Tate’s Aggie Classic Grows To 27 Teams
March 12, 2017
A field of 27 teams will take part in the 24th Annual Aggie Classic this week in the Pensacola area.
This year’s tournament has captivated the interest of teams from Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Florida. Last year’s Aggie Classic tournament Champions, the Tate High School Aggies, will return as the tournament host and to defend their title.
The Tate Baseball Boosters will serve as the host of this year’s four day tournament. The tournament will be hosted at Tate High, Escambia High, Gulf Breeze High, Milton High, West Florida Highl, Pace High and Washington High schools. Teams from five states will be spread across the seven sites.
The field features 20 teams that made the playoffs in 2016, including four that were regional finalists, two state runner-ups, and two state championship winning teams.
Within a 24 year history, the Aggie Classic has experienced 16 champions from Florida, five from Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Aggie Classic’s rich history has even included a large handful of future Major League baseball players including the likes of Alex Rodriguez (Yankees), Brad Salmon (Reds), Dejuan Brazelton (Rays), and Luis Exposito (Red Sox). In 2012, future Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston, played with Hueytown High School in the annual event.
ln addition, over 25 major league draftees who played their high school baseball careers at J.M. Tate High school all showcased their skills and talents on the fields of the Aggie Classic.
“The Aggie Classic continues to be one of the best high school tournaments in the country. This year we have drawn 27 teams from Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Florida, not including our seven host site teams”, said Greg Blackmon, head coach for Tate High School. “This year’s field is as large as it has ever been. The commitment by our community and our boosters to put on an event of this magnitude is huge. I am truly thankful for everyone’s assistance. The venues for the games have expanded and are the best diamonds in our area. We are looking forward to a great week of competition.”
Tournament passes are available for $25. Daily admission is $7.00, children 5 and under free. There will be no passes accepted or granted.
Pictured top: The Tate Aggies won the 2016 Aggie Classic. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Cantonment Ballpark Celebrates Opening Day
March 12, 2017
Saturday was opening day at the Cantonment Ballpark. Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry and Kazoo from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos were on hand for the big day. Photos courtesy Cantonment Ballpark for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Herrington Throws Shutout As Chiefs Beat Escambia Academy (With Gallery)
March 11, 2017
Tori Herrington threw a shutout as the Northview Chiefs beat Escambia Academy (Atmore, AL) 10-0 Friday night in Bratt.
Herrington allowed just three hits, no runs, had no errors and recorded 11 strikeouts. At the plate, Herrington was 1-3, with one run and one RBI.
For Northview: Jamia Newton 2-4, 2R; Kendall Enfinger 2-3, 3R; Aubrey Love 2-3, 3 RBI; Peighton Dortch 1-2; Alana Brown 1-3, R; Valen Shelly 3-3, 2R, RBI; Lydia Smith 2-3; RBI; Tieranna Redmond 2-4, 2RBI.
The Lady Chiefs will travel to Jay on Tuesday — varsity at 6:00, JV at 4:00.
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Tate Remains Undefeated With 4-3 Win Over Milton
March 11, 2017
Tate 4, Milton 3
Belle Wolfenden had three RBI’s as the Tate Aggies beat Milton at home Friday night 4-3.
In a complete game on the mound, Hannah Brown allowed just four runs, had two errors, walked to and had five strikeouts for the Aggies.
Hitting for Tate: Hayden Lindsey 2-3, 2R, RBI, 2B; Belle Wolfenden 2-3, 3 RBI; Kayleigh Cawthorn 1-3, R. Hannah Brown 1-2; Sydni Solliday 1-3.
The Aggies remain undefeated — 8-3 overall, 4-0 in district. Tate will host Pace on Tuesday.
Tate 5, Milton 0 (JV)
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Claims District Win Over Pace Patriots 7-2
March 9, 2017
The Tate Aggies beat the Pace Patriots on the road 7-2 in a district game Wednesday night.
Hanna Brown pitched a complete game for the Aggies, allowing four hits, two runs, four walks and striking out five with no errors.
Sydni Solliday tripled for the Aggies, while Brown and Belle Wolfenden doubled.
For Tate: Sydni Solliday 2-4 3B, 2 R, RBI; Belle Wolfenden 2-4 2B; Leslee Scruggs 1-2 RBI; Shelby Ulrich 1-3, 2 R; Kayleigh Cawthon 1-4 RBI, R; Hannah Brown 1-3 2B.
Pictured: Sydni Solliday tripled for the Tate Aggies Wednesday night in Pace. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
NHS Lifters Advance To Regionals
March 9, 2017
The Northview Boy’s Weightlifting Team competed in the FHSAA 1A Region 1 District 1 weightlifting meet Tueday at Baker High School.
