Bucs sweep Miners in doubleheader

PALMER - For the first time this season, there's a tie at the top of the Alaska Baseball League standings.

Anchorage swept a doubleheader against Mat-Su Saturday night to move into a first-place tie with the Miners. Both teams are 10-6 in league play following the Anchorage wins. Mat-Su has been in the ABL lead since the start of the season.

Anchorage scored three runs in three different innings, including a combined six in the fifth and the sixth, and posted a 10-5 win over the Miners in the nightcap to grab the doubleheader sweep. Mat-Su had led 5-4 in the bottom of the fifth before the Bucs scored six unanswered runs.

Outfielder Elijah MacNamee smacked a two-run homer in the third to lead the Miners. Austin Bull and Justin Ammons each finished with a pair of hits. Oscar Marchena scored twice.

Earlier in the day, Jake Vieth belted a grand slam in the first inning, and the Bucs held on for a 4-3 win over the Miners.

The Miners scored all three of their runs in the third. Nick Brooks doubled and scored on a Mike Antico sacrifice fly. Preston Pavlica and Bull both scored for the Miners when Rainer Ausmus reached on an error.

Wasilla product Nolan Monaghan pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief for the Miners, allowing only two hits and no earned runs.

Mat-Su returns home to host the Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks Sunday at 4 p.m. at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer.