Peninsula Oilers first baseman Cole Hage forces out Marco Pirruccello of the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks on Monday, June 7, 2021, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Peninsula Oilers first baseman Cole Hage forces out Marco Pirruccello of the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks on Monday, June 7, 2021, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Panners take opening series from Oilers

The Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks defeated the Peninsula Oilers 4-3 on Monday in nonconference action at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai.

The Panners also defeated the Oilers 8-7 on Sunday to take the three-game, nonconference, exhibition series after the Oilers had won the opener.

The Oilers open Alaska Baseball League play on an eight-game road trip that starts Wednesday with a 7 p.m. game against the Anchorage Glacier Pilots at Mulcahy Stadium in Anchorage. The Oilers do not return home until June 19 with a 5 p.m. game against the Mat-Su Miners.

Monday, the Panners got a run in the second and three runs in the third. The Oilers answered with three runs in the third but could get no closer. Peninsula had a runner on third with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Ben Grunberg struck out.

Sunday, the Oilers staged a massive comeback that came up just short. Peninsula fell behind 5-0 after the first inning and 8-0 after the third inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning in the seventh-inning game, the Oilers launched their comeback, scoring seven runs.

John Olmstead started the rally with a two-run home run to score Henry Noviki. Ben Grunberg then made it 8-3 when his double scored Andrew Sojka.

Grant Roosma then singled to score Grunberg. A Bryce Marsh single put two runners on for Cole Hage, who cleared the bases with a home run for a 8-7 game.

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

Nick Varney
Reeling ‘Em In: Fair weather expected for 4th of July weekend

Keep a heads-up approach when in traffic during the holiday — you don’t know who you’ll run into.

Most Read