A pitchers’ battle throughout, the Alaska Baseball League Top of the World Series first-round pairing between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners was decided in the bottom of the ninth by an outstanding defensive play and some noise from the Oilers bats.
The Mat-Su Miners held-off the Oilers 2-1 to claim the first-round pairing and to advance to the championship round of the Top of the World Series.
Miners 2 – Oilers 1
The Oilers allowed two runs in the fourth inning to the Miners and the Miners surrendered one run in the sixth inning to the Oilers. The game came down to the bottom of the ninth.
Oilers designated hitter Jack Bauer opened with a single and was advanced with one out to third on a Caleb Hicks double. After a ground-out to short stop, which did not allow a run to score; Ryan Smith hit a sinking line-drive to left center field and the Miners Elijah MacNamee made a game-saving catch to steal the game for the Miners. Final Score: Miners 2 – Oilers 1
Oilers starter Raymond Kerr threw five innings and allowed two runs while striking out five. Kyle Lucke closed the final four innings without allowing a run.
The Miners face the Anchorage Bucs on Friday in the Top of the World Series finale’, a best 2 of 3 series at Herman Brothers Field in Palmer.