Oilers snap losing skid, back on top of ABL

  • Staff report Peninsula Clarion
  • Thursday, June 28, 2018 3:05am
  • Sports

The Peninsula Oilers returned to their winning ways Wednesday night at Lee Jordan Field in Eagle River, and it may be just what they need heading into tonight.

An 8-2 victory over the Chugiak/Eagle River Chinooks in Alaska Baseball League play snapped a four-game losing streak for the Oilers (12-8) and put them back on top of the ABL standings, a half game ahead of the Mat-Su Miners (11-8), who lost Wednesday.

The Miners routed the Oilers to the tune of 17-1 in a Tuesday night contest, which put the Miners into the league lead. Wednesday’s results swapped the two teams again leading into Thursday’s pivotal matchup between the Oilers and Miners, a 7 p.m. start time.

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

The Oilers prevailed over the Chinooks with late offense, scoring five runs in the top of the ninth to distance themselves.

Oilers starter Mike Lopez stepped up with another clean outing on the mound, throwing five innings and giving up one unearned run on four hits, five strikeouts and zero walks. The Cal State San Marcos right-hander hasn’t allowed an earned run in ABL play this summer through 22 innings.

Calvin Farris, however, ended up with the win in two frames of scoreless relief, giving up just one hit. Andrew Lopez allowed a run on two hits in the eighth and Oilers closer Bret Ricklefs shut the door in the ninth with a scoreless, hitless inning.

Paul Kunst hit 2 for 4 for the Oilers and Ryan Novis was 2 for 5 to lead the local nine. Evan Berkey batted in three runs.

The Chinooks struck first in the bottom of the second with an RBI single by Logan White.

The Oilers answered in the fifth with two runs, tying the contest with a Brian Leonhardt single and taking the lead on a single by Grant Wood.

Berkey brought in a run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth to put the Oilers up 3-1 after Ryan Koch picked up two bases on errors, but in the bottom of the inning, Bailey Collins belted a two-out RBI double to the warning track that cut the gap to 3-2.

The Oilers tacked on some big insurance runs in the top of the ninth starting with a bases-loaded walk to Koch. Berkey and Novis followed up with consecutive two-run doubles to stretch the lead.

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