Miners rebound, jump back into 1st place

PALMER — A pair of Gonzaga products helped the Mat-Su Miners jump back into first place in the Alaska Baseball League.

Pitcher Calvin LeBrun pitched seven strong innings and infielder Nick Brooks was a homer shy of the cycle as the Miners scored a 9-6 win over the Anchorage Glacier Pilots Tuesday night at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

LeBrun, pitching in his second season in the ABL in the last three years, scattered seven hits and one earned run over seven innings, while striking out three and walking three. Brooks led Mat-Su at the plate, finishing 4 of 5 with three extra base hits. Brooks collected his first triple in the year, and doubled twice. He drove in two and scored three times. His effort came a night after Brooks hit an inside-the-park home run during a loss to the Anchorage Bucs. Tuesday’s win also allowed the Miners to bounce back from a tough 6-2 loss to the Bucs Monday night. The Bucs improved to 5-0 this summer against Mat-Su and knocked the Miners out of first place for the first time this season. Mat-Su spent only about 24 hours in second place. Tuesday’s win over the Pilots combined with a Chugiak-Eagle River’s 4-3 win over the Bucs Tuesday night pushed Mat-Su (12-7) back into first place, a half-game ahead of the Bucs (11-7).

Leadoff hitter Quinn Cotton added two hits and two runs for the Miners. Blake Benefield drove in two. Andy Thomas, Oscar Marchina, Zack Sharpley and Mike Antico also had an RBI each.

Mat-Su scored a quick run in the first, and built a 5-0 lead in the third inning. The Miners added three runs in the third. Five of Anchorage’s six runs came of Mat-Su relievers in the ninth.

Mat-Su stays on the road and will face Chugiak-Eagle River Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Lee Jordan Field in Chugiak. The Miners are back at Hermon Brothers Thursday night, hosting the Pilots at 7 p.m.