Colony graduate honored by Miners

PALMER — The Mat-Su Miners handed out their annual awards July 28, and for the first time a Valley product was among the players recognized.

Mat-Su pitcher Jacob Butcher, a 2013 graduate of Colony High School, earned the Stan Zaborac Award, an honor named for the late Miners general manager and given to the player who demonstrates outstanding leadership, professionalism, sportsmanship, clutch play and Miners spirit.

“That (award) means a lot, and makes it even more special to see a Palmer kid get it,” Taylor said of Butcher. “The kid grew up around the organization hosting players, doing all the things he’s done for us on and off the field. It’s a really special deal to give him that award.”

Butcher, a former Colony Knights standout and incoming senior at Division II Minnesota-Crookston, has made nine appearances for the Miners, including three starts, and has posted a 2.14 earned run average with 20 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings of work.

Butcher’s award was one of six handed out during the annual event hosted by the team. Outfielder Quin Cotton was named the team’s over most valuable player.

“The best is yet to come with that kid,” Taylor said of Cotton, who leads the Alaska Baseball League with a .331 batting average. “He’s had a fantastic summer, maybe as good a summer as anybody in the country.”

Cotton, a Parker, Colorado, native who will start his sophomore year at Grand Canyon University in the fall, also leads the ABL with 51 hits and 12 doubles.

Infielder Blake Benefield, who leads the ABL with six home runs and 30 RBI, was named the Miners top position player.

“He carried us through the month of June. We relied on him to drive in big runs, and he answered the call time and time again,” Taylor said of Benefield, who will be a junior at Middle Tennessee in the fall.

Right-hander Spencer Henson was named Mat-Su’s top starting pitcher.

“He’s been an emotional leader, especially on the pitching staff,” Taylor said. “We’re really lucky to have him.”

Henson is among the league’s best starters with a 0.61 ERA in six starts this season. He is 2-1 with 17 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings of work.

Henson will be a sophomore at Oral Roberts University in the fall.

Southeastern Louisiana incoming senior Josh Green was named Mat-Su’s top relief pitcher. Green was a late addition to the team, making his debut June 15. But he’s been a standout. As of Monday night, Green had a perfect 0.00 ERA in 14 appearances. Green leads the league with seven saves.

“That’s what you want out of an impact add. We brought him in to be an impact guy, and he’s definitely lived up to the bill,” Taylor said. “He slams the door for us.”

All-purpose threat Austin Dennis earned the Mike Kelly Award, named for the former Monmouth University product who was a standout in the field and on the mound for the Miners in 2003. Much like Kelly in 2003, Dennis has played multiple roles for the Miners in 2017.

“That guy has hit all over the lineup, did everything we asked him to do,” Taylor said. “I think he’s hit in every spot in the lineup, and played all over the field. He’s really saved us on the mound too.”

At the plate, Dennis has 31 hits and 11 RBI. He’s also scored 23 runs. Dennis has also made a half-dozen appearances on the mound, and has a 2.40 ERA with nine strikeouts over 15 innings.

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