SID-Trace Niemann

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks erased a three-run deficit and briefly grabbed the lead Friday night, but a four-run seventh inning by the Anchorage Bucs proved to be too much in a 7-4 loss.

After being held scoreless through the first five innings, the Chinooks began their comeback in the sixth. Cal Wipf led the rally after reaching base and eventually scoring on an RBI single from Carter Reid to cut the deficit to 3-1. Later in the inning, Austin Young brought home Reese Vassar with a sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game.

The Chinooks completed the comeback in the seventh. Phoenix West and Cal Wipf reached base to set the table before Kai Butler lined a two-run single to left field, scoring Wipf and West to give The Chinooks its first lead of the night at 4-3.

Anchorage answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Luke Taylor tied the game with an RBI double before Luke McLeod delivered an RBI triple to put the Bucs back in front. Finn Leach followed with a two-run single, capping a four-run frame that gave Anchorage a 7-4 lead.

The Chinooks collected 11 hits in the loss, led by Phoenix West, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored. Butler finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a stolen base, while Wipf scored twice and added two hits. Vassar also recorded a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

On the mound, Mason Trotter made the start and allowed three runs over 3.2 innings while striking out three. Jack Florence kept the Chinooks within striking distance with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief and three strikeouts before Anchorage's decisive seventh inning.

Despite matching the Bucs with 11 hits, the Chinooks stranded 12 runners on base and committed three errors in the defeat. Chugiak-Eagle River showed resilience by battling back to take the lead, but Anchorage's late surge spoiled the comeback effort.