TODAY’S GAME
Opponent: Vancouver Canadians
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Everett Memorial Stadium
Radio: KSER (90.7 FM)
Pitchers: Everett left-hander Beau Hintz (2-2, 7.46) vs. right-hander Christian Gonzalez (0-5, 1.85)
NOTES
Hoop dreams: The AquaSox will be without a big part of their pitching staff late in the season, when they hope to be in contention for the North Division title. Phillip Cullen is big in both size and in his importance to the starting rotation. The 6-foot-9 right-hander will leave the team August 20 to return to the University of Utah, where he will likely start at power forward for the perennial top 25 Utes. Cullen, who was drafted in the 32nd round by the Mariners in June despite not playing baseball for two years, says baseball is his new first love, but finishing his degree and playing his senior year are important. Classes at Utah begin August 22.
“I’m enjoying playing both right now,” said Cullen, who has been told by the Mariners that they are perfectly willing to wait for a pitcher who throws in the low 90s. “Baseball is my future, but I really love playing college basketball.”
Cullen was the voted the top sixth man in the Mountain West Conference after his sophomore year and started all but five games last season. The versatile forward can play inside and shoots 37 percent from the 3-point line.
“It’ll be tough to leave, but I knew that was what I was going to do when I came here,” Cullen said.
Streaks: Winning streaks are good. Losing streaks are very, very bad. The Frogs have experienced both this season. Twice they’ve surged into first place in the division only to sink themselves with a string of losses. The Frogs are 35 games into the season and have experienced two losing streaks of five or more games. They’ve had a three-game slide, a four-game winning streak and have twice put together three consecutive victories. There have been only two instances where a win has been isolated and just four solo losses. Everett manager Terry Pollreisz puts a high premium on winning, but said improvement is just as important.
“Everybody wants to win,” Pollreisz said. “That’s the nature of the game. That’s why we keep score. But, as important as winning is that we’re getting better. If we’re getting better, then winning takes place.”
Hard luck loser: Christian Gonzalez, today’s scheduled Vancouver starter, has pitched well despite his 0-5 record. The right-hander has allowed only 10 earned runs in eight starts, but has been victimized by five unearned runs and limited offensive support.
Aaron Coe
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