Oilers send off Freeman to pro league

The Peninsula Oilers are in the business of winning titles and sending players off to bigger and better things.

They almost accomplished both in 2016.

While the Oilers came up short of a Top of the World Series championship this summer, losing two games in a playoff series to the Mat-Su Miners, the team has succeeded in getting a player signed to the pros.

Righ-handed pitcher Hasten Freeman has signed on to the Sioux City (Iowa) Explorers, a team that is currently battling for a division title in the American Association. Sioux City is currently one game back of the Lincoln (Nebraska) Saltdogs in the AA Central Division standings.

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

Oilers head coach Brian Daly said he was proud to have gotten Freeman signed onto a bigger team. As a senior out of the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Freeman finished the 2016 Alaska Baseball League season with a 4.69 ERA, accumulated over 23 innings of work. Freeman touted a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 18-14.

“It’s a big step for him, and I’m glad I was able to use my connections to give him a chance,” Daly said.

Last year, Daly got two players signed — right handers David Diaz and Paul Lujan — onto professional teams.

Daly added that the 6-foot-2 righty from Subiaco, Arkansas, hasn’t just developed one strong pitch, but rather offers up a nice collection of throws that will keep batters off balance.

Daly used to coach in the American Association with the now-defunct El Paso (Texas) Diablos, and said with the plethora of contacts he has with coaches in the Lower 48, he knew the opportunity for Freeman to strike it rich was there.

“I reached out to couple teams and they were interested,” Daly said. “For him being a graduated senior, this was kind of his last chance to make it or break it.”

“I’m happy for him, it’s well deserved on his part.”

Freeman got a late start with the 2016 Oilers, making his first appearance July 9 against the Mat-Su Miners. After several players were sent home due to injury and pitching conflicts, Daly said it left a spot open for Freeman to fill, and the 22-year-old made the most of his time on the Kenai Peninsula.

Freeman’s best start of the summer came Aug. 2, on the penultimate day of the regular season, when he gave up one run on four hits in six innings of ball. Freeman struck out six batters and did not issue a single walk, but was still credited with the loss in the 1-0 game.

“It was big boost for us, and it got us going in the right direction,” Daly said, pointing out that the team was able to finish strong after a late slump doomed the Oilers chances in 2015. “Hasten was a stopper for us, he didn’t allow that to happen.”

More in Sports

Runners line up at the start for the Seldovia Salmon Shuffle 5K race on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Seldovia, Alaska. Photo courtesy Ecola Collier
255 do the Salmon Shuffle

The 5K race is held annually as part of Seldovia’s 4th of July celebrations.

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

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