Pilots Claim Summer Solstice Showdown
Published on June 19, 2016 under Alaska Baseball League (Alaska)
Mat-Su Miners News Release
Mat-Su Miners vs. the Glacier Pilots in the 2016 Summer Solstice Showdown
(Mat-Su Miners)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -In the land of the Midnight Sun, Anchorage pitcher Weston Rivers shone the brightest Saturday night.
The left-hander threw seven scoreless innings to propel the Glacier Pilots to a 2-0 win over the Mat-Su Miners in the 2016 Summer Solstice Showdown.
The start time marked the latest Alaska Baseball League game of the season. The two teams kicked off at 10 p.m. and continued play past midnight.
"It's a pretty cool experience," Miners starting pitcher Justin Vernia said. "There's not going to be many other places with a 10 p.m. start time for a game."
Vernia provided a strong performance on the other side of Saturday's pitching duel. The right-hander held the Pilots to one earned run on three hits and recorded nine strikeouts in seven innings of work.
"Fastball command was a huge thing, that's always the key to success for me," Vernia said. "I was able to locate both sides of the plate. My changeup worked well, and I had a couple good curves here and there."
The Miners threatened in the fourth inning when rightfielder Cam Montgomery and catcher Josh Rolette reached base with two outs, but the two were left stranded on a strikeout by third baseman A.J. Lee in the following at-bat.
The Pilots offense would strike in the bottom of the sixth inning. Shortstop Kyle Watson doubled off the right field wall to score catcher Tyrus Green and reached the plate on a passed ball later in the inning.
Nathan Bonck and Fred Schlichtholz combined for two innings of relief for the Pilots, holding the Miners to one hit in the final innings of play. Mat-Su pitcher Gage Burland entered the game in the eighth inning and provided one inning of hitless relief on the mound.
Miners second baseman Levi Jordan extended his hitting streak to six games with a single in the third inning, while catcher Josh Rolette reached base twice with two walks.
The Miners return to Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage at 7 p.m. tomorrow night for a second straight matchup with the Glacier Pilots.
Images from this story
 Mat-Su Miners vs. the Glacier Pilots in the 2016 Summer Solstice Showdown |
Alaska Baseball League Stories from June 19, 2016
- Pilots Claim Summer Solstice Showdown - Mat-Su Miners
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