For the third time in the past five games, the Soldotna baseball team executed a no-hitter.
Joey Becher pitched his second no-hitter of the season Saturday as the Stars topped Palmer 5-0 in Southcentral Conference play at the Soldotna Little League fields.
Soldotna ends the regular season at 9-1 in the league and 10-1 overall.
“I’ve known Joey for a long time and I’ve had the privilege of coaching him for that time, and nothing surprises me with him,” Soldotna coach Robb Quelland said. “He is this good and I know he’s this good.”
The Stars have not given up a run in four of their past five games, and yielded just two runs in the lone nonshutout.
After no-hitting Kodiak for five innings May 13, Becher turned the same trick Saturday.
The no-hitter was a great way to celebrate senior day for Becher, Kenny Griffin, Calvin Hills, Mason Prior and Kolten Wilson.
“They all got to play and contribute to a great win,” Quelland said of his seniors.
Hills was 2 for 4 with two RBIs, Griffin was 2 for 4 with a run, Becher was 1 for 3 with a run and two RBIs, Wilson was 1 for 1 with a run and an RBI, and Prior was 1 for 2 with two runs and an RBI.
Soldotna’s defense also was solid, giving up just one error.
Palmer 5, Kenai 2
The Moose pulled away for a victory late against the Kards on Friday at the Kenai Little League fields.
Kenai is now 4-6 in the Southcentral Conference and 4-7 overall.
Palmer’s Jarred Yanez pitched all seven innings, giving up just one hit and two earned runs while walking five and striking out 14.
Jakeb O’Brien had the hit and an RBI for the Kards, while Paul Steffensen and Ryan Johnson had the runs.
Gavin Petterson took the loss for Kenai, working all seven innings and giving up eight hits and five runs — four earned — while walking two and striking out nine.
Palmer scored twice in the third to take the lead, but Kenai tied the game at 2 in the bottom of the fourth. The Moose tacked on two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh.
Cody Grogan was 3 for 4 with three RBIs for Palmer, while Yanez scored two runs and Damion Bailey had two hits.
