Miners Crash Glacier Pilots in Road Victory
July 21, 2016 - Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Mat-Su Miners offense continued a dominating stretch of road play with a seven-run third inning in a 12-1 win over the Anchorage Glacier Pilots at Mulcahy Stadium on Wednesday.
"These guys are doing a good job keeping their swings short and working on their craft," Miners head coach Ben Taylor said.
Leftfielder Michael Donadio put the Miners on the scoreboard in the top of the first, driving a double into left field to score shortstop Josh Bissonette and second baseman Levi Jordan.
The Miners (20-12) added seven runs in the third on four walks, three hits and an RBI groundout. Rightfielder Cam Montgomery doubled to left field to score Donadio while centerfielder Brooks Stotler provided Mat-Su with an RBI triple to stretch the lead to 9-0.
"I think I got into a groove during those exhibition games and ABL Home Run Derby and carried it into today," Montgomery said.
The Pilots (16-18) posted the team's lone run in the bottom of the fifth when rightfielder Joe Gillette doubled to score shortstop Kyle Watson, cutting the deficit to 9-1.
Mat-Su responded in the top of the eight, as Montgomery delivered a bases-clearing double to give the Miners a 12-1 lead.
"We've been really relaxed and having a lot of energy in the clubhouse," Montgomery said. "I think that it's been carrying over into the games."
Mat-Su starting pitcher Connor Higgins provided his team with five innings on the mound. The left-hander held the Pilots to one run and six hits while recording five strikeouts.
Relief pitcher Jordan Frederick entered in the sixth and added two hitless innings while tallying three strikeouts. Gage Burland added a scoreless eighth inning of work.
The Miners combined for 16 hits in the 11-run victory, including a 3-4 performance from Donadio and four RBIs from Montgomery.
"In the two or three games before All-Star weekend Cam was swinging the bat well," Taylor said. "He's got a high level of confidence right now, when you get a player who is talented with a high level of confidence good things tend to happen."
Mat-Su returns to Palmer for a nine-game home stretch, beginning with a 6 p.m. meeting with the Glacier Pilots at Hermon Brothers Field on Thursday.
"We've played a lot of games on the road and it's battle-tested us and toughened us up a little bit," Taylor said. "It'll be nice to play in front of the best fans in the Alaska Baseball League and big crowds at home."
• Discuss this story on the Alaska Baseball League message board...
Alaska Baseball League Stories from July 21, 2016
- Sharpley and Armenta Drive Miners Past Glacier Pilots - Mat-Su Miners
- Miners Crash Glacier Pilots in Road Victory - Mat-Su Miners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
