Miners enjoy scoring surge during road trip

PALMER — The Mat-Su Miners have arguably been best known this summer for their Alaska Baseball League-low 2.28 team earned run average. But in the last 10 days, it’s the Mat-Su bats that are drawing attention.

Wednesday, Mat-Su bashed the Anchorage Glacier Pilots 12-1 at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage, marking the seventh time in the last eight games in which the Miners scored at least seven runs in a game.

“These guys are doing a good job keeping their swings short and working on their craft,” Mat-Su head coach Ben Taylor said in a press release issued by the team following Wednesday’s victory.

Mat-Su is 7-1 in its last eight, dating back to July 11, outscoring opponents 57-20. Entering a home game against the Pilots Thursday night at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer, the Miners held a 20-12 league mark, and a 2 ½ game lead over the Peninsula Oilers (16-13) at the top of the ABL standings. Results of Thursday’s match were not available prior to press time.

Mat-Su used a seven-run third inning to post the big win over the Pilots Wednesday. Andy Cosgrove singled, Cam Montgomery double and Brooks Stotler tripled, and all drove in runs, during the third.

Montgomery finished with a pair of doubles, and drove in a game-high four in the win.

“I think I got into a grove during the three exhibition games and the ABL Home Run Derby, and carried it into today,” Montgomery said in the release.

Sunday, Montgomery became the third Miner in team history to win the ABL’s annual home run event, knocking 33 out of the park at Mulcahy Stadium.

Michael Donadio had a team-high three hits for the Miners. Montgomery, Cosgrove, Stotler, AJ Lee and Levi Jordan finished with two each. Jordan scored a game-high three runs.

Connor Higgens earned the win on the mound, scattering six hits and an earned run over five innings. He fanned five and walked two.

The win over Anchorage Wednesday followed Mat-Su’s 9-0 shutout of Chugiak at Lee Jordan Field. Cody Deason worked eight strong innings, allowing seven hits and fanning five. Mick Vorhof pitched the ninth to keep the shuout intact for Mat-Su.

Donadio and Garrison Schwartz each tripled during the victory over the Chinooks. Lee finished 4 for 5 from the lead-off spot, and scored a pair of runs. Schwartz added three of Mat-Su’s 15 hits in the game.

Mat-Su also scored a 6-2 road win over Chugiak on Tuesday.

Zach Sharpley finished 3 for 4 with two runs scored to lead the Miners. Stotler added two hits and two runs. Lee drove in a pair for the Miners.

Stephen Kolek worked eight innings for the Miners, allowing five hits and two earned runs, while striking out six and walking four.

After an off day Friday, Mat-Su starts a stretch in which it plays eight of its final 10 regular season games at home. The Miners host the Anchorage Bucs Saturday at 6 p.m. at Hermon Brothers Field.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.