The American Legion Twins finished with a league record of 11-7 after defeating Eagle River on Friday then losing to Service on Saturday in a trip to Anchorage.
The finish means the Twins will be in the state tournament, but they will be no higher than a No. 4 seed and could drop based on the results of other games.
“We’re qualified for state and we’re playing very good baseball,” Twins coach Robb Quelland said. “We need to work on a few minor things, like hitting and baserunning, but we feel good going into state based on our defense and pitching.”
Saturday against Service, the Twins lost 4-3 in a game that was scheduled for seven innings but went 11.
Joey Becher went 10 innings for the Twins, giving up three unearned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out 11.
“It was phenomenal,” Quelland said. “He showed why he is one of the best pitchers in the state.”
Quelland said the defense also was good. Tyler Covey threw out runners at third and home from center field, while the Twins made just two errors.
Covey came on in relief in the 11th and walked the first two batters. Justice Miller then relieved and was greeted by a walk-off single.
Josh Darrow and Kenny Griffin were 2 for 5 for the Twins, who stranded 11.
Friday, the Twins defeated Eagle River 10-9 in extra innings to give the local nine its ninth win in its last 10 league games.
Friday’s game was scheduled for seven innings, but Eagle River came back to tie the game at 9 in the bottom of the seventh.
With two outs and nobody on in the top of the eighth, JJ Sonnen was hit by a pitch, Terrance Slats walked and Calvin Hills reached on an error to score Sonnen.
Miller then faced just three batters in the bottom of the eighth to keep Eagle River off the board.
“It was a nerve-wracking game,” Quelland said. “When we got up, I think we lost a little bit of focus, but we were able to pull it out at the end.”
The Twins were up 5-1 headed into the fourth inning, but Quelland said Eagle River played excellent baseball in eventually rallying to tie.
Matthew Daugherty pitched the first four innings for the Twins and gave up three runs — two earned.
Klayton Justice gave up five earned runs in two innings, while Kyle Johnson gave up a run in an inning.
“It was another game of no errors,” Quelland said. “Other than one inning, the pitching was exceptional.”
Griffin was 2 for 3 with an RBI, Miller was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a triple, and Hills was 2 for 5 with an RBI.
Quelland said the one problem was the Twins continued to run the bases poorly, losing four runners to poor judgment or understanding of the situation.
