friday in Bratt. The winner will face either Jay or Holmes County in the regional final on May 11.
Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Take Two On The Road Over Mississippi
May 7, 2021
The Blue Wahoos swept a doubleheader over the Mississippi Braves Thursday. The Wahoos won the first game 5-1 and shut out the Braves 6-0 in the second. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview And Jay Athletes Headed To State Track And Field Finals
May 6, 2021
Athletes from both Northview and Jay High schools will compete in the state track and field finals.
Jay will complete on Friday in Class 1A, and Northview will compete in Class 2A on Saturday. Both finals are at the University of North Florida Hodges Stadium in Jacksonville.
From Northview:
- Sarius Davis will complete the 100 meter and the 400 meter sprints (pictured top left).
- John Michael Ward will complete in the shot put (pictured top right)
From Jay:
- Jillian Thornton, ranked first in the state, will complete in the high jump. She also set a new school record at regionals (pictured below left).
- Issac Black will compete in pole vault (pictured below middle).
- Landry Cato will compete in pole vault (pictured below right).
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Max Meyer Dazzles In Pro Debut To Lead Blue Wahoos To Season-Opening Win Over Mississippi
May 6, 2021
Max Meyer was sensational for the Blue Wahoos in his much-anticipated professional debut as one of the baseball’s top prospects.
The relievers who followed were nearly as good.
It meshed perfectly into a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in Pearl, Miss. against the Mississippi Braves in a season-opener unlike any other. This one followed 605 days from the last Blue Wahoos’ game, following the 2020 shutdown from the coronavirus pandemic.
The opener also began Pensacola’s new era as the Miami Marlins Double-A affiliate.
Meyer, a Minnesota native, who became the third overall pick by the Marlins in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft, showed no sign of nerves or rustiness in his near flawless performance.
He yielded just one hit in five innings and two baserunners, while recording five strikeouts. He dazzled in front of a crowd of 2,307 at Trustmark Park, which included his parents, who traveled from Minnesota to see the special moment.
“Obviously, the standout performance was Max going five (innings),” said Blue Wahoos manager Kevin Randel. “He was very efficient with his pitches and seemed to get better as the game went along as well.
“I think it’s just his persona. It’s like he knows where he needs to be… and he knows where he’s going, most importantly. He never pitched in the Florida State League (High-A) or Low-A. It’s just the minor leagues to him and he feels he needs to be in the big leagues, he’s got the best stuff and that’s just how he pitches and we saw it (Wednesday).”
He was followed by three Blue Wahoos relievers – Sean Guenther, Anthony Maldonado and Colton Hock, who combined to allow just four hits, one walk and five strikeouts.
In the ninth, Hock earned the save with the M-Braves potential, game-winning run on first base. Hock, a fourth-round pick by the Marlins in 2017 out of Stanford, gave up a two out single and walk to get into trouble. But he then recorded the final out when getting next batter CJ Alexander to ground out, ending the game.
Meyer, meanwhile, was pitching in his first game that counted in 424 days – all the way back to March 6, 2020 as a junior at the University of Minnesota when he pitched what became his final collegiate game against Utah before the COVID-19 shutdown.
After waiting an extra day, following Tuesday’s rainout, Meyer flashed why he entered as the No. 23-rated overall prospect in all minor league levels by MLBPipeline.com.
The only hit Meyer allowed was a single in the fifth inning. He yielded just one walk and faced one batter above the minimum, leaving a memorable first impression. Both his slider and fastball were spot on. He kept hitting the corners with his fastball and the slider was curve-dropping into an unhittable pitch.
“The first two innings were nice, he’s was getting some swing and miss on his slider, but they weren’t really landing in the (strike) zone when he wanted to,” Randel said. “But about the third inning, he started landing some more breaking balls and he just got better as the game went along.”
The Blue Wahoos got their two runs in the first two innings. JJ Bleday, the Marlins No. 1 pick in 2019 out of Vanderbilt, drove in Victor Victor Mesa, who led off the game with a triple on the second pitch.
In the second inning, Lazaro Alonso laced a one-out single to score catcher Nick Fortes, who led off the inning with a double. The Blue Wahoos had four hits in the first two innings, but the M-Braves pitched check Pensacola on four hits the rest of the way.
“I think right away, right of the bat, just the offense getting going,” Randel said. “First time competition, underneath the lights, in however many days and we put up some good at bats early.”
The teams will play five more games before the Blue Wahoos return to make their home debut on May 11 against the Birmingham Barons.
by Bill Villona, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Escambia County High School Mourns Loss Of Coach
May 1, 2021
The Atmore community is mourning the loss of a beloved coach.
Escambia County High School Boys basketball coach John Shears, 44, has passed away at his Mobile home. He was also an offensive coordinator for the Blue Devils football team and a physical education teacher.
“Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all who loved him,” the school said in a statement. “Rest in Heaven Coach Shears.”
Counselors have been made available to ECHS students.
Funeral services have not yet been announced.
Jefferson Throws Shutout As Northview Beats Jay For District 1-1A Title
April 30, 2021
Jamarkus Jefferson threw a one hitter Thursday night as the Northview Chiefs shut out the Jay Royals 2-0 for the District 1-1A championship.
Jefferson allowed just one hit in seven innings and sat down four at Jay’s home field. The sophomore also led Northview at the plate, going 1-2.
“It felt good. We did what we had to do to win,” Jefferson said. “We’re a young team, and we are going to do it.”
For a game action gallery, click here.
For a gallery from the post game celebration, click here.
Northview really is a young team with just two seniors and one junior.
