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Northwest Sports Update: Cal hits first homer of the year, Kraken return from break, state wrestling and swimming standouts and more

Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh runs the bases past Chicago White Sox third baseman Lenyn Sosa after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a spring training baseball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Photo: Associated Press


Mariners News

The Mariners came out on the wrong end of a barnburner in Peoria this afternoon.

The M’s fell to the Chicago White Sox 12-10 in their fifth game of Cactus League play.

Cal Raleigh hit his first homer of the year and Ryhan Thomas added a solo shot to lead a red-hot Seattle offense, but its pitching struggled. George Kirby gave up two runs through one and one-thirds innings and the bullpen couldn’t provide much relief from there as the M’s fell to 2-3 in spring training.

You can listen to the game on tape delay on KPUG later tonight. Coverage begins at 7:00 and first pitch is at 7:10.

Kraken News

The Kraken are about to be back from their break for the Olympics. They’re on the road against the Dallas Stars tomorrow.

The surging Kraken will look to keep up their strong play before the break that saw them win five of their last six. They’re currently tied for 7th place in the Western Conference with 26 games left in the regular season.

But their return to the ice won’t be easy, going up against a Stars squad that’s riding a six-game win streak.

Coverage begins at 4:30 tomorrow and puck drops at 5 on KPUG.

NBA News

A former Huskies standout is making his return to the NBA tonight after a more than year-long layoff.

Dejounte Murray is taking the court with the New Orleans Pelicans for the first time since January 2025, when he tore his Achilles.

Murray spent one season with the Huskies where he earned All-Pac 12 honors before being drafted in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft. Since then, he’s been named to an All-Star and All-Defensive team, making more than $130 million in career earnings.

WWU Vikings News

Western’s softball team played its first home games of the season over the weekend.

The Viks won both legs of their doubleheader against Simon Frasier to bob their head back up above .500.

Freshman Alanna Wirtala highlighted the games by winning GNAC Softball Pitcher of the Week. She recorded the win in both games of the sweep, giving up just a single unearned run through nearly 10 innings.

The Vikings now own a 7-6 record after struggling through a pair of tournaments in California.  Senior shortstop Hailey Rath has been another bright spot, hitting five home runs to lead the GNAC.

The Viks are back in action this Friday when they start their NorCal Crossover tourney against Cal State Monterey Bay.

HS Swimming/Wrestling News

Several Whatcom County student-athletes brought home hardware from the state swimming and wrestling championships over the weekend.

Sehome senior Kaden Schmidt won his second straight state diving title in the 1-meter event. Squalicum’s Nolan Witman took second place and Bellingham’s Myles Ludwig came up third.

In girls’ wrestling, Squalicum junior Claire Hume won the 130-pound division, while Mount Baker’s Karalyn Cook and Meridian’s Gretchen Zandstra each earned second-place in their respective weight classes.

And in boys’ wrestling, Meridian senior Rhett Duersch won the 215-pound division, while Mount Baker’s Gavin Compton added a third place finish at 144.

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