Pioneers make state tournament

ANCHORAGE — The Post 15 Palmer Pioneers will play in the team’s second state tournament later this week since the team was revived in 2016. Prior to the start of the Alaska Legion Baseball State and Matson Invitational Tournaments this weekend, a group of Valley ballplayers were honored as Legion All-Stars. The American Division All-Stars will play the National Division All-Stars at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Mulcahy Stadium.

Palmer pitcher Jason Gunderson will join infielder Kaden Ketchum and shortstop Evan Walker on the American squad. The Post 35 Wasilla Road Warriors will send pitcher Dayton Greer and outfielders Jacob Hansen and Byson Malave to play for the National Division team.

As an eight seed, Palmer will then take on four seed Dimond in a first-round matchup in their first state tournament appearance since 2019 on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Mulcahy Stadium. Palmer compiled an 8-8 league record during the regular season and went 14-12 overall. During the 2020 Alliance for Legion Baseball season, Palmer won the Matson Invitational Tournament. Post Manager Matt Ketchum said that he sat down with a group of his team leaders at the beginning of the season and set goals for the year, chief among them being to qualify for the state tournament.

“Pitching is our strength actually. When our offense is together we’re extremely good but pitching is a strength,” said Ketchum.

The Post 35 Wasilla Road Warriors will snap their streak of consecutive state-title game appearances at two after an injury-plagued season. The Road Warriors compiled 31 points with a 5-11 league record and went 9-15 overall, and will play Bartlett at Bartlett High School at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday.

[Editor's note: A previous version of this article stated that the Pioneers were making their first state tournament since the program was restarted. The Pioneers qualified for the state tournament in 2019 under then head coach Matt McLaughlin.]