The Peninsula Oilers secured back-to-back wins for the first time this summer after a resounding 15-1 win against the Mat-Su Miners at Hermon Brothers Field Thursday night.
The 15 runs scored are the most in an Alaska Baseball League game this season.
The Oilers, (4-5, 4th ABL) evened up the regular season series against the Miners, (4-2, 2nd ABL) at 1-1 with the victory.
Following three scoreless innings which featured masterful pitching and timely outs, the Oilers plated the evening’s first pair of runs against Miners starter Grant Richardson. In the fourth inning.
Following back-to-back walks, and three passed balls by Miners catcher Grant Fahrlander which led to the first run of the night, the Oilers tallied their second run on a two-out RBI single from Khadim Diaw to take a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning.
The Miners answered in the bottom of the frame when Emilio Barreras doubled in Sebastian Tomerlin against Oilers starter Ryne Palmer. Palmer, with two in scoring position forced Cooper Vest to fly out to end the inning, while keeping the Oilers lead in tact 2-1.
The Oilers pounced for five runs in the fifth against Miners reliever Ethan Lyke after a costly error by Barreras at short kept a one-out rally afloat.
Between Lyke and Larry Westall, the Oilers scored five runs on four hits in a lengthy top of the fifth inning to take a commanding 7-1 lead.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Oilers added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning on a two-run home run to right field from Nick Costello.
In the top of the eighth, the Oilers scored a season-high six runs on five walks, a hit batter and one hit, an Owen McElfatrick two-run shot to left field.
In the bottom of the inning, third-year Oilers reliever Mose Hayes closed the door on the Miners to complete the 15-1 victory in an eight-inning shortened game.
The Oilers complete their 10-game road trip to begin the ABL season tomorrow against the Anchorage Bucs at Mulcahy Stadium.
First pitch is at 6 pm.
The Bucs lead the regular season series 2-0.
Listen to the Oilers on ESPN 1140 AM, 96.9 FM and www.radiokenai.com
