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Northwest Sports Update: WWU’s Andrews wins national award, Storm future bright after active draft, M’s head to San Diego and more

Northwest Sports Update: WWU’s Andrews wins national award, Storm future bright after active draft, M’s head to San Diego and more

Western Washington University junior third baseman Maleah Andrews at the plate during a game at Viking Field. Photo courtesy of WWU Athletics. Photo: Contributed


Mariners News

The Mariners are looking to ride their newfound momentum down to San Diego tonight. They’re facing the Padres in the first of a three game series.

The M’s are coming off a sweep of their rival Houston Astros where their offense found its footing, combining for 29 runs across the four game series. They’ll now aim to break their road woes, having lost their last five away games.

The Padres should prove to be a tough test coming off a series sweep of the Colorado Rockies. They’ve won five straight and eight of their last nine games.

Tonight’s matchup is the first installment of this year’s Vedder Cup, which will award a trophy designed by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder himself to whoever gets the best of their total six games this season. 

Coverage for tonight’s series opener begins at 5:30 and first pitch is at 6:40 on KPUG with Bryan Woo on the mound.

Kraken/Torrent News

The Kraken couldn’t get a win to close their season at Climate Pledge.

Seattle fell to the LA Kings 5-3 last night in their final home game of the season. Quinton Byfield scored a pair of early goals to give LA the lead and they never looked back.

The Kraken tried a late rally with three goals in the final period, including Bobby McMann’s 10th goal in 16 games with the team, but still fell short.

Ironically, it was the Kings who officially eliminated the Kraken from playoff contention with their win last Saturday. Seattle was dealt another blow when the team announced Jared McCann will miss the rest of the season with a lower-body injury.

The Kraken will now gear up for their final two games of the season, starting tomorrow night against Las Vegas. Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7 on KGMI.

Meanwhile, the Torrent are up north against the Vancouver Goldeneyes at 10:00 tonight with just four games remaining in their inaugural season.

Storm News

The Storm were more than active during last night’s WNBA Draft.

The team started it off by selecting Awa Fam Thiam of Spain with the No. 3 overall pick. The 6-foot–4 center will give Seattle plenty of size along with last year’s No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga and the newly-resigned Ezi Magbegor.

After that, the Storm pulled off a shocker by trading for star LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson. Seattle sent their second rounder Marta Suarez at No. 16 overall and a 2028 second to the Golden State Valkyries in exchange for Johnson, who was selected eighth overall.

The 5-foot-10 point guard was a four-year starter at LSU and won a national championship with the Tigers in 2023. She’s also a rapper who was signed to Jay Z’s record label Roc Nation and even recorded a song with Lil Wayne.

UConn’s Azzi Fudd went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, joining her former Huskies teammate and fellow No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers.

WWU Vikings News

One of Western’s top softball players is gaining national buzz.

Vikings junior third baseman Maleah Andrews was just selected as the D-II Player of the Week by Louisville Slugger and the National Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association.

Andrews went 9-11 in four games against Montana State Billings over this past weekend, with six runs scored, three home runs and seven RBI. She’s the first Viking to earn the national award in five years.

The Viks are still clawing for first place in the GNAC standings, currently sitting two games behind Saint Martin’s. They’re back on the road this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders against Simon Frasier.

NFL News

One of the top names in sports media is stepping down from her position.

NFL insider Dianna Russini resigned from The Athletic today, less than a week after photos of her and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel prompted an internal investigation.

Vrabel and Russini have each denied allegations of an inappropriate relationship.

Russini joined The Athletic in 2023 after nearly a decade at ESPN, where she held various roles, including SportsCenter anchor.

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