Road Warriors excited about potential for success this summer

WASILLA — The Alaska Road Warriors have enjoyed a solid start to their summer season. The Wasilla-based American Legion squad sits at the top of the American Division standings with a 4-0 record. The Warriors scored weekend wins over two of the top three teams in the division (Service and Dimond) over the weekend, and are one of only two undefeated teams left in the state.

Wasilla beat Dimond 6-5 Friday and Service 5-4 on Saturday, earning both victories on the road.

The undefeated Road Warriors feature a collection of players with vast experience in the program that enjoyed great success in recent seasons.

The Road Warriors are a combined 30-10 in league play in the last three seasons. Wasilla finished first in the state standings during the regular season last season and finished tied for second in the league standings in 2012.

Myrl Thompson, who entered his fourth full year as the program’s head coach, said he has a well-rounded team again this year.

“We generally field the ball well. We’ve definitely got a good hitting lineup. The pitching should be pretty decent this year. We’re deep,” Thompson said.

Among the leaders on the 2014 squad is Jacob Butcher, who recently capped his freshman season at Blue Mountain Community College in Oregon.

The team also includes a handful of players who helped Wasilla High School win its first prep baseball region title in 13 seasons in 2014. Tyler Hansen, who was named the Southcentral Conference Player of the Year, leads that group, which also includes players such as Mitchell Chauvin, Nolan Monaghan, Blake Marks and Sam Loyer.

Ben Ross, Matt Palmer and Dalton McHugill are among the Colony High veterans on the Road Warriors squad.

Thompson said he has a number of starting pitchers that he can put on the mound. He noted McHugill, Butcher, Hansen, Monaghan and Chauvin. Ross is expected to see the bulk of his time and third base and first base. Chauvin, Palmer, Eric McEnnis and Josh Boyer should see time in the middle infield.

Thompson’s outfield should feature Hansen, Butcher and McHugill. Sam Loyer is Wasilla’s utility player, Thompson said. Jeffrey Forster is working behind the plate for the Road Warriors.

Participation within the program is down dramatically this year. The Road Warriors currently have 14 players on the roster, Thompson said. Last year, there were 34 players combined in a program that featured both a varsity and junior varsity team. The program will not field a junior varsity team this year.

Part of the reason for the decline is the addition of a second American Legion baseball team in the Valley, Thompson said. The Palmer Pioneers made their debut last Saturday. Palmer also carries only 14

players.

For more on the Pioneers see the related story on B1 or frontiersman.com/sports.

Wasilla 5, Service 4

ANCHORAGE — Wasilla improved to 4-0 with a 5-4 win over Service at Bartlett High School on Saturday.

Dalton McHugill earned the win on the mound, scattering four hits over seven innings. McHugill fanned nine and walked only two. Tyler Hansen pitched the final two innings to record the save. Hansen struck out three batters.

Eric McEnnis led the Warriors at the plate, finishing 2 for 4 with an RBI. Jeffrey Forster was 1 for 2 with a double and two RBI. Jacob Butcher was 1 for 2, with a double and an

RBI.