Pioneers score first win over rival Warriors

WASILLA — The Palmer Pioneers made program history Thursday night.

Palmer, a fourth-year American Legion baseball squad, scored its first win over its chief rival, the Wasilla Road Warriors. The Pioneers posted a 10-3 victory over the Warriors during the first day of the Todd Ryan Memorial at Wasilla High School.

“It felt great,” Pioneers infielder Trace Severson said. “Few years coming.”

Severson is one of five players in their third year with the program. Severson, Kolten Ketchum, Joe Ryan, Zach Satterly and Alasdair McKechnie have been part of the growing pains as the Pioneers staff continues to try to build American Legion baseball on the Palmer side of the Valley.

“It was hard,” Severson said.

But Severson, a Colony High School standout, said battling adversity in prior years has helped the Pioneers improve as a program. Beating Wasilla for the first time was a goal, but Severson said the Pioneers are focused on something bigger.

“We want to make the state tournament,” Severson said.

There are 16 American Legion teams in Alaska. Eight make the state tournament.

Severson said the veteran presence in the dugout is a big difference for the Palmer post.

“We’re older. We’ve known each other for a long time,” Severson said. “We’ve come together as a team.”

Every player in the starting lineup finished with at least a hit in the win.

“All nine hitters can hit,” Severson said.

Satterly and James Nelson led the Pioneers with three hits each in the win. Nelson had three runs and Satterly scored twice. Jeremy Allen drove in a team-high four runs.

Severson earned the win on the mound, scattering seven hits and an earned run over six innings.

Jimmy Arend and Dawson White led the Warriors with two hits each. White drove in two runs.

Minnesota squad sweeps Valley teams

Excelsior, a squad from Minnesota, scored a pair of wins over Valley teams during the second day of the Todd Ryan Memorial.

Two Excelsior pitchers combined to throw a two-hitter during a 9-2 win over Wasilla. Earlier in the day the Minnesota team beat Palmer 13-1.

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