Pilots win season series against Bucs 9-1

by Lauren Petri

July 30th

The first game at Mulcahy Stadium between the Anchorage Glacier Pilots and the Anchorage Bucs was the rubber match of the Mayors Cup. The last time the Bucs won the cup was 2018, but the Pilots were determined to keep it on their side. The Pilots came out hot in the first inning, scoring four runs on two hits, two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and two fielder’s choices. The Bucs slowly answered with a sacrifice fly in the first, a solo home run by Jaxon Sorenson in the third, and another sacrifice fly in the fifth. The Pilots solidified their win in the seventh, tacking on two more runs as Blake Jackson doubled and scored on a wild pitch, and Garrison Berkley walked and scored on an error by Logan Hokuf. Max Martin closed out the game for the Pilots, pitching two and two-thirds innings, striking out three, and walking one, but allowing no hits.

The Pilots run parade didn’t stop for game two. They scored three runs in the first innings on no hits, three walks, a hit-by-pitch, and a wild pitch. The Bucs however, tied the game right away with three runs of their own on two hits, one walk, and a hit-by-pitch. The Bucs wouldn't score again, thanks to the dominance of Casey Euper, and the defense behind him. Euper pitched five more scoreless innings, striking out four, walking one, and allowing three hits. Ian Torpey pitched the last inning, striking out one, and walking two, but didn’t allow a hit. The Pilots kept scoring, earning two runs in the third, and three runs in the seventh. Andrew Lamb went 1 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Jacob Stinson went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. The Pilots did not record a single extra-base hit, but the small ball and free bases got them the win. Going into their last two games of the regular season, the Pilots just need to win one against the Mat-Su Miners to secure first place.

Final Score:

Game 1:  Anchorage Glacier Pilots 7, Anchorage Bucs 3

Game 2:  Anchorage Glacier Pilots 8, Anchorage Bucs 3