AquaSox clinch playoff berth on back of VanScoter’s 12-K start
By Callaghan Bluechel, edited by Charles Hamaker
Everett, WA - The Everett AquaSox began their six-game series against the Eugene Emeralds with an exciting win today, coming on top 2-1. This series, which is the last of the regular season, carried some importance coming into today, as the Emeralds were the only team capable of preventing Everett from getting the second-half playoff spot, which they would have to sweep the series to do.
Everett AquaSox starting pitcher Reid VanScoter was electric in today’s win (Photo by James Snook)
Reid VanScoter started the game for the AquaSox. He kept Eugene off the board for four innings, stranding Emeralds runners in scoring position in the 2nd and 3rd, while he racked up strikeout after strikeout. The Emeralds’ starter was Trevor McDonald, who also held the Everett scoreless over the first four, as the AquaSox pounded one infield grounder after another.
In the fifth, however, the Emeralds managed to manufacture a run. After getting Eugene second baseman David Dues to ground out to second, center fielder Grant McCray reached on an infield squibbler that AquaSox catcher Harry Ford couldn’t reach in time. Right fielder Carter Howell bunted him over to second, and then shortstop Aeverson Arreaga knocked a single into left to bring McCray home. 1-0 Emeralds.
In the bottom of the inning, Everett looked poised to even the score. With two outs, shortstop Cole Young walked and then Ford singled through the hole. Eugene manager Carlos Valderrama went to his bullpen, and reliever Tanner Kiest struck out AquaSox right fielder Gabriel Gonzales to end the inning.
Everett AquaSox outfielder Gabriel “Gabby” Gonzalez has been a big contributor since being promoted (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
VanScoter buckled down for the rest of his outing, striking out the side in the sixth and getting two more in the seventh. He was pulled with two outs in the top of the seventh and a man on, finishing the day with 6.2 innings pitched, 7 hits, 1 earned run, 1 walk, and a career-high 12 strikeouts. Reliever Kyle Hill finished the seventh and kept Eugene off the board in the eighth despite a leadoff single by Arreaga.
Where Eugene had scratched across a run with small ball, Everett leapfrogged their opponent with the big fly. After first baseman Hogan Windish hit a two-out single, third baseman Ben Ramirez launched William Kempner’s 2-1 offering into the netting above Funko Field’s cozy center-field fence. 2-1 AquaSox.
The Emeralds wouldn’t go down without a fight, however, and AquaSox reliever Peyton Alford could only record one out before Eugene loaded the bases. Everett manager Ryan Scott brought in Jarod Bayless to quash the threat, and he did just that, striking out Howell and Arreaga to end the game.
Everett AquaSox shortstop Cole Young recorded a hit and walk today, getting on base twice. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
Prospect performances
The AquaSox have several exciting prospects that played well today. Starter Reid VanScoter projects to be a solid middle-to-back-end starter. Cole Young, 2023’s #38 rated prospect, looks like he could turn into a solid-hitting middle infielder. Harry Ford, ranked #40, is an unusually speedy catcher. Hogan Windish is an infield prospect with the ability to hit the ball consistently. Here are their stat lines for today:
Reid VanScoter: 6.2 IP, 7 H, BB, 12 K
Cole Young: 1-3, BB
Harry Ford: 1-4
Hogan Windish: 2-4, R
Everett AquaSox catcher Harry Ford produces on the field, and is charismatic off it (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
Other AquaSox prospects to keep an eye on include outfielder Gabriel Gonzales, who is ranked #68 due to his power at the plate, pitcher Marcelo Perez, who has an effective fastball and slider combo with good control, Axel Sanchez, a good defensive shortstop with some power, and Jimmy Joyce, a pitcher with a knack for striking batters out who boasts a sub-1 WHIP with Everett.
The AquaSox are in the playoffs
With their win today, the AquaSox have clinched the second-half playoff spot and will face the Vancouver Canadians in the best-of-five Northwest League Championship Series. After the conclusion of the regular season on September 10th, the best-of-five series begins with two home games on the 12th and 13th before the series moves to Vancouver on the 15th, with games scheduled for the 16th and 17th if necessary.
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Instagtram: @CirclingSeattleSports Twitter: @CirclingSports Threads: @CirclingSeattleSports Tiktok: @CirclingSeattleSports Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports 〰️
Instagram: @CSS_Futures Twitter: @CSS_Futures Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports
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Instagram: @CSS_Futures Twitter: @CSS_Futures Facebook: Circling Seattle Sports 〰️
Check out our previous Everett AquaSox articles here
Check out our previous CSS Futures articles here
Check out articles by Callaghan Bluechel here
Photos by Rio Giancarlo