American Legion Twins pitchers Jake Conver and Tyler Covey combined for a no-hitter Sunday against the Delta Junction D-backs in Anchorage.
The Twins (13-10 overall) won the game 15-0, so the contest was shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule. Conver pitched three innings and Covey pitched two. The duo combined for nine strikeouts and four walks.
Delta is a charter member of American Legion baseball, meaning the D-backs are not eligible for postseason play until next season.
The D-backs also were no-hit in early July by three Fairbanks 49ers pitchers.
“They did really well,” Twins coach Robb Quelland said of Conver and Covey. “Everybody at this level can hit. It’s a special day when two pitchers can combine for that.”
The no-hitter came almost a year to the day after Dallas Pierren, now a coach for the Twins, no-hit East in a 12-0, seven-inning victory on July 13.
After that game, longtime Twins general manager Lance Coz said Pierren’s no-hitter was the first since Mike Smith tossed one in the 1990s. Coz added that there had been less than five no-hitters in the Twins history.
On offense, JJ Sonnen was 2 for 2 with two runs and three RBIs, Tommy Bowe was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, Mike Swoboda was 2 for 3, Joey Becher was 2 for 3 with two RBIs, and Mason Prior was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
“The kids are coming around,” Quelland said. “I see improvement day by day and week by week. We’re where we want to be at this time of the year.”
The Twins host West on Tuesday at Coral Seymour Memorial Park, with a noon league game and 3 p.m. nonleague game.
Friday in Anchorage, the Twins face Fairbanks Post 11 in league games at 3 and 6 p.m.
Saturday in Anchorage, the Twins face Fairbanks Post 30 in league games at noon and 3 p.m.
Also Sunday, the Twins A, or junior varsity, team finished second at the Chugiak Wood Bat Tournament, losing in the championship game to South Gold.
