EVERETT – Friday night the Tri-City Dust Devils (21-22) nearly climbed out of a four-run hole handed them by the Everett AquaSox (23-20), but the Frogs kept enough distance between themselves and their guests to take an 8-4 win at Everett Memorial Stadium and even the teams’ six-game series at two games apiece.
For the second straight night Everett jumped out to an early lead, taking a 4-0 advantage through the first two innings. The big blow came on a three-run home run by AquaSox 2B Austin St. Laurent, in the bottom of the 2nd off a pitch from Tri-City starter Yeferson Vargas (3-3). The Dust Devils would get on the board in the top of the 3rd, with SS David Mershon’s first hit at the High-A level an RBI single that scored 2B Capri Ortiz to make it a 4-1 game.
The home team added a run in the bottom of the 3rd to push the lead to 5-1. Tri-City would make its biggest move of the night a couple of innings later, scoring three runs with two out in the top of the 5th. Ortiz hit a spinning ball that grabbed on to the third base line and stayed fair for an infield single, stealing second to get into scoring position. Mershon then came back to the plate and continued racking up firsts, lining a ball over the right field fence for a two-run homer that cut the deficit in half to 5-3. CF Anthony Scull followed with a double, and DH Matt Coutney brought him in with an RBI single that moved the Dust Devils within one at 5-4. 1B Ryan Nicholson singled to put runners on the corners, but the rally ended there.
Two homers for Everett gave them some insurance for the remainder, first a solo shot by DH Matthew Ellis and then a second home run by St. Laurent (two-run) in the bottom of the 6th. Tri-City had at least one runner on in each of their final four at-bats but could not score. AquaSox reliever Lucas Kelly (1-2), who got the final out in the 5th and covered the 6th inning, got the win.
The Dust Devils offense racked up 12 hits, with the team getting to double digits in the hit column for the fourth straight game. David Mershon went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI on the evening, leading the way for the visitors. C Peter Burns (2-for-4), Matt Coutney (2-4, 2B) and RF Randy De Jesus (2-4, 2B) aided the cause.
A PIVOTAL GAME FIVE
Tri-City and Everett line up for game five of their six-game series at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night at Everett Memorial Stadium. Left-hander Francis Texido (0-2, 6.75 ERA) gets the call for the Dust Devils, countered by right-hander Evan Truitt (1-2, 4.50 ERA) of the AquaSox.
Free broadcast coverage on the MiLB app and dustdevilsbaseball.com will begin with the Dust Devils Pregame Show at 6:45 p.m. Fans can also watch the games for free (Everett broadcast) on Bally Sports Live, and via subscription on MLB.tv and the MiLB app.
The team returns after its trip to Everett for a 12-game homestand beginning Tuesday, May 26, at 6:30 p.m. against the Spokane Indians. After six with the Inland Northwest rivals, the Vancouver Canadians return to town for six games that bring the clubs to the month of June.
For tickets to both the Spokane and Vancouver series, as well as all 2026 Dust Devils home games, visit the official ticket site, dustdevilsbaseball.com.