Chinooks Offense Explodes in Season Opener


PALMER, Ala. – The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks produced 12 hits in the 10-2 victory over the Matsu Miners for the opening game of the Alaskan Baseball League.

 

In the first inning, Daniel Freeman produced a two-out double to left-centerfield that brought in Brandon Cody and Jess Davis for the 2-0 lead. However, the Miners tied the game back up at 2-2 in the bottom half of the inning.

 

The Chinooks never looked back after the second inning when Joe Brazil led off with a single, Mason Corbett walked, and Brandon Cody picked up an RBI groundout to regain the lead 3-2.

 

In the fourth inning the Chinooks hit through the lineup and plated five runs on five hits. Haden Keller produced the first homerun of the 2019 ABL season with a two-run blast over the right field fence that brought in Mason Corbett who doubled the at-bat before. From there, a single from Brandon Cody, a HBP from J Paul Fullerton, a double from Jess Davis, and a triple from Ethan English pushed the game to an 8-2 lead.

 

In the next two innings, the Chinooks would pick up their final two runs. Pate Fullerton led off the fifth inning with a double down the first-base line before he was brought in on a two-out single from Haden Keller. In the sixth inning, Daniel Freeman plated Jess Davis on a sac-fly to shallow centerfield for the final run of the game.

 

Justin Fox picked up the win on the mound, giving up only one hit and 2 walks in three innings of work. He also struck out three in the outing.

 

Quick Facts:

  • Haden Keller went 3-4 with 3 RBI’s, HR, 2 Singles
  • Every starter reached base in the game
  • 8 of 9 starters had at least one hit in the contest
  • 6 out of 12 hits (Half) were extra-base hits: 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homerun
  • In the fourth inning, the Chinooks hit for the cycle in hit categories with at least one single, double, triple, and homerun (All with two outs).
  • 7 of 10 runs were scored with two-outs

 

The Chinooks will host their home opener at Lee Jordan Field against the Anchorage Pilots Thursday night at 7:00.