Northwest Sports Update Pac-12 gets final member, Mariners win nail-biter of a series, Bells at mid-way point and more

Texas State announced it will join the restructured Pac-12 conference for the 2026 season, fulfilling the requirement for eight football-playing institutions to retain FBS status. The Bobcats depart from the Sun Belt Conference, where they have competed for over a decade. The Mariners edged the Rangers 6-4 in a thrilling series finale, marking a historic moment as all three games in the series went into extra innings, a first since May 2015. Mitch Garver's performance included three hits and a decisive 2-run homer in the 12th inning. The Bells maintained their top position in the North Division by sweeping the Kamloops NorthPaws, boasting an 18-9 record.

They await the results of Wenatchee’s games to determine playoff implications. In MLS, the Sounders defeated Austin FC 2-0, propelled by Jesús Ferreira's and Danny Musovski's goals, moving them into fifth place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Storm lost to the Golden State Valkyries, although Nneka Ogwumike earned her 10th All-Star selection, underscoring her impact in the league.