Baseball: Senior returns to spark Warriors; Moose win 2 on road

WASILLA - The Wasilla Warriors welcomed back a key piece of the lineup Friday night, and it didn't take long for he senior to deliver.

Dawson White collected a pair of hits and drove in three runs to lead Wasilla to a 12-1 Southcentral Conference win over Grace Christian at Wasilla High School.

“To have him back is amazing,” Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger said after the win.

White has spent time on the sideline this season, nursing a nagging injury. Ottinger said the senior has been anxious to get back on the field, and the Warriors have been eager to see him return.

“His bat is huge. He solidifies our lineup,” Ottinger said.

Ottinger said White's absence also left a hole in the outfield. Now instead of trying to fill the void left by White, Ottinger said he can get other players back to where they can best help the team.

“Things are coming together for us,” Ottinger said. “A lot of questions are getting answered. But we've got a few more to answer before playoffs.”

Friday marked the first of five straight lead games.

“Next week will be a grind,” Ottinger said of a stretch that also includes league games against Houston, Palmer, Colony and Homer.

White's return also allowed the Warriors to give one of their top pitchers, Jacob Gilbert, some time on the mound.

“We haven't been able to get him many innings this year being questionable in the outfield with Dawson out,” Ottinger said.

Gilbert responded by tossing a five-inning complete game. He scattered six hits and one earned run, fanned seven and didn't walk a batter.

“Gilbert's Gilbert. Happy-go-lucky. Same demeanor all the way through,” Ottinger said.

Gilbert also came through at the plate, recording Wasilla's first hit of the day, a run-scoring single in the third. Gilbert sparked a four-run inning, which also included White's two-run double.

Wasilla's win Friday came after nearly a six-day break. Last week, the Warriors finished with just one hit but used 11 walks to score a 5-3 nonleague win over Colony.

“I'm fine with walks, but I want to see my boys swinging the sticks,” Ottinger said. “This is one of the best lineups I've had since I've been here.”

Kyle Graham led the Warriors with three runs in the win. Gilbert, Clayton Boyett, James Arend and Balau Buckmaster added two runs each.

Warriors no-hit Houston

Nolan Murphy and Balau Buckmaster combined to throw a no-hitter and lead Wasilla to a 19-3 Southcentral Conference win over Houston Saturday.

Ben Werner and James Arend drove in four runs each for the Warriors. Clayton Boyett collected three hits, three runs and three RBI. Taylon Ottinger scored a team-best four runs.

Hayden Chivers, Jayden Elson and Dylon Warn drove in runs for the Hawks.

Palmer pounds Kenai

The Palmer Moose pounded Kenai 22-1 in Kenai Friday.

Lucas Adams drove in a team-high four runs during the Southcentral Conference win. Keagan Norman, Brady Shults, Kaj Taylor, Luke Guggenmos and Owen Hayes had two RBI each.

Cade Holland scored a team-high four runs. Guggenmos, Skyler Hale and James Nelson scored two runs each.

Keagan Norman and Hale combined to throw the one-hitter.

Moose score win over Stars

Palmer scored eight unanswered runs to grab a 9-7 come-from-behind Southcentral Conference victory over Soldotna in Soldotna Saturday.

Owen Hayes drove in three runs for the Moose. Skyler Hale scored a team-high three runs. Cade Holland added a pair of runs for Palmer. Brady Shults cracked a home run in the win.

Kalen Huddleston pitched a complete game for Palmer.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.