SID Trace Niemann

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks wasted no time getting their offense rolling Sunday afternoon, cruising to an 18-3 victory over the Anchorage Glacier Pilots behind hot bats and a strong showing on the mound.

The Chinooks struck first in the opening inning and never looked back. Drew Hurst put them on the board with an RBI single that scored JD Wolff, and the offense capitalized on Anchorage miscues to build an early 3-0 advantage. Reese Vassar delivered an RBI single later in the inning, while Kirby Jenkins crossed the plate on a passed ball to give the Chinooks all the momentum.

After adding two more runs in the third inning, the Chinooks answered the Pilots' brief push with a three-run fourth. Hurst drew an RBI walk before Nick Moyer lined a two-run single to extend the lead to 8-2. Moments later, Hurst scored on a close play at the plate after some aggressive baserunning.

The offense continued to pile on from there.

Vassar finished with a huge day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and a game-high four RBIs. Hurst matched him with three hits and three RBIs while scoring three times. Jenkins reached base three times, scored three runs and drove in two, while Moyer collected three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.

In all, the Chinooks racked up 15 hits and drew 11 walks. Eight different players crossed the plate as they continued to pressure the Pilots throughout the game.

The eighth inning put the contest out of reach for good. The Chinooks sent 11 men to the plate and erupted for seven runs. JJ Pruneau and Jack Boots each walked in runs, Cal Wipf also brought a run home with a bases-loaded walk, and Jenkins and Hurst added RBIs as the lead stretched to 18-3.

On the mound, Asher Abrahams earned the win after tossing 4.1 innings, allowing three runs while striking out four. Collin Otte came through with 1.2 scoreless frames and three strikeouts. Gage Webster and Paul Witkop closed the door, combining to hold the Pilots hitless over the final two innings.