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ANCHORAGE — The Mat-Su Miners could be just a few wins away from clinching the Alaska Baseball League National Division title and a spot in the league’s championship, the ABL Top of the World Series. But Sunday, the Miners took a break from their pennant chase as 15 Mat-Su players and three coaches represented the Valley team in the ABL All-Star Game at Mulchay Stadium in Anchorage.
“It’s fun for the kids to get a bit of a breather before we load up for the back end (of the season),” Mat-Su head coach Ben Taylor said after the ABL American Division beat the National Division 4-0.
Pitchers Zach Warren, Eli Morgan, Kyle Simonds, Corbin Martin, James Harrington, Calvin LeBrun and Brigham Hill; catcher Matt Diorio; infielders Nyles Nygaard, Tyler Wolfe and Tanner Nishioka; outfielders Alex Caruos, Vance Vizcaino and Chris Hall; and Mat-Su’s two-way standout, pitcher and outfielder, Brick Paskiewicz were all named to the ABL National Division team. Harrington, LeBrun and Hill were not available to pitch, but were recognized recognized.
Miners players finished with four of the National Division’s five hits in the loss. Shorstop Tyler Wolfe led the National Division, finishing 2 for 3 at the plate, with a pair of singles.
“He’s done a really good job for like the last month,” Taylor said of Wolfe, who recently finished his junior season at Kansas State. “He’s playing like a really good veteran.”
Mat-Su infielder Tanner Nishioka and Miners outfielder Alex Caruso each had a single. Nishioka also stole a base.
Morgan earned the start on the mound for the National Division. Simonds pitched in the fifth. Warren worked a perfect sixth inning. Martin and Paskiewicz also saw time on the mound late.
“I’m really proud of the guys. They played really hard, showed off their skills really well,” Taylor said. “It was a fun day for them.”
The National Division team featured players from the Miners, Anchorage Glacier Pilots and Chugiak Chinooks. Mat-Su led the National Division with 15 players on the team. Taylor served as skipper of the team. Miners assistants Matt Greely and Sean Winston also served on the all-star coaching staff.
Zane Gurwitz of the Anchorage Bucs was named the ABL All-Star Game MVP. Gurwitz doubled and scored on a single by Ted Boeke of the Peninsula Oilers to give the American Division a 1-0 lead in the first. Gurwitz used another double in the fifth to drive in a run and give his team a 3-0 lead.
Mat-Su (26-8 overall, 23-7 in the ABL) returns to league play tonight, starting a three-game road series against the Alaska Goldpanners at Growden Park in Fairbanks. The Miners return home Friday to host the Chugiak Chinooks at 6 p.m. at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer. Friday’s game marks the start of a six-game homestand.
As of Monday night, first-place Mat-Su held an 8.5-game lead over the Glacier Pilots in the National Division standings.
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