Miners start longest road trip of season

Frontiersman

FAIRBANKS - The annual trip to the Interior - it might not be a highlight, but annually it's a key portion of the Mat-Su Miners' schedule.

Or key chunk, rather.

The Miners boarded the bus at 7 a.m. Thursday to embark on their six-day, seven-game stay in Fairbanks.

Mat-Su started a three-game series against Athletes in Action Thursday evening, and will play a four-game set against the Alaska Goldpanners, starting Sunday.

While the trip north each year always seems to factor into whether or not the Miners will contend for the Alaska Baseball League title, more importantly, Mat-Su head coach Matt Dorey feels this trip is essential as the Miners growth as a team.

‘These road trips sometimes kind of shape and mold your character,” Dorey said. &#8220I'm looking forward to this road trip actually. Usually you don't say that.”

The Miners' season is far different from what most college players come to see as normal. Mat-Su plays 18 games away from the friendly confines of Hermon Brothers Field, but more than half of those games are in Anchorage - a short drive away from Mat-Su's home park. There are only two significant road trips on the schedule - the Miners trek to Fairbanks, and a four-day trip to the Kenai Peninsula in July.

&#8220It's different for these guys. Usually you're on the road every other week,” Dorey said.

Last season the Miners were 4-3 in seven games in the Interior. Mat-Su swept AIA in a three-game set. But Alaska took 3-of-4 from the Miners.

The Goldpanners have had the edge over Mat-Su in the last several years. In the last 10 games, Mat-Su is 1-9 against Alaska.

The Miners return to Hermon Brothers July 6 to host the Anchorage Glacier Pilots. That is the first of 11-straight games in Palmer. That blocked is capped with a double-header against the Panners on July 16.

Miner notes … Mat-Su is in search of another catcher. General manager Pete Christopher said Wednesday, Lower Columbia College sophomore Tony Jones is injured and done for the summer. Jones replaced California junior Travis Howell on the roster. Howell opted to stay in school for the summer semester … Matt Bransfield, an All-ABL selection last season, was recently signed by the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League … Alex Trafton, another All-ABL pick last season, was signed earlier this month by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays … The Miners have rescheduled a pair of games that were postponed because of rain. Mat-Su's contest against the Glacier Pilots and MTA Day at the Park is now on July 10. Mat-Su's game against the Goldpanners and Grandview Inn and Suites Day at the Park is now July 29 at 5 p.m. … Mat-Su now has two more pitchers at its disposal. Oregon State hurlers Mark Grbavac and Daniel Turpen have joined the team.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.