Long ball leads Miners

ANCHORAGE -- What is it about the Mat-Su Miners at Mulcahy Stadium? Is it the hint of saltwater from the nearby ocean in the air? Does the little bit of Anchorage smog remind some players of big city life back home? Are they excited because the only Hooters restaurant in Alaska is just minutes away?

Whatever the reason, the Miners have a home away from home at Mulcahy Stadium. Mat-Su continued to hammer the ball and opponents at the Anchorage field, adding a 9-4 win over the Anchorage Bucs on Sunday.

Chris Errecart and Scott Simon each hit home runs and Errecart, Simon and Josh Satin each drove in multiple runs to lead Mat-Su to the win. Errecart launched a missile that landed closer to nearby Anchorage Football Stadium than the Mulcahy left field wall. The three-run dinger gave the Miners a 9-4 advantage in the eighth inning.

Simon punched a 340-foot solo shot over the right field wall in the top of the seventh.

Though Mulcahy has been kind to many of the Miner hitters, it may be Satin that has the fondest memories of the Anchorage ballpark. The University of California freshman is hitting .640 with eight RBI, in just six games at Mulcahy.

"I love hitting here," Satin said. "I feel like if I hit the ball hard, it's going to be a hit."

Satin has hit safely in each of his six games at Mulcahy and has two home runs, two doubles and a triple at the park.

"The ball jumps out of here," Satin said.

With Mat-Su trailing 2-0, Satin sparked a four-run fifth inning to launch the Miners into the lead. After Simon drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, Satin doubled to right field to score Zeke Parraz and Errecart. Matt Edwards followed with a chopping RBI single over the head of Buc shortstop Joey Wilson. The play scored Satin.

Ryan Edell earned the win in relief for Mat-Su. Edell scored his third win of the summer after allowing three hits and two earned runs in just less than three innings pitched.

B.J. Church, in his last appearance in a Miner uniform this season, got the start for Miners. Church, who is leaving early this week to attend to a family emergency, struggled in three innings of work. The Middle Tennessee State University junior allowed just two hits, but walked for Buc hitters. Twice, Church walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the third. Defense got Church out of the first jam, with Satin turning an unassisted double play with three on and no outs. With two outs and the bases juiced, Church was able to retire Bret Bergland.

The Miners improved to 4-2 at Mulcahy Stadium and 5-1 against the Bucs. The Miners have had little trouble against Anchorage, dropping only a 6-3 decision against the Bucs at Mulcahy on June 24.

"Success breeds confidence," Satin said.