Miners Edge Chinooks in Tight Matchup
Published on June 15, 2016 under Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
CHUGIAK, Alaska - A two-out RBI single from third baseman A.J. Lee proved to be the deciding factor for the Mat-Su Miners in Tuesday's matchup against the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks.
With a full count and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Lee's swing found a gap on the left side of the infield to score leftfielder Scooter Bynum and give the Miners a 4-3 victory.
"I was beat with a fastball earlier, so I was looking for something hard," Lee said. "It was a 3-2 count and I got a fastball. I just got the bat out to get ahold of it."
The Chinooks offense struck early in the game, capitalizing on an RBI groundout from centerfielder Mason Mallard in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead.
Bynum responded for the Miners with an RBI fielder's choice in the top of the second to score catcher Josh Rolette, who was walked earlier in the inning.
Bynum would later lead off the top of the fifth with a double, reaching third base on a sacrifice bunt from Lee. Centerfielder Madison Nickens provided a sacrifice fly to centerfield to give the Miners a 2-1 advantage.
The Chinooks would erase the deficit in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly from catcher Ben Hill.
"These are the ones that you've got to win, because they are so up for grabs," Miners head coach Ben Taylor said. "They will add up as the season goes on."
Second baseman Levi Jordan doubled to kick off the sixth inning for the Miners. The sophomore would later score on a two-out RBI double from first baseman Jake Scudder.
"Jordan is a lockdown guy," Taylor said. "You put him out there every day and you know what you're going to get. He's going to play above-average defense. He's going to contribute at the plate. He's just a solid veteran Pac-12 player."
Chinooks leftfielder Hunter Vansau followed with an RBI triple in the ensuing half-inning to tie the ballgame at 3-3 before Lee's single in the ninth gave the Miners the victory.
"(Lee) has been working really hard and his commitment has been really good," Taylor said. "If anybody deserves some success like that, it's A.J."
Left-handed pitcher Trent Shelton provided the Miners with 5.2 strong innings on the mound. The junior surrendered three runs on four hits and tallied four strikeouts.
Chinooks right-handed pitcher Brady Batten also went 5.2 innings on the mound. The freshman walked two batters and allowed three runs on five hits.
Jordan led the Miners offense with two hits and a run. Scudder also added two hits and an RBI.
The Miners return to Lee Jordan Field in Chugiak on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to face the Chinooks.
Alaska Baseball League Stories from June 15, 2016
- Miners Edge Chinooks in Tight Matchup - Mat-Su Miners
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