The 2018 Alaska Baseball League Top of the World Series opened with a 12-inning classic between the Peninsula Oilers and the Anchorage Bucs.
The Anchorage Bucs outlast the Oilers in the tournament opener, manufacturing the game-winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning for a 1-0 victory and a 1-0 series lead. The Bucs load the bases and deliver a game-ending single to post the game’s only score.
Bucs 1- Oilers 0
Both starting pitchers had held both lineups in check through six innings. Oilers starter Tevin Murray tossed six scoreless innings, striking out five batters in the process. Bucs starter Preston Snavely threw four innings, allowing two hits, and stranding eight Oilers batters.
Oilers reliever Matt Amrhein followed Murray with four scoreless innings of relief.
The Oilers offense out hit the Bucs and the OIlers left over 10 runners stranded for the game, including bases-loaded in the first and second innings (without generating a run).
In the bottom of the 12th inning, OIlres reliever Tre Brown hit the lead-off man, allowed a single, recorded an out a third on a sacrific bunt attempt, hit another Buc batter to load the basees, and surrendered the game-winning RBI single.
In the other series opener, the Mat-Su Miners held-off the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks 5-4 for a 1-0 series lead.
Oilers fight to continue playoff push on Thursday
The Oilers, down 1-0 in the best of three game series play in game two Thursday, August 2nd at 7 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium.
An Oilers win extends the game to a winner-take all third game on Friday; a Bucs victory secures a spot in the Top of the World Series championship against the winner of the Mat-Su Miners and Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks series.
Oilers coverage tomorrow begins with the Sweeney’s Pregame Show at 6:40 on ESPN 1140AM and www.radiokenai.com
