Herald staff
EUGENE, Ore. — The Everett AquaSox and Eugene Emeralds have gone as far as they can go.
The Frogs topped the Ems 7-1 Monday before 3,746 fans at PK Park, forcing a winner-take-all third game to determine the 2016 Northwest League championship. That game takes place at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.
Everett starter Ljay Newsome (1-0) scattered five hits and struck out six in six innings of work. He did not walk a batter.
The AquaSox (3-1 postseason) defeated Eugene (3-2 postseason) four times in the five-game series between the two teams in August. Everett is looking for its first NWL championship since 2010 and just the third title in franchise history.
The AquaSox never trailed and took a 2-1 lead into the fourth before they erupted for four runs to chase Eugene starter Tyson Miller. Bryson Brigman and Eric Filia tallied back-to-back RBI singles, and Nick Zammarelli’s sacrifice fly made it 6-1 in the fourth.
The Frogs tacked on another run in the sixth when Dimas Ojeda singled and Filia drove him home with a sacrifice fly.
The AquaSox earned their first lead of the series with two runs against Miller in the first inning. Brigman reached on a one-out error and Filia followed with a single before he was forced out on Zammarelli’s fielder’s choice. Zammarelli reached second on a wild pitch and came home when Kristian Brito singled up the middle for the 2-0 lead.
The Emeralds loaded the bases against Newsome with no outs in the second. Tyler Payne’s sacrifice fly scored Wladimir Galinda, but Newsome induced two groundouts to end the threat.
The AquaSox pounded out a dozen hits including three from Filia, who also drove in three runs. Yojhan Quevedo also had three hits and Brito drove in two runs. Brigman scored twice.
Everett relievers Michael Koval, Joselito Cano and Paul Covelle combined for three scoreless innings to close out the victory.
Miller lasted 3 1/3 innings for Eugene. Two of the four runs he allowed were earned as he surrendered six hits and two walks while fanning two.
Galindo had three hits including a double, and Zack Short had two hits for Eugene.
Reggie McClain (3-3, 4.47 ERA) will start tonight for the AquaSox. The Emeralds have not determined their starter.
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