The American Legion Twins won a nonleague game Friday in Kodiak before getting swept in a league doubleheader Saturday.
Friday, the Twins notched a 14-2 win in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule.
But Saturday, that offense deserted the Twins as they lost 14-4 in a game shortened to seven innings due to the mercy rule, and 3-2 in a seven-inning game.
The Twins fell to 3-2 with the losses, and 1-2 in the league. Head coach Hector Rivera said this is the first time in his four years with the team he can remember losing two league games on the same day.
In the 14-4 loss, Kenny Griffin gave up eight runs in 4 1-3 innings.
“He wasn’t very sharp, but we also made a few mistakes,” Rivera said.
JJ Sonnen pitched 2 2-3 innings and gave up four runs, while Calvin Hills pitched an inning and gave up two runs.
Sonnen and Michael Swoboda led the Twins on offense with two hits apiece.
“We had opportunities, but we couldn’t get clutch hits,” Rivera said.
In the second game, Kodiak was the visiting team. The Bears came back from a 2-1 deficit in the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead.
The Twins put a runner on second base in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t bring him in.
Joey Becher pitched all seven innings for the Twins. Rivera said Becher needed 117 pitches and was still strong at the end of the game.
But Brandan Pickett was stronger, holding the Twins to just two hits.
“We were not good at all today,” Rivera said. “He outsmarted our hitters.”
Friday was the opposite.
“Everybody hit, and the pitching and defense was good,” Rivera said.
Matthew Daugherty pitched the first two innings and did not give up a hit or a run. Klayton Justice then pitched a scoreless and hitless third inning.
Mason Prior got through the fourth unscatched, but the Bears loaded the bases against Prior in the fifth inning on a walk, a hit batter and a hit. Tommy Bowe then came on and struck out a batter before giving up a hit that scored two. Bowe then recorded another strikeout.
Tyler Covey had a two-run homer for the Twins and was 3-for-4. Bowe had a double and a triple, while Swoboda also had two hits.
The Twins play a league contest at Chugiak at 6:30 p.m. Friday, then play at Bartlett on Saturday in a noon league game and 3 p.m. nonleague game.
