Navarre hasn't had much luck against Escambia recently, but that could start to change on Tuesday. Navarre will look to defend their home field against Escambia at 7:00 p.m. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Navarre is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. They blew past Pensacola 18-1 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 were a major factor while hitting and pitching. Throwing, Maher tossed 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 nothing but reliable on the mound: 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. Those three RBI gave Maher a new career-high.
Garrett Gilbert
| 03/27/25 vs Pensacola | 3 |
| 02/10/25 vs Pine Forest | 2 |
| 03/17/25 vs Milton | 1 |
| 03/11/25 @ Fort Walton Beach | 1 |
| 03/10/25 @ Pensacola | 1 |
In other batting news, Garrett Gilbert was a standout: he scored three runs while going 2-for-2. Those three runs gave him a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Bo Shipley, who scored three runs and stole two bases while getting on base in all three of his plate appearances.
Navarre always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .704. They are a perfect 3-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, Escambia entered their tilt with Choctawhatchee on Friday with three consecutive wins, and they'll enter their next game with four. They came within a single run of losing the streak, but they secured a 9-8 W against the Indians. 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 solid in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with two RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Christian Stone was incredible, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while going 1-for-4. Another player making a difference was Taivyn Anderson, who scored two runs while going 2-for-3.
The victory made it two in a row for Navarre and bumps their season record up to 6-13. Those wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 6 runs in those games. As for Escambia, their victory bumped their record up to 15-5.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Tuesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Navarre has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.1 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Escambia struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 8.9 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one. Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other baseball content.
