Palmer to play in a state baseball title game for the first time in school history

In the third, the Soldotna Stars singled, doubled and drew a walk to start the bottom of the inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, Palmer head coach Dave Combs made a trip to the mound to chat with his standout starter, Landon Guggenmos.

Apparently the message was received.

Guggenmos fanned the next three Soldotna hitters to get out of them jam, and continued on to pitch a complete game and help the Moose earn a spot in a state baseball title game for the first time in school history, Guggenmos scattered six hits over seven innings and fanned 13 during Palmer’s 7-1 win over the Stars in the ASAA/First National Bank Division II State Championship semifinals Friday night at Wasilla High School.

“I wasn’t going to let him go through the motions and not go to his capabilities,” Combs said of his visit on the mound with his starter. “He threw another eight miles an hour after. He took it to a new level.”

That new level helped move the Moose into the Division II state title game, where they will play Southcentral Conference rival Kodiak Saturday at 3 p.m. Palmer edged the Bears 8-7 last weekend in the conference championship.

This is the first year ASAA is hosting both a Division I and Division II state tournament. Heading into the season, Combs said he felt his club would be in the mix.

“I felt like I had enough to be good. I didn’t know it was going to be this good,” Combs said.

Guggenmos also helped the Moose at the plate. He was 2 for 2 with a run scored. Dylan Garrettson and Landon Kitzman drove in two runs each. Owen Hayes finished with a hit, run and RBI.

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