Six Northview lifters placed and will advance to compete in the FHSAA 1A Region 1 regional weight meet on Saturday, March 25.
The following Northview lifters placed in their respective weight classes:
Greg Pressley, 3rd place, 119-pound class – 295-lb. total (150-lb. bench press; 145-lb. clean and jerk)
Dalton Hadley, 6th place, 129-pound class – 300-lb. total (165-lb. bench press; 135-lb. clean and jerk)
M.J. Jones, 2nd place, 139-pound class – 380-lb. total (200-lb, bench press; 180-lb. clean and jerk)
Ohijie Elliott, 2nd place, 154-pound class – 495-lb. total (270-lb. bench press; 225-lb. clean and jerk)
Colten Dockens, 5th place, 154-pound class – 430-lb. total (225-lb. bench press; 205-lb. clean and jerk)
Chase Olsen, 2nd place, 169-pound class – 525-lb. total (275-lb. bench press; 245-lb. clean and jerk)
Pictured: (L-R) Colten Dockens, Greg Pressley, Dalton Hadley, M.J. Jones, Ohijie Elliott and Chase Olsen. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Shuts Out Pine Forest
March 8, 2017
Tate 15, Pine Forest 0
The Tate High School Aggies shut out Pine Forest 15-0 Tuesday.
Tate scored three in the second, four in the third and eight in fifth for the run-rule win.
Hannah Brown (pictured) earned the win for Tate. She tossed three innings, allowing zero runs, zero hits, zero walks and striking out eight. Sydni Solliday pitched one, with one hit, no runs, no error, one walk and no strikeouts.
Shelby McLean was 2-2 with a run and two RBIs; Sydni Solliday went 3-3 at the plate with two runs and three RBIs. Also for Tate: Hannah Brown,1-3, RBI; Deazia Nickerson 1-1, R; Belle Wolfenden 1-3, R; Madison Nelson 1-1, 2R, 2RBI; Kayliegh Cawthon, RBI; Gabby Locke R; Kyndal Bray 1-1, R, RBI; Tristen Cook R, RBI; Taylor Hedgepath, R; Katie Snyder, R.
Fan submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Wrestler Porter Places Fifth At State
March 8, 2017
Tate High School wrestler Alex Porter placed fifth in the state in Kissimmee.
The Aggies sent five wrestlers to the state tournament, the most of any team from Pensacola to Tallahassee, with Porter the only one to place. Porter, a senior, placed sixth last year at state. With this year’s medal, Porter became one of only two Tate High wrestlers in school history to medal twice during his high school career.
Pictured top: Tate wrestler Alex Porter placed fifth in the state. Pictured top: Pictured below (front, L-R) Alex Porter, Jacob Cochran, (back) Kendall Townley, Coach Reggie Allen, Matthew Blalock and Juan Alvarez. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Blackmon’s Grand Slam Leads Tate Over West Florida; Miller Topples Northview
March 8, 2017
Tate 9, West Florida 3
Tate Aggies first baseman Logan Blackmon knocked one out of centerfield for a grand slam Tuesday night as the Aggies beat West Florida 9-3.
With runs in the first, second and fifth, the Aggies were up 3-1 headed into the top of the sixth when West Florida added two for the tie. Tate powered back with six runs in the bottom of the sixth. West Florida was only able to add one in the seventh as they fell to undefeated Tate.
Blackmon was 2-3 with a run and four RBI’s for the Aggies. Also for Tate: Reid Halfacre 1-3, R, RBI; Mason Land 2-4, 3R, RBI; Logan McGuffey 1-2, R, RBI; Trey LaFleur 2-4, R; Jesse Sherrill 1-1, R.
Tate 5, West Florida 0 (JV)
Central 4, Jay 2
T.R. Miller 5, Northview 4
T.R. Miller defeated the Northview Chiefs 5-4 Tuesday afternoon in Brewton.
Miller took the lead in the first inning 2-0, but the Chiefs went up 4-2 in the top of the second. Miller slowly eroded Northview’s advantage with runs in the third, fifth and the game winning run n the bottom of the seventh.
Quinton Sampson went 2-4 with a run and and two RBIs, while Devon Stabler had one RBI as he was 1-3 at the plate with one run. Also for Northview: Zach Payne 1-3; Josh Neese R; Blake Reid 1-3, R; Bailey Wilson 1-3.
Next up, Northview begins a road series Friday at Freeport.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Middle School Volleyball Playoffs – Ernest Ward Beats Ransom
March 7, 2017
The Ernest Ward Middle School volleyball team defeated Ransom Middle two sets to one in playoff action Monday night. The EWMS Eagles won the game on a 15-5 third set. Ernest Ward advances in the county middle school playoffs with a bye on Tuesday; their next game time and opponent for Wednesday is to be announced. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.