A doubleheader baseball game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, held at Kenai’s Coral Seymour Memorial Park, served to capstone both the local Fourth of July celebration and a fundraiser by the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank.
Admission to both games played Tuesday night was free, and free hot dogs were grilled and served by a collection of public representatives including Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel, Soldotna Vice Mayor Lisa Parker, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche, State Sen. Jesse Bjorkman and State Rep. Justin Ruffridge, as well as Kenai Peninsula Food Bank staff.
Ahead of the second game, the food bank named Soldotna the winner of the King of the River Food Drive, which began last week and pit Kenai and Soldotna against one another in a race to donate the most food. The food bank said that nearly 37,000 pounds of food were received during the drive, and Kenai’s roughly 16,000 pounds donated was topped by Soldotna’s more than 20,000 pounds.
Parker, representing the victorious Soldotna, threw a ceremonial first pitch that was received by Gabriel ahead of the game.
Throughout the first of the two clashes between the Oilers and the Miners, stands were filling, entirely packed as that game came to a close. The Oilers fell 5-2, allowing five runs in the first three innings and failing to answer them.
The Oilers’ fortunes didn’t improve in the second game, while rainfall began to thin the crowd. That game closed 6-0, with all six of the Miners’ runs coming in the fourth inning.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
Brett Grupe readies for a swing during a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brett Grupe dives into second base while Emilio Barreras brings in the ball for a tag during a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Nick Costello catches a ball deep in the outfield during a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brett Grupe makes a dash for the home plate during a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brett Grupe arrives back at home during a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Peter Micciche, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor, grills hot dogs during a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Brian Gabriel, mayor of Kenai, readies to catch the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, readies to throw the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Lisa Parker, vice mayor of Soldotna, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Peninsula Oilers and the Mat-Su Miners on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