“It feels great. These young guys stepped up, the seniors stepped up and they continued to lead like we expected them to,” coach Jeremy Greenwell said. “It’s a good feeling for our program, but it’s coming together for the last five years and it’s finally where we want for sure.”
It was the first district title for the Chiefs since 2015.
Carson Walters took the loss for the Royals, giving up two runs and one hit while striking out six in seven innings. Todd Macks had Jay’s only hit of the night.
Up next, the Chiefs will host the regional tourney beginning Friday night, May 7. They will play the loser of Friday night’s Holmes County (Bonifay) and Paxton game.
“I think everybody is about equally talented,” Greenwell said. “It’s going to be fun to host it.”
“We are going to win it,” Jefferson predicted.
For a game action gallery, click here.
For a gallery from the post game celebration, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Jay Wins District 1-1A Crown; Niceville Beats Tate In District 1-6A
April 30, 2021
District 1-1A
Jay 2, Paxton 1 (8 innings)
The Jay Lady Royals walked off with the District 1-1A championship 2-1 over Paxton Thursday night.
The game was tied at one in the bottom of the eighth when Madison Mathis singled on a 1-2 count to score one run. Jay had tied things up in the bottom of the fifth with one run when Caitlyn Gavin lined out.
Mattie Cochran gave up one run and four hits over eight innings, striking out seven and walking none.
Brett Watson led Tate at the plate, going 2-4. Alayna Lowery, Christa Sanders, Mathis and Kassidy Nevels also had hits for the Lady Royals.
District 1-6A
Niceville 8, Tate 1
Niceville defeated the Tate Lady Aggies in the District 1-6A playoffs Thursday night, 8-1.
Abbie Burks took the loss for Tate, allowing 12 hits and seven runs over six innings while walking one.
Hannah Halfacre and Cam Wolfenden led the Lady Atties at bat, both going 2-3. Christina Mason and Michayla Kent each added one hit for Tate.
Pace Stuns Tate 14-1 In District 1-6A Semifinals
April 29, 2021
The Pace Patriots stunned the Tate Aggies with a 14-1 win Wednesday afternoon in the District 1-6A semifinals at Navarre High School.
In two and two-third innings, Josiah Glodfelter gave up 11 runs and seven hits while walking five and striking out four. Riley Lowery threw two and a third innings in relief, giving up two hits and three runs while walking two.
At the plate, Drew Reaves went 2-3 to lead the Aggies. Cade Kelly, Jackson Penton and Bray Touchstone added one hit each.
Also Tuesday, Niceville beat Crestview 8-0. Niceville will take on Pace Thursday night for the District 1-6A title.
Photo by Laura Glodfelter for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Track Athletes Advance To Regionals
April 29, 2021
The Northview boys and girls track teams participated in the FHSAA 2A Region 1 District 1 Meet in Panama City recently.
Athletes participating in the Girls 4×800m Relay, Girls 100m Sprint, Girls 200m Sprint, Girls 400m Sprint, Girls Discus, Girls Shot Put, Boys 4×800m Relay, Boys Long Jump, and Boys Shot Put advanced to the FHSAA 2A Region 1 meet which will be held at Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City on Saturday, May 1
Pictured: (front, L-R)) Sarius Davis, Raven McCarthy, Anna Adams, Michael Cody, John Bashore, Ethan Kilburn, (back, L-R) Coach Ronnie Gill, Holly Gilley, Coach Wanda Gafford, Shelby Kent, Dakota Giddeon, Amber Irby, Garret Bodiker, Anthoni Weaver, Dallon Rackard and Coach Doug Godwin. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Face Jay For District Title; Tate Softball To Play Niceville In District Final; Northview Softball Eliminated
April 28, 2021
BASEBALL
Northview 8, Baker 3
The Northview Chiefs defeated Baker 8-3 Tuesday afternoon in Jay.
Josh Landis pitched a complete game win for the Chiefs, giving up three runs on six hits, walking one and striking out two.
Bryce Korinchak and Rustin Pope went 2-3 for Northview. Kaen Odom, Jamarkus Jefferson and Luke Bridges each added a hit for for Northview.
“It was good, we started off a little slow,” Northview coach Jeremy Greenwell said. “But we did what we did the whole season…We expected to win, but it’s always a good feeling when you get the win.”
Northview (15-6) will face Jay (13-7) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jay for the District 1-1A championship.
“Jay has a good team. They are a little more top heavy that we are with a few more upperclassmen,” Greenwell said. “We’re young, but we’re talented. I feel great. We are going to play relaxed and loose like w have the whole year. I’m excited for it.”
More game photos below.
For a photo gallery from Northview and Baker, click here.
Jay 10, Central 0
The Jay Royals defeated Central 10-0 Tuesday night.
Andrew Diamond pitched three innings for Tate, allowing one hit, no runs and striking out three. Carson Walters pitched two innings, giving up one hit, no runs and striking out four.
Cody Gavin, Carson Walters and Payton Jackson each had two hits for Jay. Elija Melvin, Diamond and Todd Macks each added one.
Jay (13-7) will face Northview (15-6) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Jay for the District 1-1A championship.
SOFTBALL
Paxton 3, Northview 2
Jay 13, Baker 0
Tate 5, Navarre 3
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated the Navarre Raiders Tuesday 5-3.
Abbie Burks pitched a complete game for Tate, giving up three runs and eight hits while walking one and striking out five.
Madison Holland and Christina Mason both went 2-3 and hit homers in the fourth inning for Tate. Courtney Lundquist, Cam Wolfenden, Kennedy Turner, Sophia Jones, and Michayla Kent had one hit each for the Aggies.
Tate will play Niceville for the District 1-6A title at 6:30 Thursday. Niceville defeated Crestview 14-0 Tuesday.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
