Oilers Edge Miners in Season Opener
June 9, 2016 - Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
KENAI, Alaska - A seesaw pitcher's duel swung 1-0 in favor of the Peninsula Oilers on Wednesday, despite a strong showing from the Mat-Su Miners pitching staff in the team's season opener.
"The guys did a great job out of the bullpen, I couldn't have asked for more of the pitchers tonight," Miners head coach Ben Taylor said. "The defense did a great job, and if the ball drops one way or another, we win that game 2-1."
Oilers left-handed pitcher Dom Bazzani held the Miners (0-1) scoreless for seven innings to secure the victory. The UT Martin freshman tallied 11 strikeouts, walked two batters and allowed one hit during his time on the mound.
Right-hander Tyler Wyatt earned the starting nod for the Miners on Wednesday night. The Grand Canyon freshman surrendered just one run in his ABL debut, recording five strikeouts over the course of 5.2 innings.
"Tyler threw a ton of strikes, competed hard in the strike zone, commanded three pitches well and gave us one heck of a start," Taylor said.
The Oilers lone run came in the sixth inning, when junior third basemen Alex Seifert scored on a wild pitch after advancing to third on a sacrifice fly.
The Miners closest scoring opportunity came in the top of the sixth, when freshman second baseman A.J. Lee earned a leadoff walk.
Lee advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from junior centerfielder Madison Nickens and would later steal third base.
Bazzani escaped the jam with a two-out pop fly to left field to end the inning.
Kansas State first baseman Jake Scudder led the Miner offense with a single in the fourth. Junior Justin Vernia and freshman Gage O'Brien combined to throw 2.1 scoreless innings in relief for the Miners.
Sophomore catcher Cameron Miller provided a double in the second inning for the Oilers, while sophomore centerfielder Daniel Szpik added a single and a walk.
The two programs square off again Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Kenai at Coral Seymour Memorial Park.
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