Road Warriors post split with Kenai

WASILLA - The Alaska Road Warriors needed to sweep Kenai in an American Legion doubleheader Wednesday at Lou McManus Field in Wasilla to swipe the top seed in next week's district tournament. But the Twins proved spoilers, squeezing out a win with a rare walk-off bunt to force the doubleheader split.

Kenai catcher Ethan Waters laid a bunt down the first base line to push Jordan Walters, the go-ahead run, across the plate.

Walters' run gave the Twins a 10-9 lead, and a win in the first game of the doubleheader.

Alaska's Todd Loria pitched a two-hitter in the second game to lead the Warriors to a 5-1 win.

Alaska held a 9-8 lead going into the bottom half of the ninth inning. Although the game was played at the Road Warriors' home field, Kenai was recognized as the official home team on the master schedule.

Kevin Eppenhiemer and Walters posted consecutive hits off starter Mike Carlson early in the bottom of the ninth. Eppenhiemer scored on Walters' double to right field, and Walters advanced to third to set up the squeeze play.

Alaska head coach Steve Mossburgh said he had a feeling Kenai would use the squeeze late in the game. It's a play the Twins had run often in the past, he said.

The Twins squandered a six-run lead in the game. Kenai scored four runs in the fourth to take an 8-2 advantage. The Twins also scored four runs in the first inning.

Although there were a few rough innings early, Mossburgh said he was pleased to see his team continue to play.

&#8220The guys kept fighting back,” Mossburgh said. &#8220It was a good game. They didn't roll over and die.”

Alaska marched back into the contest with four runs in the sixth. David Doerr and Wes Smith each notched run-scoring singles in the inning. Another run scored when Josh Morlan reached on a Kenai error. And Morlan stole home Eppenhiemer, the Kenai pitcher, tried to catch Doerr midway between first and second.

With Doerr and first and Morlan at third, Doerr broke toward second base, stopping half way to the bag. Eppenhiemer fell for the move, a designed play by the Road Warriors, and as the Kenai pitcher made the move to the right side of the infield, Morlan sprinted toward home.

Adam Briceland tied the score in the ninth inning, driving in Tyler Eli on his drive to deep left centerfield. Alaska took the lead when Briceland scored on a Carl Brent single.

Loria pitched a seven-inning complete game to lead the Warriors to a win in the nightcap.

Alaska took an early 3-1 lead, and Loria cruised to the win.

&#8220He pitched really well,” Mossburgh said. &#8220He kept them off-balance throwing the offspeed stuff.”

Briceland and Mike Dotson doubled in the win. Eli posted a triple.

Alaska now owns the second seed in the three-team district tournament that starts Wednesday in Fairbanks. The Road Warriors play Fairbanks in the first round, Mossburgh said.

Each of the three teams in the district advance to the state tournament, slated to start Aug. 1 at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

Alaska's final regular season game is Saturday at 1 p.m. at McManus Field. The Road

Warriors host Service.