MUCH IMPROVED: 3rd-year Palmer legion program continues to progress

PALMER — The Palmer Pioneers are only 10 games into the 2017 season, but head coach Tim Rockey already knows something about his team, a third-year Alaska American Legion program.

“We’re not going to be the 4-24 Palmer Pioneers again,” Rockey said recently, referring to his club’s 2016 record.

The Pioneers are 3-7 in their first 10. But Rockey said there is much more that’s positive to focus on, than the win-loss record.

“It’s not going to be a worst-to-first story, but we have improved so much from last year,” Rockey said.

Last year, at points during the season, Palmer struggled to fill the lineup card. This year, Rockey has a steady group of 17 in the dugout.

“We had to make cuts. It wasn’t something I even dreamed of last year,” Rockey said.

Ultimately, Rockey hopes to keep enough players on the field to add a junior varsity squad. In the meantime the second-year head coach said he’s happy with the progress of his club. Rockey said he has a number of players who lead in different ways. The list includes shortstop Kolten Ketchum, catcher Joe Ryan and outfielder Aaron Christiansen. Rockey said Ketchum and Christiansen lead by example and Ryan is a vocal leader.

Rockey also has veterans Austin Reeder and Damien Bailey back on the squad.

Rockey also noted James Nelson, who started the season as one of the top hitters on the squad. Alasdair McKechnie is also stepping up, Rockey said. In addition to the veterans, Rockey has younger players who have added to the lineup. Kaden Ketchum and Ben Alley have both emerged for the Pioneers.

“We have things that a lot of good teams have,” Rockey said. “The kids play defense very well. A lot of the kids are very versatile.”

Rockey said the Pioneers are missing the departure of veteran Cooper McLaughlin, who played his final year of American legion last summer.

“He was a big piece of our batting order, and our No. 1 pitcher,” Rockey said.

Rockey said the Pioneers are still in search of a clear No. 1 on the pitching staff.

“We have a bunch of guys who do well on the mound, but nobody has really emerged as the ace,” Rockey said.

As the Pioneers continue through their season, Rockey continues to be happy with his team’s progress and effort.

“I’m very pleased with the attitudes of the kids,” Rockey said. “I’ve got a lot of kids doing a lot of improving over the course of the season.”

The Pioneers continue their 2017 season with the Todd Ryan Memorial, which starts Friday. The Pioneers play Napoleon (Ohio) Friday at 3 p.m. and Fairbanks 11 at 6. Both games are at Bartlett High School.

Wasilla, the host of the tournament, is also playing a pair of games Friday at Wasilla High. The Road Warriors face Fairbanks 30 at 3 p.m. and Walla Walla (Washington) at 6.

The tournament continues through Sunday at Wasilla High. Games Saturday are determined based on Friday’s results, and are slated for noon, 3 and 6 p.m. at WHS.

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