Wasilla senior throws perfect game

WASILLA — Hank Boyer has flirted with no-hitters before. But on April 27, the Wasilla High School senior had the chance to enjoy perfection.

Boyer threw a perfect game during a 14-0 win over Kodiak.

“It was awesome, a great day for him,” Wasilla head coach Ken Ottinger said earlier this week. “He pretty much had command of everything.”

Boyer threw 52 pitches, 41 for strikes. Only 11 were balls as the right-hander worked through 15 quick outs.

“He was controlling the tempo of the game,” Ottinger said.

Ottinger said Boyer’s curve ball, in particular, was spot on.

“Hard cut from one side of the plate to the other side of the plate,” Ottinger said.

All part of a career night for one of Ottinger’s most reliable talents.

“It doesn’t matter what’s going on. He plays through adversity,” Ottinger said. “He’ll play through pain, he plays through sickness.”

Boyer is like a bulldog on the field, Ottinger said.

Ottinger said he’s known Boyer since the senior was in the fourth grade. He’s coached Boyer at the youth, high school and American Legion levels. Ottinger said he’s thrilled to see what type of player and person Boyer has become.

“Watching him come together as an all-around young man (has been) a beautiful story to watch,” Ottinger said. “I’m excited to watch him in the future.”

Ottinger said college baseball is now a part of Boyer’s plans for the future, and the Warriors head coach believes Boyer has the opportunity to find success at the next level. During his career with the Warriors, Boyer has been a factor at the plate, on the mound and in the field at third base.

“I love watching him at third base. He’ll take a ball in the teeth for me and his teammates,” Ottinger said.

Ottinger said he believes Boyer’s future in baseball — beyond high school and American Legion — is on the mound. With his command and presence on the mound, Ottinger said Boyer really has the chance to elevate his game. Currently, Boyer’s velocity sits around 78 mph, Ottinger said. The Wasilla coaching staff has been working with Boyer to add to the senior’s velocity.

Ottinger raved about Boyer’s work effort and praised the amount of work Boyer put in during the offseason. Ottinger said the 5-foot-9 Boyer has stuck to a dedicated training regiment and lost about 25 pounds during the offseason.

“He’s been running every day. He’s changed completely in the last four, five months,” Ottinger said.

The perfect game was just part of a big week for Ottinger. In addition to the win over Kodiak, Boyer also closed the game during wins over Dimond on Saturday and Palmer on Monday.

“It’s been an unbelievable week for him,” Ottinger said.

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