Mariners News
The Mariners are hoping for some magic on the road after a disastrous homestand. The M’s went 3-6 over their three series at T-Mobile, including a series sweep at the hands of the Orioles most recently. They’ve dropped to a game and a half behind the Astros for first place in the AL West after losing 8 of their last 11.
Despite their struggles, Cal Raleigh is still chugging along as the major league leader in home runs. He picked up 12 hits over the homestand, including 7 homers, to help earn co-AL Player of the Week.
Bryce Miller is on the mound tonight as the M’s begin a three-game series against the Angels in Anaheim. Coverage begins at 5:30 and first pitch is at 6:38 on KPUG.
Bells News
The Bells fell short of a series sweep and lost to the Kamloops NorthPaws 6-2 last night. Kamloops scored all six of their runs in an explosive first inning, despite only getting one hit. They drew three walks and had three batters hit by pitches to get the early lead.
The Bells outhit the NorthPaws 5-2 in the game, but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Their bullpen was solid after the disastrous first inning though, only giving up one hit through eight shutout innings.
The Bells now fall to 4-2 on the young season after getting their second series win. They’re back on the road this weekend for a series against the Edmonton Riverhawks.
NBA News
The Indiana Pacers shocked the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals last night. Tyrese Haliburton hit a go-ahead jumper with .3 seconds left to give the Pacers a 111-110 win. The Pacers trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter, but Haliburton’s shot gave them their first lead of the game. It was the latest that any team has had their first lead in a Finals game over the past 50 years.
Indiana pulled out the win despite turning the ball over 24 times and giving up 38 points to league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The heavily-favored Thunder will try to even the series in OKC this weekend. You can catch Game 2 at 5:00 Sunday on KPUG.
Meanwhile, in the NHL, Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals takes place at 5:00 tonight in Edmonton. The defending champion Florida Panthers will look to even the series up at one game apiece.
League expansion is expected to be top of mind for NBA owners next month. League commissioner Adam Silver said yesterday that he thinks owners will urge expansion to be “formally explored” during next month’s meeting.
He warned that expansion “isn’t automatic,” and says the league’s expected to move into the exploratory stages this summer. It was still a win for Sonics fans, as yesterday marked the first time Silver said he expects expansion to become a formal discussion point at the meeting of league owners.
Seahawks News
The Seahawks’ full list of Top 50 players in franchise history has been released.
A few recent standouts made the final cut, including receiver Doug Baldwin and linebacker K.J. Wright. Punter Michael Dickson joined Devon Witherspoon as the two current Seahawks who were chosen. A pair of receivers who just left the team rounded out the list in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
You can view the full list on the Seahawks’ website.
Prep Sports News
Postseason awards are out for spring prep sports in Whatcom County. In boys soccer, Bellingham High School’s Spencer Wolfe won Coach of the Year and Squalicum junior Isaac Grimes won Offensive Player of the Year in the Northwest Athletic Conference. Sehome led all schools with four players on the All-Conference First Team and four on the second team.
For baseball, Lynden Christian landed two players on the All-Conference First Team to lead Whatcom.
And in fastpitch softball, Mount Baker senior Gracie Zender won Offensive Player of the Year. Lynden paced the county with two players selected to the All-Conference First Team.
All the awards were voted on by NWC coaches.
WWU Golf News
Speaking of postseason awards, a member of Western Washington University’s golf team just earned a major honor. Junior Lauren F. Lee was selected as an honorable mention All-America selection. Lee finished in a 4th-place tie at the D-II National Championships last month. She became the first women’s golfer at Western to earn All-America honors in nearly 15 years.
