Miners grab win over Panners

PALMER — It’s been a frustrating few weeks for the Mat-Su Miners. But finally, everything came together Tuesday night at Hermon Brothers Field.

With timely hitting, aggressive base running and stellar pitching, the Miners posted a 4-1 win over the Alaska Goldpanners.

Starter Jake Long pitched a great six innings and outfielder Clint Freeman finished 3 for 3 at the plate to help the Miners grab the win and snap a three-game losing skid.

“Things haven’t been going our way, but the baseball gods might be changing their mind,” Mat-Su first baseman Branden Berry said of the Miners, who are 3-7 in their last 10. “If we can keep it going, it would be nice.”

Mat-Su continued to hit the ball, as the Miners have throughout the season. But the Miners also had strong pitching. Long allowed only three hits and walked just one hitter through six. He fanned seven and retired the side during the fourth, fith and sixth. Andrew McGee an impressive outing against the Peninsula Oilers Sunday with three good innings.

The Miners also executed, laying down bunts, advancing runners and stealing bases.

“We finally did the little things right,” Head coach Chris Gordon said. “We finally did the little things right. We finally got some bunts down, got some two-out RBIs. We put together some great at-bats. Obviously our starting pitching was great.”

It was a key win for the Miners, who continue the homestand and four-game set with the Panners with a July 4 doubleheader.