FAIRBANKS — Even though Mat-Su led throughout, the Alaska Goldpanners managed to stay within reach of the Miners — for six innings, at least.

And then the Miners broke out the bats.

Mat-Su scored nine runs in the final three innings and cruised to a 12-4 Alaska Baseball League win over the Goldpanners at Growden Park in Fairbanks. “It was a close game (early) and we were kind of knocking on the door the whole day,” Mat-Su head coach Conor Bird said. “Then we just kind of broke through.”

Mat-Su collected a season-high 17 hits in the win — nine for extra bases — and eight different players crossed home plate in the victory.

Mat-Su improved to 6-4 in ABL play, and stood at the top of the league, with a half-game lead over the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, going into action on Monday.

The Miners also used the win to rebound from a 9-2 loss to the Panners on Saturday.

“It was good to come back,” Bird said. “They kind of clobbered us the day before.”

The rubber match was Monday at 7 p.m. in Fairbanks. Results were not available prior to press time. See www.frontiersman.com for the final.

Kyle Jensen, Troy Scott, John Shaffer, James Ewing, Ty Rasmussen and Blake Newalu each recorded multiple hits for Mat-Su.

“A lot of guys had multiple hits,” Bird said. “It was nice to see that, not only for our team’s confidence offensively, but for them individually to get some hits under their belt.”

Not only did Mat-Su consistently get on, but the Miners collected extra-base hits in bunches.

Scott recorded two of Mat-Su’s seven doubles. Shaffer tripled and Jensen homered in the win.

Mat-Su’s seven doubles not only set a season-high, but the Miners nearly met their season total of two-baggers.

Prior to the win, the Miners had only nine doubles in their first 13 games.

Mat-Su saved its best for last offensively, scoring three in the eighth and five more in the ninth.

Scott doubled and scored on a Shaffer single in the eighth, and Ewing followed with a two-run double.

In the ninth, Rasmussen, Wes Dorrell and Newalu recorded consecutive hits to load the bases, and Scott walked with the bases loaded to drive in a run.

Pat Minogue grounded out to push another run across the plate, and Shaffer tripled in the ninth to clear the bases.

While Mat-Su’s offense erupted in the later innings, starter Jason Erickson was in control on the mound from the start.

Erickson fanned nine hitters, while allowing only four hits and two earned runs in six innings of work.

The University of Washington product struck out the first five Panners he faced and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

“He pounded the zone like he’s always done,” Bird said. “He came up clutch, gave us a chance to win.”

Jeremy Atkins and Garrett Richards combined to allow one run in three innings of relief.

The Miners begin a four-game set against the AIA Fire at Growdwn Park today and return home to face a team from Taiwan on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Hermon Brothers Field.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor

Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.