EVERETT — The last thing Lucas Kelly remembered was seeing the ball hit Matthew Ellis’ catcher’s mitt. The next thing he knew, he was wrapped up in a hug as his teammates flooded around him.

By striking out his third batter of the ninth inning, Kelly secured the 2025 Northwest League Championship for the Everett AquaSox.

With a 6-3 win in Game 4 against the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on Saturday, the AquaSox won the best-of-five series 3-1, locking up their second championship and first since 2010. (The Everett Giants won the 1985 Northwest League Championship against Eugene as well.)

As the celebratory mosh pit migrated back towards the dugout, manager Zach Vincej stood back, misty-eyed, and watched his players enjoy the moment. In his third year as a manager, the 34-year-old has t

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