Crimson Bears edge Road Warriors

ANCHORAGE — If the starting pitcher hits the mound, scattering three hits and no earned runs over six innings of a seven-inning contest, most teams are going to be comfortable penciling a check inside the win column.

Wasilla Road Warriors starter Nolan Monaghan did exactly that, allowing the three hits and no earned runs, while striking out four.

Monaghan was good, but unfortunately for Wasilla, his counterpart on the mound was even better.

Tanner Petrie pitched a two-hit shutout and struck out 12 Road Warriors to lead Juneau to a 1-0 win over Wasilla at Bartlett High School in Anchorage.

“He just pitched a wee tiny bit better than our guy,” Wasilla manager Myrl Thompson said of Petrie. “No doubt about it, he was on. His breaking stuff was just painting the corner.”

Led by Petrie, Juneau tagged Wasilla with its first loss of the season. The Road Warriors (6-1 overall, 5-1 league play) are now tied with Juneau (7-2, 5-1) for first place in the Alaska American Legion’s American Division.

Thompson said he was not surprised by the stellar performance of the Crimson Bears, and their ace, Petrie.

“We’ll see them all year long,” Thompson said of Alaska’s top pitchers. “The aces, the No. 1s and 2s. You’ve got to adjust to it. You’ve got to expect it.”

Juneau capitalized on a Wasilla error to score the lone run of the game. Thompson said the mistake came on a pick-off attempt. The ball made its way into the outfield, allowing the runner to score.

“They didn’t make any mistakes or errors. We made a few of each,” Thompson said.

Wasilla was slated to host Juneau in a doubleheader at McManus Field on Thursday. Heavy rain washed away those plans. Thompson said there was a scramble to get at least one game in, and an open field was found at Bartlett High. Juneau’s game against Palmer, scheduled for Wednesday, was also rained out. Thompson said there is a plan for Juneau to return to the Valley to face both Palmer and Wasilla in a doubleheader in Wasilla sometime in July.

Wasilla is scheduled to host Palmer Friday at 6:30 p.m. at McManus.

Wasilla 19, East 2

ANCHORAGE — The Road Warriors pounded East 19-2 in Anchorage on Monday.

Ben Ross led the Warriors, finishing 4 for 5 with a run and two RBI in the win. Tyler Hansen added three hits, three runs and two RBI. Matt Palmer finished with two hits, a home run and four RBI. Jacob Butcher drove in three runs.

Ross earned the win on the mound, fanned six over five innings of work.