HEAD Road Warriors return from Oregon

The Alaska Road Warriors are living up to their team name already this season.

The Road Warriors returned from a 10-day road trip that involved more air miles than road miles and one hectic schedule.

The American Legion baseball team played nine games in 10 days, finishing with four victories and five losses. The trip opened the season for the squad.

Well, we won a few games and lost a few games and played some good baseball, manager Pete Powell said. The trip is always a good one because you see some tough teams.

The Road Warriors make the trip every year to get ready for the Alaska season.

This year, pitching proved to be key as the team found itself in several close ball games during the Pendelton, Ore. tournament.

The team opened with a 2-1 victory over Pendelton, the host team, before falling to Vancouver 3-1. Vancouver is a team based near Portland, Ore.

In the double-elimination tournament, the Road Warriors were sent packing by Walla Walla, Wash.

Walla Walla downed the Road Warriors 9-8 in the consolation bracket to advance and eliminate the Valley team. The Road Warriors took fifth place in the tourney.

The tournament included games every day, and it gave experience to Powells pitching staff.

When you get that many games nine of them in 10 days pretty much everybody on the diamond has to come in to pitch a few innings, Powell said. Everyone gets some work.

After the tournament, the Road Warriors hit the road to Washington to play five more games before arriving back in Wasilla Saturday morning a tired but successful bunch.

The team was scheduled to open its Alaska season Sunday at Bumpus Ballfields in Wasilla with a doubleheader, but Mother Nature had other ideas and the games were rained out.

The Road Warriors are scheduled to play their first home game of the year against Service tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Bumpus Ballfields.

Service is one of the top American Legion teams in the state this year. Photo:Amy Ditton fires at a target during the Alaska Ladies Shotgun Classic. Ditton won the AA class and was third with her partner in the Couples Cup.