Top-seeded Road Warriors begin state play today

WASILLA — On paper, the Alaska Road Warriors could be as talented as any team in the state this year. The Wasilla-based squad showed that by earning the top seed in the state tournament. But today, the Warriors will begin their quest for the ultimate proof — a state title — as they open play against Bartlett at 6 p.m. during the second day of the American Legion Alaska State Tournament at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage.

“This team is pretty good. It’s kind of the most rounded team I’ve been associated with,” said head coach Myrl Thompson, who took over the team midway through the 2011 season.

Wasilla has done well in state tourney play in recent years, which includes a runner-up finish in 2010. Thompson’s squad has been able to hit throughout the order and has shown depth on the mound. Thompson said he just hopes that continues to be true through the weeklong state event.

“Hopefully we can keep hitting like we have been,” Thompson said. “We’ve had decent pitching and the fielding’s been pretty steady.”

The Warriors have an army of arms Thompson can put on the mound. That group includes the likes of Jonathon Boyer, Jacob Butcher and Shane Andrews. Dalton McHugill and Tyler Boensch add depth to the staff.

Infielders Russ Ruta, Boyer and Ben Ross; outfielders Cooper Hanson and Butcher; and catcher Morgan McJimsey have led the Warriors in the lineup and field.

Thompson said he likes his squad’s position in the bracket. The Warriors, one of two teams with a day-one bye. With a win over the Golden Bears today, the Warriors would move forward to face Chugiak Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the championship quarterfinals. A loss would drop the Warriors into the losers bracket and a game Monday at 1 p.m.

“It’s looking pretty good as far as the bracket,” Thompson said. “It’s pretty nice for us. All we’ve got to do is do our job and win.”

Wasilla’s shortest route to a championship would be through the quarterfinals on Saturday, the semifinals on Tuesday and finally to the title game Thursday at 1 p.m. Teams with a single loss can also battle through a five-round losers bracket.

Bartlett moved into a match against Wasilla with a first-day win over Eagle River Thursday afternoon. Bartlett, sparked by a sixth-run seventh, beat Eagle River 11-9. Fairbanks, the bottom seed in the 10-team tournament, also upset Kenai 6-4 Thursday.