Legion squad posts two wins in tournament

WASILLA - In seasons past, the Alaska Road Warriors have had a tendency to surge in the second half of the season. In some years, success in the Todd Ryan Memorial tournament has helped the cause.

Maybe the American Legion squad's play during the first two days of the four-game tourney is a sign of good things to come in the second half of the season.

The host Warriors, who entered their tournament at 6-5, scored wins over Bartlett and Service, and put themselves in a position to earn a spot in the Todd Ryan championship game.

The title game is slated for today at 4 p.m., while the consolation final is at 2.

Alaska topped Bartlett 5-2 on Friday, and edged Service 8-7 on Saturday.

&#8220We've been right there. Maybe this will shove us over the hump,” Road Warriors head coach Steve Mossburgh said.

Todd Loria pitched six strong innings to lead Alaska to the win over Service. The Alaska hurler struck out four in the win.

Palmer High School product Casey Smith and former Colony High standout Josh Morlan each posted three hits to lead the Alaska offense.

David Doerr, a PHS graduate, added a pair of hits.

The Smith and Morlan led Alaska offense built a 6-0 lead in the game.

Alaska had its top two starters pitching in the first two games of the tourney.

The Road Warriors' ace, Mike Carlson, earned the win over Bartlett.

Carlson, who will pitch for Odessa College in Texas next year, allowed only three hits and struck out four in the game.

Alaska scored four second-inning runs off starter Brandon Stephen to post the early lead over the Golden Bears.

Back-to-back singles by Chris Breck and Wes Smith followed consecutive Tyler Eli and Carl Brent walks. Before Bartlett was able to register an out in the inning, Alaska had the bases loaded and a two-run lead.

Breck popped a ball right between Bartlett's third baseman and shortstop. The hit rolled into left field and Eli scored.

Smith followed with a single, hitting the same hole on the left side of the diamond, and Breck scored.

Smith scored on a bases loaded walk to give Alaska the three-run advantage, and Morlan scored when Adam Briceland reached on a Bartlett error later in the inning.

Morlan scored for a second time in the sixth inning.

Both of Bartlett's runs were unearned. Nathan Ridley and Tim Twombly both reached on errors and scored.

Following the tourney, Alaska has one more home game - it hosts Bartlett Thursday night at 7 p.m. - before leaving for a three-game series in Fairbanks.

Alaska faces the Fairbanks 49ers in a doubleheader on July 8, and again on July 9.

The district tourney, which starts July 26, is also in Fairbanks.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.