AquaSox in position to clinch first-half title

EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox head out today for an eight-game road trip. When they return there’s a good chance they’ll have a playoff berth in tow.

The first half of the Northwest League season concludes while the Sox are on the road, and Everett is in position to claim the West Division’s first-half title.

Everett went into Sunday’s action at 22-7, which put the Sox 4 1/2 games clear of Eugene in first place in the division with nine games remaining in the first half.

Everett just has to hold off the Emeralds and the Vancouver Canadians, who were one more game back, through its road trip to finish first. The Sox start the trip with three games at Salem-Keizer, which occupies last place in the West. It then concludes with five games at Yakima, which leads the East Division. The first half ends with the final game against Yakima.

However, Everett manager Rob Mummau said he wasn’t worrying about winning the first half and clinching a playoff berth.

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Mummau said. “I know we’re playing well and we’ll just try to come out and try to play well again tomorrow.”

Team effort

Mike Zunino may have received all the attention during Saturday’s doubleheader against Tri-City, given the Seattle Mariners’ first-round draft pick was making his professional debut. However, somewhat obscured by the commotion were some outstanding contributions by the rest of Everett’s team as the Sox swept the twinbill 6-3 and 5-1.

Chief among those contributions were the efforts of Everett’s starting pitchers. In the opener, Dylan Unsworth allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. He walked none and struck out nine. Seven of those strikeouts were looking as he had the Tri-City batters completely befuddled. Then in the nightcap Seven Ewing was equally effective, giving up one run on two hits and three walks in five innings, striking out six.

“Dylan went deep in the game and struck some guys out,” Mummau said. “He really kept the ball down well. Then Ewing, after having a little trouble in the second inning, made some real nice adjustments. He became more aggressive in the zone, attacking the strike zone using his fastball.”

And offensively, the critical blow in both games was delivered by an unexpected source. Going into the day David Villasuso and Janelfry Zorilla were hitting .299 — if you added their batting averages together. But Villasuso slugged a three-run home run in the first game and Zorilla matched that in the second game. Both homers were opposite-field jobs to right-center, and both gave Everett the lead for good.

“David and Zorilla did a nice job going the other way with two strikes,” Mummau said. “They’re two guys who don’t get to play every day, but they got their chance and took the opportunity.”

Sunday struggles

Everett’s loss Sunday was the Sox’s eighth of the season. Four of those have come on Sunday as Everett is just 1-4 on Sundays this season, including 0-3 at home. The Sox are 21-4 during the other six days of the week.

Today’s Game

Opponent: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

When: 6:35 p.m.

Where: Volcanoes Stadium, Keizer, Ore.

Radio: KRKO (1380 AM)

Probable starters: Everett right-hander Jose Valdivia (0-2, 6.65 ERA) vs. Salem-Keizer right-hander Joe Biagini (0-2, 3.26)

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

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.

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.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Cam Schlittler’s strong debut freezes Mariners

The Mariners fell to the Yankees, 9-6, on Wednesday night.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

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.