Sports Archive

Ivan Bateman remembers the tough moments all too well on the lacrosse field, the nights where the Raiders had little luck against the opposition, struggling to keep games close and hoping for better days ahead.

Both of their games during the inaugural 2020 season that was mostly wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic were double-digit losses. It happened six more times last year, including a 16-6 loss to Escambia.

Navarre’s baseball team picked up its biggest win of the season Thursday night, knocking off Crestview in a District 1-6A game on the road.

Juan Martinez racked up four hits and Kolby Vitale tallied three while Preston Barnett worked six innings as the Raiders won their second game of the season.

Eric Meraz came up off the bench after a successful lift, his arms flexed, his fists clenched as he let out a celebratory yell.

He was denied this moment a year earlier because of a disqualification over use of foul language, but there would be no roadblock to district glory this season for the Navarre senior.

Navarre will kick off the 2022 regular season in football Aug. 26 on the road against Fort Walton Beach. It is one of six road games Navarre will play this season, including trips to Tallahassee and Panama City.

The Raiders play their first home game of the season Sept. 2 when they take on 5A state-runner Pine Forest at Bennett C. Russell Stadium.

Cesar Murphy trailed one runner heading down the stretch of the 3200 relay Friday morning at Dolphin Stadium in Gulf Breeze.

Determined to close this race out for Navarre, he made his move, though he questioned for a moment in his mind if it was possible.

Caitlin Tilton watched as a well hit ball carried through the air on a cool spring evening in Pace. 

She ran after it, locked in on making a highlight-worthy play. 

Kolby Vitale slid across home plate Saturday afternoon at Blue Wahoos Stadium to put the first run of the day on the scoreboard for Navarre’s baseball team.

It was one of four runs the Raiders scored in the opening inning of play, setting the tone for that long-awaited first win of the year that came in the form of a 15-2 run-rule victory over Fort Walton Beach.

Madison Simmons’ toughness is never going to be questioned. She rarely leaves the field. 

In fact, Thursday night against Gulf Breeze, the sophomore wouldn’t have come off it at all had she not been shaken up making a defensive play on the ball before falling hard onto the ground.

Navarre begins its quest for another district championship in boys weightlifting Wednesday when the Raiders host the District 1-3A meet.

The Raiders are the reigning champs and are poised to hoist another trophy a year after making a run to the state meet where they finished tied for fourth.

Amber Leggett warms up on the court inside the Pensacola Bay Center on a morning in early March as the Troy pep band plays.

Leggett is about to play in her Sun Belt Conference tournament game for the Trojans just an hour down the road from where she grew up in Navarre.