The AquaSox’ Josh Stowers (25) gets a hand from teammate Bobby Honeyman after scoring a run during a game against Tri-City on June 24, 2018, at Everett Memorial Stadium. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

The AquaSox’ Josh Stowers (25) gets a hand from teammate Bobby Honeyman after scoring a run during a game against Tri-City on June 24, 2018, at Everett Memorial Stadium. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

AquaSox have been hit or miss so far this season

Everett’s season has been one of streaks, and the team is looking to get back on a good one.

EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox are approximately one-third of the way through their 76-game regular-season Northwest League schedule. So far their season has been one of competing streaks.

The Frogs (12-13) began the season with a three-game home losing streak before a seven-game winning streak propelled them to the North Division lead.

But the AquaSox return home Wednesday to Everett Memorial Stadium looking to end a five-game losing streak that has seen them fall one game behind the Vancouver Canadians and Tri-City Dust Devils — the two teams who have dealt Everett its five consecutive losses.

Tuesday was an off day for the entire NWL — just Everett’s second day off since the season began on June 15 and the final scheduled off day until the All-Star break begins Aug. 6.

Wednesday begins an eight-game homestand that first brings the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (14-11) to town for a five-game set. The Volcanoes have dropped four of their past five contests.

Salem-Keizer, the short-season affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, boasts 2018 first-rounder Joey Bart on its current roster. Bart, a catcher, was recently promoted from the rookie-league team in Arizona and is slashing .304/.333/.870 with four home runs and 11 RBI in just five games with the Volcanoes.

Salem-Keizer has a prolific offense that leads the NWL in most offensive categories including home runs (25), RBI (123) total bases (390) and is collectively slashing .289/.358/.448.

Meanwhile, the main difficulty for Everett during this most recent stretch has been its futility at the plate.

The Frogs were shut out three straight games before finally breaking the string in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss at Kennewick as the Dust Devils completed the three-game sweep.

Everett tallied six hits in each of the games in which it was shut out, and had just four in Monday’s defeat. Everett is now tied for last in the Northwest League in hitting with a .218 batting average. The AquaSox are seventh in both on-base percentage (.297) and slugging percentage (.330).

At least one AquaSox hitter is bucking the team-wide trend of futility at the plate.

Infielder Connor Kopach has been a revelation both at the plate and in the field despite being a relatively unheralded prospect taken by the Mariners in the 25th round of this year’s draft out of Southern Illinois.

Kopach homered in his first career game and is slashing .333/.400/.472 with seven extra-base hits in 72 at-bats with six stolen bases for the Frogs. Kopach is seventh in the NWL in hitting and has hit safely in six of his last seven games entering Monday’s contest.

Defense has been Everett’s calling card early in the season although a three-error game on July 5 led to seven unearned runs in an 8-4 loss to Vancouver. The Frogs committed a pair of errors in Monday’s 5-1 loss at Tri-City and have now committed 16 in 25 games.

Everett’s pitching has been mixed. Emerging ace Jheyson Caraballo took a 3-0 record and a 2.61 earned-run average into Monday’s start at Tri-City. He suffered his first loss of the season as he went just four innings in the 5-1 defeat, but leads NWL starters in ERA at 2.92. The Mariners picked up Caraballo as a minor-league free agent this past offseason after the Venezuelan right-hander was released after two seasons with the Houston Astros organization.

The AquaSox relief pitching corps has been strong and is led by Jamal Wade who has a 0-1 record with one save, a 2.08 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 13 innings over eight appearances.

Joey Gerber, Seattle’s eighth-round pick out of Illinois, boasts a mid-90s fastball and is 1-0 with three saves, a 2.35 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 7 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. He was described as perhaps the most “big-league ready” player selected by the Mariners in this year’s draft.

Rob Whalen is tentatively scheduled for a four-inning stint on the mound Wednesday for Everett. Whalen, who has spent most of the season with Triple-A Tacoma and made one appearance with the Seattle Mariners, allowed two solo home runs in a two-inning stint on July 6 as he continues his rehabilitation from shoulder inflammation.

The Spokane Indians come to town for a three-game series following the five games with Salem-Keizer.

For the latest AquaSox news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mill Creek Little League softball players listen to former players talk about their experiences at regionals before the start of their practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Little League softball all-stars win state

The team will open the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on June 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks make rare deal to sign Nick Emmanwori for camp

How much do the Seahawks already value Nick Emmanwori, months before he… Continue reading

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) hits a home run during a game between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh becoming known for more than his nickname

Cal Raleigh endured the busiest all-star “break” in the history… Continue reading

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.

Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

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

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.

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.