Miners feel optimistic about 2021 squad

PALMER — After an 0-2 start, the Mat-Su Miners are 5-2 in their last seven games. Two weeks into the Alaska Baseball League summer season, the Miners are feeling optimistic about the 2021 squad.

“I think we’re on the right path,” Miners head coach Tyler LeBrun said.

LeBrun said he has seen good things from his pitching staff and hitters, and defensively the Miners are improving.

“I’m pleased with where we are at,” LeBrun said.

After allowing a combined 24 runs during the 1-2 start, Mat-Su has allowed 13 in its last six and has lowered the team earned run average to 3.30.

“On the pitching side we are trending in the right direction,” LeBrun said.

The Miners recently enjoyed a four-game stretch at Hermon Brothers Field in which the Miners starting pitchers didn’t allow a run.

“Everyone is on their second, coming up on their third start of the summer,” LeBrun said of the starters. “We’re attacking hitters now.”

LeBrun said the bullpen is also coming together. ABL veteran Evan Floyd is in the setup role, and Texas A&M product Alex Magers appears to be the team’s closer.

“We’re pretty much set with what we want,” LeBrun said. “The back end of the bullpen is pretty much set up.”

Overall, pitching was a big part of a recent four-game winning streak.

“Our pitching staff really just bought in,” LeBrun said. “They’re starting to compete more in the zone and give us a chance to play defense behind them.”

LeBrun said the defense is also improving. A big reason for that, he said, is the Miners are finally at full strength. Mat-Su had players competing in both the Division I and Division II postseason, and athletes have been trickling in for the last two weeks. As the Miners waited on certain players to arrive, they had to get creative with the lineup.

“We had guys playing out of position, but now we’ve got the guys where we want,” LeBrun said. “We’ll have the defense set the way we want, so we think the defensive miscues will go away.”

LeBrun said the Miners are also optimistic about the offense, even though they think they have the ability to produce more runs.

“We’re absolutely scolding balls, hitting balls hard but right at guys,” LeBrun said. “We haven’t had a lot of timely hitting yet, but I’m not worried about that. I think that will come along just fine.”

The Miners do lead the league in a handful of statistical categories. Casey Rother leads the ABL with a .441 batting average.

“That kid can absolutely swing a stick,” LeBrun said.

Rother also leads the league with 15 hits, eight runs and six doubles, as of Thursday.

Kevin Nakmura leads the ABL with eight RBI and Nick Cirelli is in a three-way tie for first with two home runs.

The Miners are currently on their longest stretch away from Hermon Brothers of the season. The Miners will play seven straight road games, which includes a five-day stay in Kenai to play the Peninsula Oilers.

“Kenai’s always a fun trip. It’s nice to go down there, especially in the early part of the year,” LeBrun said. “We usually come out playing good baseball because the guys are starting to mesh a little bit more. That’s why I like this trip early in the year.”

The Miners are in Kenai June 19-23 and are back at Hermon Brothers to host the Anchorage Glacier Pliots on June 26.

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