AquaSox falter in ninth, lose 6-4 to Volcanoes

EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox came one foot away from yet another victory in a close contest.

But that miniscule distance was enough to result in Everett’s first loss of the second half of the Northwest League baseball season.

Jamodrick McGruder’s diving attempt at Joe Rapp’s liner in the top of the ninth inning came up short, and the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes rallied to defeat the Sox 6-4 Wednesday afternoon at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Everett made a habit of winning the close games in the process of claiming the Northwest League West Division’s first-half title, and the Sox were 17-5 in games decided by two runs of fewer heading into Wednesday. Everett seemed set for another tight win when it led 4-3 in the top of the ninth with two out and nobody on.

However, the Volcanoes got two runners on base courtesy of Kentrell Hill’s single and Matt Duffy’s walk. That brought Rapp to the plate, and he hit a sharp liner to left on an 0-1 fastball delivered by reliever Matt Vedo.

McGruder, playing left field, raced in and tried and snag the liner to end the game. However, the ball got down and bounced past McGruder to the wall. Both baserunners scored to give Salem-Keizer the lead.

“I saw him closing in on it and I knew he was quick out there,” Rapp said. “I knew there definitely was a chance he could catch it. When I saw it hit the ground, there was a little relief.”

Had McGruder kept the ball in front of him, one run at most would have scored on the play. However, Everett manager Rob Mummau didn’t fault McGruder’s decision.

“I thought the play was pretty close,” Mummau said. “He tried to dive for it to his right and gave it a good try. If he catches it, we win the game. He tried his best, that’s all you can ask.”

The Volcanoes tacked on one more run, then reliever Tyler Mizenko pitched his second scoreless inning to nail down the victory for Salem-Keizer (1-1 second half, 14-26 overall), which is hoping to bury the memories of a rough first half.

“The first half was a little bit of a struggle for us, but when the second half started it’s kind of like a new season,” Rapp said. “We just kind of took a step back, looked at some things we need to focus on, and we’re going to try and continue doing it through the second half.”

Salem-Keizer also received a strong effort from former Meadowdale High School pitcher Chris Johnson. Johnson threw four strong innings of relief to keep the Volcanoes close after the Sox took an early 3-1 lead.

Salem-Keizer’s late rally prevented Everett pitcher Dylan Unsworth from becoming the league’s first six-game winner. Unsworth, Everett’s right-handed control specialist from South Africa, didn’t have his best command — he walked three in 5 2/3 innings after walking none in his previous two starts. But he gutted his way through the outing, allowing three runs, and was in line for the victory, which would have improved his record to 6-0.

“He pitched really well,” Mummau said of Unsworth. “He battled and changed speeds well. Once again it was a good start for him.”

Taylor Ard went 2-for-4 with two RBI to pace Everett’s offense. The Sox dropped to 1-1, 29-11.

Salem-Keizer got on the board right at the start Wednesday. Hill, the first batter of the game, sent a liner to right-center that just eluded a diving Sox right fielder Alfredo Morales for a double. Hill advanced to third on a groundout and scored on Rapp’s sacrifice fly to left, giving the Volcanoes an 1-0 lead.

Everett replied in the bottom of the first. A walk, hit batter and wild pitch put runners on second and third for Ard, who lined a sharp single to left to bring home one run. When Hill in left bobbled the ball, a second run came around to score as the Sox went ahead 2-1.

The Sox got another run in the second, with another Salem-Keizer error playing a role. With two out Ketel Marte hit a one-hopper to short that handcuffed Matt Duffy. Richie Palase scored on the play to make it 3-1.

The Volcanoes pulled back within one in the fourth as doubles by Mac Williamson and Mitchell Delfino combined to make it 3-2.

Everett stretched the lead back to two in the fifth when Ard belted a double off the center-field wall, scoring Mike Zunino from first.

Salem-Keizer made it a one-run game again in the sixth when reliever Dominic Leone’s first pitch was in the dirt and got away from Zunino behind the plate, allowing Chuckie Jones to score from third.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.