Moose finish fourth in Division II state tourney, Knights fifth in DI bracket

Palmer had a rough start in the Division II state tourney, but bounced back to cap the season with a pair of wins.

The Moose notched fourth place in the ASAA/First National Bank Division II State Baseball Championships with a 15-7 win over Petersburg Saturday at Wasilla High School.

Reed Craner tossed a six-inning complete game and earned the win on the mound. Craner fanned seven.

Craner also helped lead the Moose offense with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored. Landon Litzman, Chad Landon and Conner VanAusdal also drove in two runs each. Five different Palmer players scored two runs each.

Palmer advanced to the fourth-place game with a 12-9 victory over Valley rival Houston. The Moose trailed 7-2 early, but rallied with a combined seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Levi Patton-Meyer was 4 for 4 at the plate, with four runs and two RBI to lead the Moose. Stuart McQuillian drove in three runs. Craner and Landon scored twice.

Carter Seime was 2 for 4 for the Hawks, with two runs and three RBI.

Soldotna held on to beat Palmer 12-9 in the quarterfinals.

SoHi beat Peninsula rival Kenai to win the DII state title.

Colony was forced to settle for a fifth-place finish in the Division I tournament. Chugiak beat the Knights 7-2 in the ASAA/First National Bank Division I State Baseball Championships Saturday in Sitka.

Jaren Venie finished with two of Colony’s three hits in the loss.

Colony opened with a 9-1 win over Juneau-Douglas in the quarterfinals. Braydon Parrent led the Knights with a home run, and finished with two hits, two runs and three RBI. Nate Wilson also drove in two runs.

South Anchorage scored a 5-1 win over Colony in the semifinals.

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