The American Legion Twins split with Service on Thursday at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai, losing the league game 9-4 before coming back to win the nonleague game 8-7.
Service remains on top of the National Division at 7-2 in the league and 10-7 overall, while the Twins are in seventh in the division at 2-6 in the league and 4-9 overall. The top four in each of the two divisions, plus those with the next best two records, make the state tournament.
Twins head coach Robb Quelland said the tale in the league game was a familiar one. Quelland said the Twins have been in every league game, except one, this season, but have failed to finish.
Thursday, the Twins went into the seventh in a 4-4 game, but Service rose to the occasion by scoring five runs.
“We play good and we play good, but we have to find the ability to get timely hits when needed,” Quelland said. “They’re working hard and doing everything right, but when we get to the sixth and seventh innings, they haven’t found out how to win yet.”
Service got the timely hits Thursday, scoring all the runs in the seventh with two outs. The big hits were a double by Henry Helgeson to score Hunter Christian, a single by Eric Galosich to score Helgeson, and a single by Carson Maltby to score Coen Niclai and Galosich.
Harrison Metz took the loss for the Twins, going 6 2-3 innings and giving up eight runs — four earned — on six hits while walking four and striking out five.
“It was a another great day for Harry,” Quelland said of his top pitcher. “He got a little tired toward the end. It’s hard to pull him when there’s two outs and he needs just one more pitch to get out of the inning.”
Service jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the top of the first, but the Twins fought back to take the lead with one in the first, two in the second and one in the fifth.
“It’s always nice to see guys hang in and face adversity,” Service coach Willie Paul said. “When you have the lead and give it up, especially with a young team, sometimes it’s hard to hang in there and battle.”
Service pitchers Hutton Stiles, winner Hunter Christian and Eric Galosich were able to limit the Twins to five hits. Those hits came from Daltyn Deborski, Metz, Jacob Belger, Andrew Pieh and Nick Wehrstein. Deborski scored a pair of runs.
For Service, Helgeson was 2 for 4 with three runs and Galosich was 2 for 3 with two runs.
Quelland said the team continues to improve, especially defensively. He said just a few plays on defense and a few hits are the difference between winning and losing right now.
The Twins were able to hang on to win the nonleague game. Post 20 led 8-3 after four innings, then held on as Service scored two in the sixth and two in the seventh.
The local nine used six pitchers in the game, with Levi Mickelson and Jace Appelhans leading the way. Mickelson had two scoreless innings, while Appelhans had one.
On offense, the Twins were able to bang out 11 hits. Owen Whicker was 3 for 3 with two runs, Riley Johnson was 2 for 3 and Jackson Duperron was 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
Saturday, the Twins host Eagle River in a 12:30 p.m. league contest and 3 p.m. nonleague contest.
At 12:15 p.m., there will be a ceremony to honor Lance Coz, who died in late September 2020 at 73. Coz was pivotal in starting the Twins program in 1975 and served as manager and head coach, qualifying the Twins for state 43 times in 45 years. The Twins won titles in 1991, 1995, 2012 and 2016.
“There was so much he did for the program, not only in Kenai, but around the state of Alaska,” Quelland said. “All around the peninsula, he made a difference in so much more than just baseball.”
Quelland said that, especially in the early years of the program, Coz served as a surrogate father to some of the players. Quelland said the greatest joy for Coz was watching former players go on to success in life.
The Twins are combining with Post 20 on the ceremony, which will include a posting of colors, opening prayer, some readings, a gunfire salute, “Taps,” and presentation of plaque, jersey and picture.
Twins third baseman Atticus Gibson tags out Service’s Coen Niclai in a rundown Thursday at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
