The Peninsula Oilers made a final-inning grab at the win on Monday night against Matsu, but couldn’t overtake the Miners, ultimately losing 2-5.
The Oilers had the same number of base hits as the Miners, with singles or doubles in seven out of nine at-bats, but left runners stranded in every inning, unable to score.
Owen Christy scored Kenai’s first run in the top of the seventh inning after reaching on a walk, advancing on Novicki’s hit by pitch and then scoring on a RBI double from Andrew Sojka.
The Oilers didn’t keep the momentum up in the eighth, not putting on enough base runners to score.
It appeared Kenai had a shot to tie the game in the top of the ninth after Novicki slugged a double to the outfield and Trevor Antonson reached on a single.
Novicki scored Kenai’s second run on John Olmstead’s sacrifice fly ball in their last at-bat, but the Miners held the Oilers to just two runs before making the final out.
Kenai lost with two runs on nine hits and one error at Hermon Brothers Field in Palmer on Monday. The Matsu Miners scored five runs on nine hits and two errors.
Luke Yacinich threw four innings, striking out four and walking two. He allowed five runs on seven hits.
Alec Weigel pitched the other four, surrendering two hits. He struck out four and walked one.
Novicki batted two for three, Bryce Marsh went two for four and Sojka went two for five.
Trevor Antonson, Dylan Ditzenberger and John Hanley each had one hit for the Oilers.
Oilers 0, Pilots 6
Kenai couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities Sunday afternoon against the Anchorage Glacier Pilots at M Stadium.
The Pilots held the Oilers three up three down through their fourth at-bat, allowing only one base runner — Taylor Johnson — who singled.
Hanley hit a single in the top of the fifth inning with two outs, but the Oilers couldn’t bat him in.
Johnson, Olmstead, Antonson and Sojka each had singles at the end of the game, but the Oilers couldn’t capitalize to score.
Anchorage was able to pull in three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, one in the seventh and an additional two in the eighth.
The Oilers lost with zero runs on six hits and one error. The Pilots won with six runs on eight hits and zero errors.
Aundre Orselli pitched for five innings, striking out five and allowing one walk and three hits.
Nolan Patterson pitched for 1.2 innings. He surrendered one hit and three walks.
Lee Atkinson threw an inning, striking out one and giving up four hits and one walk.
Jacob Dillon and Jake Putnam each saw a few batters at the mound. Dillon walked three and Putnam struck out one.
Johnson batted 1.000 on Sunday, going two for two. Hanley went one for three and Olmstead, Antonson and Sojka each went one for four.
The Oilers are now 2-4 in the Alaska Baseball League, and face off against the Anchorage Bucs on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.
