Bucs use the extra inning to edge Miners in the season opener

A late Anchorage rally spoiled Mat-Su’s season opener.

Anchorage scored three unanswered runs to steal a 7-5 extra-innings win over the Miners Saturday at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer.

Mat-Su outfielder Mike Ferrara beat the throw to the plate and scored on a Kevin Nakamura sacrifice fly to give the Miners the 5-4 lead in the bottom of the eighth. Mat-Su was three outs away from opening the 2021 Alaska Baseball League campaign with a win, but Anchorage was able to tie the game at 5 in the top of the ninth. The Bucs added a pair in the 10th inning.

Nakamura stood out in his debut. The Whitman College product sent a three-run shot over the left field fence to give the Miners the 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Nakamura added the sacrifice fly in the eighth to give him a four RBI night in his first game in a Miners uniform.

Josh Mrozek finished with two of Mat-Su’s seven hits. Nakamura, Casey Rother, Sam Thompson, Nick Cirelli and Ricky Nunez also finished with one hit each. Rother scored twice and Thompson also drove in a run.

Christian Steelhorst made the start on the mound for the Miners. The Slippery Rock right-hander didn’t allow a hit over four innings, fanned four and walked six.

The Miners drew 1,192 fans Saturday night.

The Chugiak Chinooks outlasted the Miners 10-7 Sunday at Lee Jordan Field in Chugiak.

Nakamura, the designated hitter against Anchorage, made his first start at catcher and continued his hot start. Nakamura was 2 for 3, with two RBI and a run scored. Cirelli finished with two hits, two runs and two RBI. Rother also scored twice. Kyle Landers tripled and scored in the loss.

Former Wasilla High standout James Arend made his Miners debut on the mound. He allowed two hits and two walks, while fanning three and not giving up an earned run.

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