EVERETT — The Everett AquaSox were in trouble.

Leading 7-5 against the Eugene Emeralds in the ninth inning at Funko Field on Aug. 31, AquaSox closer Gabriel Sosa walked Eugene designated hitter Quinn McDaniel to load the bases with two outs. Sosa had already allowed a run earlier in the frame, and a base hit next would almost certainly tie the game, if not give Eugene the lead.

Blown saves are never a good thing for any baseball team, but slipping here — against the same team they would be set to face off with for the Northwest League Championship in just over two weeks — would be devastating for Everett.

Through the first five games of the series, Eugene dominated in nearly every facet. The Emeralds outscored the AquaSox 44-20, winning each game. They had twice as many hits with runner

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