Peninsula Oilers reliever Mose Hayes delivers to the Anchorage Bucs on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula Oilers reliever Mose Hayes delivers to the Anchorage Bucs on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Oilers clinch playoff spot, split doubleheader

The Peninsula Oilers clinched a spot in the Alaska Baseball League playoffs by splitting a doubleheader with the Anchorage Bucs on Friday at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.

The Oilers topped the Bucs 3-2 in the first game before dropping the second game 2-1 to earn a playoff spot for the first time since 2019. Peninsula started the season 6-16, but has won 8 of 11 since.

Peninsula, now 14-19, clinched the final berth over the idle Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks, who are 6-26. The Bucs, now 16-15, are three games ahead of the Oilers for third place. The Anchorage Glacier Pilots, at 21-9, and the Mat-Su Miners, at 23-11, are tied for first in the league.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Time is quickly running out for Oilers fans to catch a game. Peninsula hosts the Bucs today at 6 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m. in what is likely the last home game of the season.

In order to get another home game, the Oilers would have to catch the Bucs for the No. 3 seed, then have both the Miners and Pilots lose in the first round of the playoffs.

In the first game, James Shimashita preserved the 3-2 lead by throwing out Chad Born at the plate in the top of the sixth inning.

Hayden Johns got the victory for the Oilers, going six innings and giving up two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out one. Drake Frize got the save by pitching a perfect seventh inning, striking out two.

The Bucs took the lead in the first inning when Michael Diaz doubled to score Alex Champagne.

The Oilers struck back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Ethan Firestone singled to score Shunsuke Sakaino and Casey Burnham, then went up 3-1 in the fifth when a Burnham sacrifice fly scored Trey Becker.

The Bucs got within one in the sixth when Garrett Anglim singled to score Cody Grebeck, but Shimashita nipped the tying rally with his throw.

Owen Wild took the loss for Anchorage, going four innings and giving up two runs on six hits while walking two and striking out five.

Becker and Sakaino each had two hits for the Oilers, who had nine hits to the Bucs’ five. Anglim and Diaz had two hits for the Bucs.

In the second game, the Oilers went to the bottom of the seventh trailing 2-0 before trying to rally.

Jake Brown reached on an error, then Shimashita singled to put Brown on third. After Graiden West struck out for the first out of the inning, Sakaino drove a double to right field, scoring Brown.

Casey Burnham, pinch running for Shimashita, was held up at third base, but he slipped trying to get back to third for the second out of the inning. Noah Hennings was retired for the final out of the game.

Anchorage got both of its runs off Oilers starter and loser Knolton Clark in the first inning. Clark lasted two innings. Homer product Mose Hayes had three innings of scoreless relief, while Will O’Neil had two scoreless innings of relief.

Bucs starter and winner Josh Hansell was able to work around five hits in four innings to keep the Oilers off the board. Blake Hammond got the save by working the final two innings.

Hennings and Jacob Shaver each had two of the Oilers eight hits.

Peninsula Oilers second baseman Shunsuke Sakaino turns a double play as Dom Chacon of the Anchorage Bucs slides Friday, July 22, 2022, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula Oilers second baseman Shunsuke Sakaino turns a double play as Dom Chacon of the Anchorage Bucs slides Friday, July 22, 2022, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

More in Sports

Nick Varney
Reeling ‘Em In: Hard luck at the fishing hole

The action wasn’t as hot as in the past, but neither was the run.

Seward's Fred Moore stands at the base of Mount Marathon in Seward, Alaska, on Monday, June 24, 2019. Moore will run in his 50th consecutive Mount Marathon race on July 4. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
‘It’s been a good run’

Seward’s Moore explains his decision to end his Mount Marathon streak at 54

Matthew Schilling of the American Legion Post 20 Twins slides safely past Eagle River catcher Jack Mullen on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Monday: Twins keep rolling with sweep of Eagle River

The American Legion Post 20 Twins swept Eagle River on Monday at… Continue reading

Sharon Tyone, Dan Aaronson and Jessica Small make the "real life slot machine" work at the Oilers All-Star Family Field Day on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Oilers return to field for All-Star Family Field Day

It was only for a day, but the Peninsula Oilers were able… Continue reading

David Norris, 34, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, wins the men's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Norris goes 6 for 6 in Mount Marathon men’s race; Moore’s streak ends at 54 races

One streak lived while another streak ended during a brilliantly sunny men’s… Continue reading

Anchorage's Klaire Rhodes, 27, wins the women's race at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Rhodes defends women’s Mount Marathon crown

With Seward stuffed with people for 97th running of the Mount Marathon… Continue reading

The juniors start at the Mount Marathon Race on July 4, 2025, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Anchorage’s Zuber, Flagstad capture junior Mount Marathon races

Kenai’s Boonstra takes 2nd in junior girls race

tease
Thursday: Twins finish strong road trip by sweeping South

The visiting American Legion Post 20 Twins picked up 10-0 and 18-5… Continue reading

tease
Post 20 Twins enact mercy rule on Eagle River

The visiting American Legion Post 20 Twins defeated Eagle River 11-0 in… Continue reading

tease
Tri Nikiski draws 79 participants

The ninth annual Tri Nikiski was held Saturday starting from the Nikiski… Continue reading

Runners start from Homer High School during the Homer Spit Run 10K to the Bay on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Running to the finish

The Homer Spit Run on Saturday drew nearly 250 participants.

You're browsing in private mode.
Please sign in or subscribe to continue reading articles in this mode.

Peninsula Clarion relies on subscription revenue to provide local content for our readers.

Subscribe

Already a subscriber? Please sign in