CLEVELAND, OH – Some three years ago, Colt Emerson was tearing it up in the Muskingum Valley League for John Glenn, on his way to being named the Gatorade Player of the Year, right here in Ohio. Now, fast forward to 2026, he returns home for the first time as a pro, as the Mariners faced the Guardians in a true homecoming for Emerson.

“Being here is special. A lot of games growing up, coming here. So it’s going to be pretty surreal” said Emerson before game one of the series in Cleveland. “I love the game, you know? I respect the game, and I’m just so grateful to be here.”

Growing up a lifelong baseball fan in Ohio, Colt always knew this day would come, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to pinc himself every now and again when he puts on the Mariners jersey.

Emerson continued, “If ten-year old me can see me sitting here, see me on the field, that’s the only thing that matters. It’s been a fun journey.”

The game started slowly for Seattle, with no runs or even hits to talk about, at least until Emerson took the plate in the third. With one swing of the bat on an inside change up from left handed pitcher Joey Cantillo, he sent one into the right field seats for a home run in his first at bat back in his home state.

“I can’t even describe it” said Emerson, with a broad grin across his face after the game. “When I saw it go out, I took my time around the bases, just to look around, you know? You grew up playing here, and your first at bat, you hit a home run. It’s cool.”

Colt had quite the efficient ball game, reaching base three times with two walks, and accounting for two of the Mariners’ runs in the three to one victory. It is his first career multi-walk, and multi-run game in the major leagues.

Emerson continues to amaze his manager, Dan Wilson, each and every game.

“Like we’ve said before, he just sees the game and he senses the game and knows what to do in the right situation, and tonight was another example of that” said Wilson.

It’s another memorable moment in the remarkable rookie career of one of John Glenn High School’s finest, as Emerson continues to provide a much-needed spark for Seattle.

The Mariners are in Cleveland for two more games this weekend before heading back on Sunday night.

A major overhaul to the Illinois justice system could be officially underway.
 House Bill 3363 lays the foundation for a brand new agency, the state public defender office. 
 The goal is to bring more consistent legal representation for Illinois residents who can’t afford an attorney.
 Joining us now to discuss the rolled-out timeline is the bill’s sponsor, State representative Dave Vella, who actually started his legal career as a public defender, before heading to Springfield.

A suspect accused of making threats and violating a protection order led officers in northwest Indiana on a chase that ended when he crashed into a tree and was ejected from the vehicle, police said.

The Portage Police Department said on Friday, officers were called to a residence on Fiesta Drive after complaints of threats and a protection order violation. Later in the day, at around 3:45 p.m., officers were again dispatched to the property for the same reason, police said.

As officers arrived on the scene, the suspect’s vehicle was seen traveling away from the home. An officer later attempted to pull the driver over along Willowcreek Road near 700 North. The vehicle made a U-turn, and the officer believed he was coming to a stop – but the driver quickly sped away, police said.

At the intersection of Willowcreek Road and U.S. 6, the driver went through a red light and struck an oncoming vehicle before losing control and slamming into a tree. The suspect’s vehicle rolled several times, causing the driver to be ejected, police stated.

The driver was airlifted for treatment, but his condition wasn’t immediately known. A female passenger was taken by ambulance to an area hospital with injuries.

The driver who was hit at the intersection was treated at the scene and released, police said.

A third vehicle in a nearby parking lot was hit by the suspect’s vehicle as it rolled, and a person inside that vehicle was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The incident remained under investigation as of Friday night.