Kenai 6, Soldotna 5
The Kenai Kardinals downed the Soldotna Stars in walk-off fashion on Monday night in a dramatic opening to the season series between the rival schools. Gabe Smith for the Kardinals drove in four runs, including the game-winner.
The Stars took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Wyatt Gagnon singled in Levi Mickelson. The Kardinals answered right back in the bottom half of the frame on a SMtih RBI double, his first of the night.
Soldotna added two runs in the second and another run in the sixth to take a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh. And that’s when things really got interesting.
Stars pitcher Derrick Jones hit Kardinals’ leadoff man Zane Pellgrom with his first pitch to start the inning. Then, with a man on and no outs, Daniel Steffensen smoked a 3-2 pitch to the fence in right-center. The Stars quickly got the ball back in and appeared to gun Pellegrom down at the plate and double up the Kardinals by throwing Steffensen out at third base; however, both runners were called safe. Confusion abounded for several minutes as Stars coach Ken Gibson came out to talk with the home plate and field umpires, but both calls stood.
Kenai did not pass on the opportunity and followed up Steffensen’s RBI double with a Braden Smith RBI single, then tied the game on an RBI ground-out by Gabe Smith.
In extra innings, the Stars went 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth, and with 2-outs and the bases loaded, Smith put a 2-1 pitch from Jones back up the middle to walk it off for the Kardinals.
Kardinals relief pitcher Jackson Marion picked up the win. Jones took the loss for the Stars.
Kenai Play of the Game: Gabe Smith.
Soldotna Player of the Game: Trenton Ohnemus.
