At one point, pitching was once the weak point on an Oilers team that led the Alaska Baseball League in every offensive statistical category. Fast forward to July, the last two games specifically, Oilers starting pitching has allowed one hit in 13 innings.
A 3-2 win for the Oilers over the Anchorage Glacier Pilots on Tuesday was fueled by starting pitcher Connor McCord’s seven inning, no-hitter. The Oilers have won two, straight meetings against the Pilots and continue their current series with the “fly boys” at Mulcahy Park.
Oilers 3- Pilots 2
The Pilots opened the scoring with a lone run plating Jackson O’Boy following a lead-off base on balls. That proved to be the only run allowed by Oilers starter Connor McCord.
Pilots starter Nick Johnson cruised through his first four innings before being roughed up in the fifth for three runs. Jaden Fein led off with a double, Giancarlo Servin walked and after a sacrifice bunt, Victor Carlino deposited a two-run triple to give the Oilers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Carlino scored the third run on a Paul Steffensen sacrifice fly.
With the lead, McCord didn’t look back.
The Pilots, after the third inning, managed two baserunners against the Oilers left-hander. On his 109th pitch of the night, McCord struck out the Pilots’ Alex Baeza, stranding two runners for the Pilots and completing seven hitless innings for McCord on the mound.
In the eighth the Pilots scored their second run with a Daylen Calicdan solo home run against Oilers reliever Drew Thorpe to cut the Oilers lead to 3-2.
Thorpe retired the Pilots in order in the ninth to secure the win for the Oilers.
The Oilers (12-19) in the last two games against the Pilots (14-15) at Mulcahy Stadium have allowed three combined hits.
Oilers Current Road Schedule
The second game of the current, three-game series against the Pilots begins Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium.
Thursday: vs Pilots; 7:10 pm at Mulcahy Stadium
Friday: vs Miners; 1 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium (NC) Scout’s Showcase Game
Saturday: vs Bucs; 7 p.m. at Mulcahy Stadium (NC) Scout’s Showcase Game
Sunday: ABL Home Run Derby; 1 p.m; ABL All-Star Game; 4 p.m.
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