Road Warriors survive first-round scare

WASILLA — The Dimond Lynx gave top-seeded Wasilla a scare, but the Road Warriors found a way to move forward.

Wasilla scored twice in the sixth, and posted a 7-5 win over eighth-seeded Dimond during the first day of the Alaska Legion Baseball State Tournament Friday at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

With the game locked at 5 late, Jacob Gilbert scored on an error to provide the go-ahead run. Jacob Hansen gave the Warriors a bit of insurance, scoring on another error to give Wasilla the 7-5 lead.

Dimond jumped on Wasilla immediately, scoring four in the top of the first. The Warriors were able to produce a quick answer with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Dimond tied the score at 5 in the third.

Gilbert also came through for the Warriors on the mound, earning the win after pitching six innings of relief. Clayton Boyett notched the one-out save.

Taylon Ottinger was one of five different Warriors with a hit, and had an RBI. Gilbert scored two runs for Wasilla.

The Warriors will now move forward and face fifth-seeded South Anchorage Saturday at 6:15 p.m. during the second day of the tournament. South upset fourth-seeded Kenai 8-5.

Sixth-seeded Palmer opened the day with a 10-0 loss to third-seeded Chugiak. The Pioneers, who are in the state tournament for the first time in program history, will place seventh-seeded West Anchorage Saturday at 10 a.m.

The double-elimination tournament continues through Tuesday.

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