Road Warriors earn American Legion win over West

WASILLA — Despite a quick start, Wasilla needed a late push to score an American Legion win over West Anchorage Sunday afternoon.

The Road Warriors scored a combined five runs in the final two innings and grabbed a 10-6 win over the Eagles at Wasilla High School.

Wasilla led 8-6 in the sixth, but Ben Werner padded his team’s lead with a two-run single in the inning. Werner also scored on a West error later in the inning.

The Road Warriors jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first. Clayton Boyett led off the game with a double and scored on a Taylon Ottinger single. Ottinger scored on a West error to give Wasilla a 2-0 lead. Werner and Jimmy Arend each crossed the plate on another West error. Kyle Graham singled to drive in Kendell Ruta, and collect Wasilla’s fifth run of the game.

West was able to score runs in four consecutive innings, and cut Wasilla’s lead to 8-6 in the fifth.

Werner, Arend and Ruta drove in two runs each in the win. The top four hitters in the lineup scored two runs each.

Wasilla improved to 4-1 with the win.

Wednesday, the Wasilla Road Warriors suffered their first loss of the American Legion summer season. It didn’t take long for Post 35 to bounce back.

Three Road Warrior pitchers combined to toss a two-hit shutout as Wasilla blasted Eagle River 13-0 Thursday night at Loretta French Field in Chugiak.

Wasilla scored in each frame of the five-inning mercy rule win, including five runs in the fourth. Seven different Warriors scored a run, and five scored twice in the win. Balau Buckmaster led Wasilla with three RBI. Ben Werner finished 3 of 4, with two RBI and two runs scored. Jacob Gilbert scored twice and drove in two runs.

Buckmaster, Clayton Boyett and Nolan Murphy all pitched for the Warriors.

Wasilla improved to 3-1 with the victory. South handed Wasilla its first loss of the summer the night before.

Eagles blank Pioneers

Leland Wilson tossed a three-hit complete game shutout and led West to a 4-0 win over Palmer Saturday in Anchorage.

Kaden Ketchum, Carson McLaughlin and Zach Satterly finished with a hit each for Palmer.

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