Miners keep ABL race tight

KENAI -- The Mat-Su Miners are even with the Peninsula Oilers after the first two games of a crucial three-game set in Kenai this week.

After scoring an 11-5 win over the Oilers on Tuesday and briefly moving within one game of first-place Peninsula, the Oilers moved back to a pair of games ahead of Mat-Su with a 4-2 win over the Miners.

As of press time Thursday, the Oilers stand at 17-10 and in sole possession of first place. Mat-Su (14-11) is two games behind Peninsula and a game behind the second-place Alaska Goldpanners. Results of the final game of series against the Oilers was not available prior to press time.

Josh Satin notched three hits and hit his fourth home run of the season to lead the Miners to a win on Tuesday. Satin, a University of California freshman, scored four runs and drove in four runs.

"The games against Kenai pretty much make or break our season," Satin said.

Zeke Parraz, John Hester and Billy Munich also drove in runs for the Miners.

Ryan Edell picked up his fourth win in relief. After replacing starter Chris Malone on the mound, Edell struck out seven hitters in just more than three innings of work.

Wednesday, former Miner Matt Eichel drove in a run to lead Peninsula to a 4-2 win over the Miners. Eichel, a member of the 2003 Miner squad, drove in Patrick Rooney on his lone hit to give the Oilers the lead permanently.

Nathan Faulkner clubbed a home run for Peninsula in the contest.

Kevin Tomasiewicz was tagged with the loss after allowing seven hits and three runs in just more than five innings of work. Brian Shultz struck out six and earned the win for the Oilers.