EVERETT — A strong second-half surge has propelled the Everett AquaSox into the Northwest League playoffs for the first time since 2013.
The AquaSox of Northwest League Manager of the Year Rob Mummau open the playoffs against the Tri-City Dust Devils Monday at 7:05 p.m. at Everett Memorial Stadium.
The North Division best-of-three series continues Tuesday and if necessary, Wednesday at Gesa Stadium in Pasco.
Everett beat Tri-City seven times in 12 games this season and both teams finished 22-16 in the first half standings. However, the Dust Devils earned the first half division title by virtue of a 2-1 record against the AquaSox in the first half.
The AquaSox clinched the second half division title with an 8-5 win at Spokane on Wednesday. Since then, however, Everett has dropped four straight to conclude the regular season with a 20-18 second half record and an overall mark of 42-34.
Tri-City entered Sunday night’s regular-season finale with a second half record of 19-18 and an overall mark of 41-34.
Right-hander Andrew Moore (1-1 record, 2.08 earned run average) will start Game 1 for Everett. Moore has eight starts among his 14 appearances this season and has struck out 43 hitters in 39 innings pitched. Moore started twice against Tri-City this season and did not allow an earned run in either three-inning stint.
Moore will be opposed by Tri-City right-hander Brett Kennedy (0-2, 2.70 ERA). Kennedy started once against the AquaSox and did not allow a hit in three innings.
The AquaSox are led by Northwest League MVP Drew Jackson. The shortstop led the league with a .358 batting average after flirting with .400 for much of August, and stole 47 bases in 51 attempts.
Outfielder Braden Bishop, a former star at the University of Washington was also named a postseason all-star after hitting .320 and stealing 13 bases for the AquaSox.
Logan Taylor (.267, four home runs, 42 RBI) and Corey Simpson (.261, eight home runs, 45 RBI) are key run producers, while Alex Jackson also has eight homers.
Ty France led the Dust Devil regulars with a .292 average and 35 RBI. All-star Jose Carlos Urena hit .253 with seven home runs and team-best 44 RBI. Pitcher Walker Lockett (3-0, 2.83 ERA) was also an all-star for Tri-City.
Everett last won the Northwest League championship in 2010 with a 2-1 series victory over Spokane. In 2013 Everett was swept in two games by Vancouver, which went on to win the title over Boise in three games.
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