AquaSox Fall On Opening Day In Spokane
April 3, 2026 — SPOKANE, WA: Although they drew more total baserunners, the defending Northwest League Champion Everett AquaSox fell to the Spokane Indians 4-1 on Opening Day at Avista Stadium. Spokane took an early lead, jumping ahead 1-0 during the game’s first frame. Center fielder Jacob Humphrey doubled in
April 3, 2026 — SPOKANE, WA: Although they drew more total baserunners, the defending Northwest League Champion Everett AquaSox fell to the Spokane Indians 4-1 on Opening Day at Avista Stadium.
Spokane took an early lead, jumping ahead 1-0 during the game’s first frame. Center fielder Jacob Humphrey doubled in the Indians’ first at-bat of the season, later advancing to third base one batter later as Kevin Hidalgo grounded out. Driving home Humphrey was right fielder Robert Calaz, who knocked an RBI single to left field to score Spokane’s first run of the 2026 campaign.
Everett knotted the game in the top of the second inning courtesy of heads-up baserunning from catcher Josh Caron and the bat of returner Brandon Eike. Caron led off the inning by reaching on a fielding error by Spokane shortstop Kelvin Hidalgo, and he stole second base during the next at-bat to place a runner in scoring position for Eike. With one out, the VCU alum delivered, lining an RBI single to right field to bring home the only AquaSox run of the evening.
The Frogs continued to threaten during the second, loading the bases by way of second baseman Austin St. Laurent’s single and center fielder Jonny Farmelo’s walk. However, a two-out strikeout ended the rally efforts, stranding the loaded bases.
Deadlocked 1-1, Spokane broke the game open with a three-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. With a runner on third and one out, Indians first baseman Kevin Fitzer hit a two-run home run, providing Spokane a lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the night. Cushioning their advantage was left fielder Max Belyeu, who hit a solo home run to go back-to-back with Fitzer.
Holding a three-run lead, the Indians pitching staff held the AquaSox scoreless across the game’s final five frames to secure their Opening Day victory. Everett outpaced Spokane in total baserunners, and four AquaSox reached base twice during the game: shortstop Felnin Celesten, third baseman Luis Suisbel, right fielder Carlos Jimenez, and Farmelo.
Opening Day moments from Avista Stadium! 📸
— Everett AquaSox (@EverettAquaSox) April 4, 2026
Photos by James Snook pic.twitter.com/2vYlG0wGmM
Making his first appearance in High-A, AquaSox Opening Day starter Colton Shaw spun 3.2 innings of three-hit baseball, allowing only two runs. The right-hander drafted in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Yale struck out four and walked none, showcasing strong control. Dominating the strike zone in relief was right-hander Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman, who tossed two shutout innings while not allowing a hit. The East Carolina alum struck out three and walked only one in what was also his first High-A pitching outing.
Adding a scoreless eighth inning of work for Everett was right-hander Jose Geraldo — a member of the 2025 Northwest League Champion AquaSox team. In one inning thrown, the native of Azua, Dominican Republic, allowed zero hits and struck out one.
PICTURED: Jonny Farmelo
PHOTO BY: Evan Morud
📍 Avista Stadium
— Everett AquaSox (@EverettAquaSox) April 4, 2026
📸🎥 Landon Welter pic.twitter.com/6hIfHD39rs
LOOKING AHEAD: The AquaSox play their second game of the season Saturday night at Avista Stadium, facing off against the Spokane Indians at 5:09 p.m. Right-hander Evan Truitt is slated to make the start for Everett from the mound. After the Spokane series wraps up Sunday afternoon, Everett trips back west to Everett Memorial Stadium to begin Opening Week presented by the Washington State Department of Ecology! Featuring a six-game series against the Tri-City Dust Devils, festivities include Opening Night, a magnet schedule giveaway presented by Pizza Hut, and a Northwest League Champions t-shirt giveaway!
ABOUT THE EVERETT AQUASOX: The Everett AquaSox are the defending 2025 Northwest League Champions and serve as the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Established in 1984, the club has been affiliated with the Mariners since adopting the AquaSox name in 1995. For the latest updates on the 2026 season — including community initiatives and appearances by Webbly — follow the Frogs on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, or visit AquaSox.com. Season ticket packages, group outings, and picnic experiences are available now by calling (425) 258-3673 or by visiting the AquaSox Front Office at 3802 Broadway.
ABOUT MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Single-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. Fans flock to MiLB games to see baseball’s future stars and experience the affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of MiLB since 1901. For more information, visit MiLB.com and follow MiLB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.