The American Legion Post 20 Twins defeated the Post 20 Palmer Pioneers 8-3 at Bartlett High School in Anchorage on Saturday, July 13.
The Twins complete a three-game road trip in great position for a high finish in the regular season standings.
Post 20 is third in the Legion standings at 8-4, and also 15-9 overall. The Twins had a tough three-game trip, but beat South (in sixth at 6-5) on Friday, lost to Service (in second at 11-0) on Friday, then topped Palmer (in ninth at 4-7).
The top eight teams in the standings make the Legion state tournament.
The Twins have four games left in the regular season, all on the road at the Kosinski Field Complex in Anchorage.
Thursday, July 18, the Twins have a 4:30 p.m. doubleheader against Ketchikan, 11th in the league at 4-4.
Friday, the Twins play Fairbanks at 12:30 p.m. and the Alaska Wild at 4 p.m. Fairbanks is 10th at 4-6, while the Alaska Wild are 12th at 2-9.
Against Palmer, the Twins trailed 3-1 after five innings before scoring four times in the sixth inning and three times in the seventh inning.
Gabe Smith started the big rally in the sixth inning with a home run to center field to cut the gap to 3-2.
Hunter Williams then walked to chase Palmer starter Reed Craner in favor of Tristan Barrey.
After Jayden Stuyvesant sacrificed Williams to second, Trenton Ohnemus doubled to score Williams and make it 3-3.
Jacob Joanis walked, then Gabe Joanis reached on an error to load the bases. Matthew Schilling then singled to score Ohnemus and Jacob Joanis and give the Twins a 5-3 lead.
Williams pitched the first 4 1-3 innings for the Twins, giving up three runs — two earned — on two hits while walking four and striking out one.
Andrew Pieh then sparkled in relief, pitching 2 2-3 scoreless innings while walking one and striking out one.
For Palmer, Craner went five innings and gave up three runs — two earned — one three hits while walking four and striking out two. Barrey gave up five runs — two earned — on four hits in 1 2-3 innings, while Timothy Bridgman got an out without giving up a run.
Ohnemus led the Twins at the plate by going 2 for 3 with three runs and three RBIs. Schilling knocked in three runs for the Twins, while Smith scored twice.
