Veteran smacks home run to lead Pioneers past Eagle River

PALMER — With runners on first and second, and the score tied at 8 in the bottom of the fifth inning against Eagle River, Palmer Pioneers head coach Tim Rockey knew his team was in dire need of a run. Rockey had one of his top veterans of the middle of the order at the plate, shortstop Kolten Ketchum, but opted for a bit of small ball.

Rockey gave the bunt signal twice, but Ketchum didn’t see a strike.

Small ball didn’t work. So Ketchum used the long ball.

Ketchum, an incoming senior at Colony High, belted a three-run homer to provide the go-ahead runs and lead the Pioneers to an 11-10 American Legion win over the Wolves at Palmer Senior Field Sunday afternoon.

“He timed it right. (He) got the middle of the ball with the middle of the bat,” Rockey said by phone Sunday evening. “It was absolutely what our team needed to get over that hump.”

With the victory, Palmer scored a win for the second time in as many days and improved to 7-16 overall. The third-year American Legion program beat Eagle River for the first time in team history, and now has nearly twice as many victories as it did last season. The Pioneers finished with four wins in 2016.

“It’s good to get a two-in weekend,” Rockey said.

Palmer beat Bartlett 12-4 on Saturday. The Pioneers have had success against the Golden Bears in the past, but Rockey said it was nice to get the first win over an Eagle River team that remains in the hunt for a state tournament berth. Rockey said the Pioneers have been much more consistent late in the season.

“We’ve been talking all year about playing a full seven innings. They really put together a full seven innings today,” Rockey said.

Palmer head led 8-4 head into the fifth, but Eagle River used four runs in the top of the inning to tie the score at 8. Rockey said he was thrilled that his players didn’t fold under the pressure.

“They didn’t get discouraged at any point,” Rockey said.

Palmer’s top three hitters in the order — Trace Severson, Alasdair McKechnie and Ketchum — scored two runs each during the win over Eagle River. Aaron Christiansen also scored a pair of runs. Cole Doss was 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored. Rockey said Doss doubled twice with two outs.

“I was ecstatic to see that,” Rockey said.

Rockey praised the work of pitcher Kalen Huddleston during the win over Bartlett. Huddleston scattered nine hits, but Palmer allowed only four runs against the Bears. Rockey said Huddleston threw 101 pitches, 74 for strikes.

“That’s not something that’s common in Alaska,” Rockey said.

Rockey said the Palmer High product didn’t see a ton of playing time during the high school season, but has certainly found his role on the Pioneers pitching staff.

“That kid, more than any one of my pitchers, used his entire body, and has excellent mechanics,” Rockey said.

Palmer had 13 hits against the Bears. McKechnie was 3 for 3 with three RBI and two runs. James Nelson added three hits and two runs. Jeremy Allen scored twice.

The Pioneers cap the regular season with three home games this week. Palmer hosted rival Wasilla Tuesday night at the Palmer Senior Field, and plays Fairbanks 11 Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Palmer hosts Kenai at 6:30 p.m. at Hermon Brothers Field.

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