Escambia is 8-2 against Navarre since April of 2018 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Tuesday. Escambia will challenge Navarre at 7:00 p.m. Escambia is coming into the matchup hot, having won their last four games.
While Escambia's victory against Choctawhatchee wasn't quite the blowout it was the last time the pair played, they still came out on top. Escambia had just enough and edged out Choctawhatchee 9-8. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Gators have posted since March 6th.
Clayton Sanders made a big impact no matter where he played. On the mound, he struck out six batters over 6.1 innings while giving up four earned (and four unearned) runs off seven hits (and only one walk). What's more, he gave up only one walk, the fewest he's had since back in March. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two RBI and one double. That's the most RBI he has posted since back in March.
Christian Stone
| 03/28/25 vs Choctawhatchee | 3 |
| 03/05/25 @ Theodore | 2 |
| 04/05/24 vs Pine Forest | 2 |
| 03/25/25 vs Northview | 1 |
| 03/11/25 vs St. Andrew's Episcopal | 1 |
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Christian Stone, who scored two runs and stole three bases while going 1-for-4. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Taivyn Anderson, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
Escambia kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now got at least eight hits in eight consecutive games.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Navarre). They were the clear victors by an 18-1 margin over Pensacola on Thursday. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the team's high-flying offense, the game also marked the team's biggest victory of the season.
Luke Maher and Ethan Mahoney made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Maher pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Meanwhile, Mahoney tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits. Maher has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two hits in three consecutive appearances. At bat, Maher went a perfect 1-for-1 with three RBI, while Mahoney scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-1. Mahoney also brought in three RBI, marking his first of the season.
In other batting news, Navarre got a massive performance out of Garrett Gilbert, who scored three runs while going 2-for-2. Cole Wood also deserves some recognition as he brought in his first RBI of the season.
The win made it two in a row for Navarre and bumps their season record up to 6-13. Those victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 12.0 runs over those games. As for Escambia, their record is now 15-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Escambia has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 8.9 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Navarre struggles in that department as they've been averaging 7.1 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Escambia skirted past Navarre 3-2 in their previous matchup back in March. The rematch might be a little tougher for Escambia since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
