The host Soldotna baseball team put together a resounding doubleheader sweep in Southcentral Conference play Saturday to move to 5-3 overall.
In the first game, Soldotna defeated Houston 21-1 in a game that lasted just 3 1-2 innings. A 13-run second inning put things out of reach.
Jacob Belger was 2 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs, Daltyn Deborski scored three runs, Atticus Gibson scored two runs, Andrew Pieh scored two runs, Levi Mickelson was 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs, Josh Pieh was 2 for 3 with three runs, Derrick Jones was 2 for 4 with three runs and two RBIs, Riley Johnson was 2 for 3 with three RBIs and Gavin Jones had two RBIs.
Gibson, Simon Graham and Derrick Jones kept the Hawks in check on the mound.
In the second game, the Stars took care of Grace Christian 22-8 in 3 1-2 innings.
Belger had a pair of RBIs, Deborski scored four runs, Gibson scored four runs, Andrew Pieh scored two runs and had four RBIs, Mickelson had two hits and two runs, Dylan Davidhizar had two runs, Derrick Jones had three runs and three RBIs, and Gavin Jones had two runs and three RBIs.
On the mound, Josh Pieh ran into trouble as Grace got a six-run second inning, but his teammates made up for it. Davidhizar allowed a run in two innings to close out the game.
Kenai 17, Houston 15
The host Kardinals claimed their first win of the season Friday, moving to 1-4 in the Southcentral Conference and 1-5 overall.
“I’m happy with the way we are hitting the ball,” Kenai coach Luke Oliver said. “We had some mental mistakes and errors. We need to tighten things up and we can get to that this week in practice.”
Gabe Smith got the start and gave up four hits in three innings, with Charlie Chamberlain and Simon Grenier providing help in relief.
Caleb Smith was 2 for 5, Jackson DuPerron was 2 for 5 and Brady Bostic was 2 for 3.
Grace Christian 15, Kenai 10
The host Kardinals stand at 1-5 in the Southcentral and 1-6 overall after losing a Friday game to the Grizzlies that was called in the sixth due to darkness.
Oliver continued to be impressed by the hitting of his squad.
“That’s important,” Oliver said. “Hot bats will typically win you a region or state tournament.”
Oliver said Wes Katzenberger did a great job on the hill, going five complete innings and giving up four runs. He gave up two home runs, but only four hits total.
Chamberlain went 3 for 5 for the Kardinals.
Palmer 8, Homer 3
The host Mariners fell to 1-4 in the Southcentral Conference and 1-7 overall with the Friday loss.
Homer received a dazzling outing from starter Harrison Metz. Metz went 5 2-3 innings and struck out 14 while walking just one. He gave up six runs — four earned — while also allowing seven hits.
Homer coach Rich Sonnen said the Mariners could not support Metz’s performance defensively or at the plate. He said the Mariners have had one or two players in quarantine each week and that has kept the team from being at full strength.
“We hung with them a little while we could,” Sonnen said. “We couldn’t generate much offense.”
Mylan Johnson was 2 for 4 for the Mariners, while Austin Ceccarelli was 1 for 2, and Johnny Gregoire and Josiah Raymond were each 1 for 4.
Palmer 19, Homer 5
The host Mariners played their third game in three days, losing a nonconference game to the Moose on Saturday to fall to 1-8.
Homer coach Rich Sonnen said he was short on arms after so many games, but said that’s good because the conference tournament will be three days so more pitchers must start getting experience.
The coach said Johnny Gregoire threw his best four innings of the season, while Malachi Raymond did a great job for a freshman.
“Palmer is just a great-hitting team,” Sonnen said. “They racked up 15 hits.”
Harrison Metz was 2 for 3 with a double and triple for the Mariners, while Mylan Johnson was 1 for 3 and Gabe Dash was 1 for 3.
