Area sports

The 2026 minor league baseball season is upon us, and the Spokane Indians take the field this year with a new manager, six players in the Colorado Rockies top 30 prospects list and 12 returning players from last season as part of the 28 assigned to the Rockies’ High-A affiliate in the Northwest League.

There's something about these Spokane Chiefs where they play their best when their backs are against the wall. It's an instinct that's keeping them alive in the Western Hockey League postseason.

No team wants to be eliminated on their home ice. Yet, the Spokane Chiefs were faced with that prospect on Wednesday after falling behind Prince George 3-0 in their best-of-seven Western Hockey League Western Conference first-round matchup.

In 1988, Mark Machtolf got his coaching start at Gonzaga under longtime Bulldogs baseball boss Steve Hertz. Now, Machtolf is about to break Hertz’s program record for wins as head coach.

With another season of major and minor league baseball upon us, let’s take a unique look back at notable events involving Spokane minor league baseball figures during their time in Spokane and/or the major leagues. 

There's an old adage that says a playoff hockey series doesn't really start until the home team loses. So, when the Spokane Chiefs lost the first two games of their Western Conference first-round series on the road in Prince George, Alberta, there wasn't any panic.

A new star has emerged for Gonzaga, and he’s putting up incredible batting numbers for a Bulldogs team that’s finding its stride.

When you’re trying to solve a goalie who was an NHL first-round draft pick, it helps to generate a ton of shots and create traffic in front of the net, looking for deflections or rebounds.

In just over a minute, with not a scratch on him, Chiesa cemented his legacy in the UFC with a submission win over Niko Price at a sold out Climate Pledge Arena.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Spokane Zephyr and Sporting Jacksonville traded first-half goals in quick succession and played to a 1-1 USL Super League draw at Hodges Stadium on Saturday.

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The Prince George Cougars finished eight wins and 16 points ahead of the Spokane Chiefs, sweeping the four games between the two teams in the regular season. But when the Western Hockey League playoffs start, the records reset to 0-0.

Spokane surrendered more than three goals for the first time since October 2025, and the Velocity suffered a 4-0 USL League One loss against Charlotte Independence at American Legion Stadium on Friday. 

As recently as Feb. 6, when they allowed the last-place Vancouver Giants to snap an eight-game losing streak, the Spokane Chiefs were on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

Representing Spokane for the last time, Michael Chiesa (19-7) will make his final walk to the octagon on Saturday.

The Seattle Reign FC was unsure what it would be like playing in a stadium smaller than what they are used to. With ongoing renovations at their typical home at Lumen Field – which seats 68,740 – the Reign began a three-game slate in the Lilac City with a 3-0 shutout over Kansas City Current at ONE Spokane Stadium on Wednesday.

Following the popular debut of the Seattle Sounders in Spokane last week, professional women’s soccer club Seattle Reign FC takes its shot in the Lilac City for the first time Wednesday.

The Spokane Chiefs learned their postseason schedule on Monday and will open the Western Hockey League playoffs on Friday at Prince George.

Despite a considerable advantage in shots, the Spokane Chiefs closed their regular season with a rare shutout loss, falling 4-0 to the Seattle Thunderbirds on Sunday at the Arena.

The Spokane Zephyr were held scoreless for the first time since February in a 2-0 shutout loss to D.C. Power on Saturday at ONE Spokane Stadium.