Mat-Su splits second doubleheader on the Peninsula

KENAI -- High spirits from a 7-6 win gradually morphed into gloom for the Mat-Su Miners with a 5-0 loss to the Oilers in the second leg of the Wednesday doubleheader.

Wind and rain rocked the Kenai Peninsula from Sunday to Tuesday morning, causing the contests on Sunday and Monday to be rescheduled into seven inning doubleheaders on Tuesday and Wednesday.

After sweeping the Tuesday affairs, Wednesday started off in favor of Mat-Su. A pair of errors in the third inning of game one brought Miners third baseman Kaleb Hannahs around to score, but a Kenai double followed by a ground out and sacrifice fly tied the game for the home squad.

M’s first baseman Cooper Vest broke the game open with a three-run blast in the fifth inning, elevating the Mat-Su lead to 4-1. The Miners added on three more runs in the seventh.

M’s closer Will Rizzo faced his first real challenge of the season, allowing his first earned run in the bottom of the seventh. The Oilers put the tying run on first base after starting the frame down 7-3, but a double-play put game one in the Miners’ back pocket.

Game two was all Oilers. Shortstop Owen McElfatrick sliced a cheap leadoff double to start the bottom of the first, scoring two plays later.

That might as well have been it because the Miners failed to score in the second contest.

Peninsula right-hander Mose Hayes struck out seven batter in 4.2 shutout innings allowing just two hits.

Eventually the rain returned in a big way, causing the game to end in the top of the sixth inning.

The Miners and the Oilers return to form on Thursday for a full nine-inning affair with a 6 p.m. first pitch.