Anyone’s game

MAT-SU — Judging by the first half of the Southcentral Conference season, the final weeks should provide a wild ride for local prep baseball teams.

The Colony Knights have checks in the loss column in conference play for the first time in years. Palmer has routed teams and watched opponents rally. Wasilla scored undoubtedly the craziest win of the year. And Houston is proving the Hawks were no fluke in 2010. Many folks around the local diamond may have their picks of which team will be standing following the Southcentral tournament later this month. Possibly the only thing that everyone can agree on is it’s anyone’s ballgame.

“There is no dominant team,” Colony head coach Jamie Mayo said recently. “I really think whenever the region tournament rolls around, it’s whoever’s hot.”

Colony

The Mayo-led Knights have been the team to beat in the conference in recent years, but Colony has had to overcome early season losses to Kodiak and Homer. The Knights bounced back to edge Palmer 8-7 and beat Wasilla 11-1. The Knights are led by seniors Taylor Palmer and Dominic Comerate.

Palmer has spent most of his time behind the plate, but Mayo said he hopes to give Palmer — arguably the most versatile Knight — time in other parts of the field. Comerate typically calls the left corner of the infield home and has been solid on the mound. Sophomore Jonathon Boyer and junior Damon Hammer have anchored the CHS infield.

Aaron Butcher and Jacob Butcher are leading the Colony outfielders.

Boyer is establishing himself as a potential ace for the Knights.

Senior Eddie Lee provides a spark of the CHS bench.

Wasilla

The Wasilla Warriors scored possibly the wildest win of the year so far, beating Palmer 26-23 last week. Wasilla allowed 13 runs in the top of the first, but was able to climb back thanks to eight runs in the bottom of the inning and another 10 in the fifth.

Seniors David Newman and Brody Coleman are leading the charge. Newman and Coleman are two of the Warriors top arms on the mound and leaders at the plate.

Keith Pulver and Robert Rodamer have also impressed coaches at the plate and in the middle infield.

Sophomore Ben Fielder has had big games at the plate, and has served as the starting catcher for the Warriors.

Palmer

Palmer head coach David Combs is entering new territory during his tenure as the Moose bench boss.

“This is the first group I’ve had for all four years,” Combs said of his seniors.

That senior class includes Tim Rockey, who pitches, catches and plays third. Rockey is also a leader at the plate who has homered multiple times this season. Senior Greg Prickett is a player Combs has long felt could be a top baseball athlete for the Moose. This year, Prickett is settling into the top spot in the batting order and a home at shortstop. Senior Kevin Montgomery owns the Palmer starting job at first and holds a key spot in the batting order.

Junior David Media has excelled with his bat and arm. Media also plays third for Palmer.

Sophomore Luke Huen is hitting second in the order and starting at catcher. Matt Jansen has earned the starting job at second, and Augustus Topp is helping lead the Palmer outfielders.

The Moose started strong, scoring big wins over Houston, Kenai and Soldotna. Palmer suffered wild losses to Colony (8-7) and Wasilla (26-13) before edging Homer 20-19 on Friday.

Houston

The Houston Hawks opened eyes last year, beating Valley rivals Palmer and Wasilla during the first season back as a varsity program after a long hiatus. Houston head coach Bill Kramer said the Hawks know they won’t surprise this year.

“The guys know the teams they beat last year are looking forward to the games this year,” Kramer said recently. “We know we have to be ready.”

The Hawks return a number of players from the 2010 varsity team, including junior captains Scott Kramer and Russ Ruta and senior Patrick Fitzgerald.

Kramer (shortstop) and Ruta (second base) anchor the Houston middle infield, and Fitzgerald is working behind the plate. The trio is also all near the top of the HHS batting order.

The Hawks also have senior Dylan Figley in the outfield. First baseman Greg Schmidt, infielder Michael Malodor and outfielder Zach Lovelace are also part of a deep Houston junior class.

Freshmen Cody Bunting and Mitch Ruta are also cementing their spots on the varsity roster.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.