Miners snap losing skid with win over Bucs

PALMER — After managing a mere three combined runs in their last three outings, the Mat-Su Miners, carrying the weight of a four-game losing streak, felt they were due. And it didn’t take long Thursday for the Miners to come through.

Sparked by a five-run first, Mat-Su snapped its skid with an 8-5 victory over the Anchorage Bucs at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer.

“It felt great,” Miners infielder Tyler Bosetti said of Mat-Su’s big first inning after the win. “We haven’t scored in a while.”

Bosetti said Mat-Su’s eight-run, 10-hit night is exactly what the Miners needed.

“It really helps your confidence,” Bosetti said.

Bosetti said it takes a little bit of time to adjust to life in the Alaska Baseball League.

“It’s a new environment, new ballclub,” Bosetti said. “I think everyone’s trying to get comfortable with the situation.”

Bosetti said the Miners talked as a team after their fourth-straight loss, an extra-innings defeat to the Peninsula Oilers Wednesday night.

“We had a really good conversation with the team last night,” Bosetti said.

Miners head coach Ben Taylor said the coaching staff had a message for the squad after the loss to the Oilers Wednesday.

“I challenged them last night to come out a certain way and play a certain way, and they answered,” Taylor said. “They did some good things tonight.”

Taylor, who has led the Miners to back-to-back ABL titles, said he saw a difference.

“I just feels good to play like the Mat-Su Miners,” Taylor said.

Hunter Jump and David Avitia each used a two-run single to help the Miners leap to an early lead. Bosetti also drove in a first-inning run. Mat-Su finished with five hits, five runs and a walk during the opening frame.

Jump led the Miners with two hits and three RBI. Drew Swift also drove in a run. Spencer Henson and Bosetti both had doubles. Aaron Walters scored a team-best two runs.

“It was a great team win tonight,” Taylor said.

Nathan Bock earned the win on the mound in relief, after allowing just a hit and earned run over 2 1/3 inning of work. Bryce Tassin worked the final inning, fanned two of the three hitters he face and picked up his first save of the summer.

Mat-Su improved to 4-5 with the victory. The Miners continue their home stand Friday at 7 p.m. against Chugiak.

“Hopefully we can continue to keep the ship in the right direction,” Taylor said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.