Pioneers, Road Warriors grab first American Legion wins of season

PALMER — The Palmer Pioneers bounced back and split a doubleheader with the Kenai Twins during American Legion baseball action Sunday afternoon in Palmer.

Luke Guggenmos and Kaden Ketchum drove in three runs each to lead Palmer to a 10-7 win over the Twins. Kenai opened the doubleheader earlier in the day with a 12-2 victory over the Pioneers. Kenai’s win counts in the league standings. Palmer’s victory came in nonleague play.

James Nelson and Jeremy Allen both scored twice to help Palmer (1-2) earn its first victory of the summer. Palmer opened its season with a 6-3 loss against Eagle River on Friday.

Palmer erupted for five runs in the first inning. Nelson drew a leadoff walk and quickly scored on a Guggenmos single to give the Pioneers the early lead. Ketchum followed with a single that scored Guggenmos. Later in the inning, Ketchum scored on a Kenai error to give Palmer the 3-0 lead. Skyler Hale, pinch-running for Carson McLaughlin scored on a Allen single. Allen scored late in the inning to give Palmer the 5-0 lead.

Kenai pieced together runs in each of the first four innings, and took a 7-6 lead with three runs in the fourth.

In the bottom of the inning, Zach Satterly singled and scored on a fielder’s choice to tie the game at 7. Palmer took the lead again with three in the fifth.

Allen scored the go-ahead run on a balk.

Road Warriors start season 2-0

The Wasilla Road Warriors opened their season with a 14-4 win over East Anchorage Friday night at Wasilla High School.

The victory included an eight-run fifth inning for the Warriors. Jimmy Arend and Jacob Gilbert each finished 3 of 4 at the plate with four RBI. Gilbert also scored three runs. Kendell Ruta, Clancey O’Donnell and Balau Buckmaster added two runs each. Taylon Ottinger drove in two runs.

Wasilla collected 15 hits in the victory. East finished with five hits, and committed seven errors.

Gilbert allowed only two hits over four innings, and earned the win on the mound.

Wasilla followed with an 11-4 win over Bartlett on Sunday at Wasilla High.

Arend and Max Wasner finished with two RBI each. Arend, Kyle Graham and Clayton Boyett scored two runs each. Eight different Warriors scored a run.

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