newsminer.com

FAIRBANKS — Though lingering hamstring problems relegated him to pinch-hitting duty, Alaska Godpanner Matt Newman found a way to be a game-changer.

He headed to the plate in place of Stephen Davis in the seventh inning with the Panners holding a slim lead against the surging Anchorage Glacier Pilots.

He made the most of his sole at-bat, knocking a three-run homer that put the momentum back in Alaska’s favor and propelling the Panners to an 11-7 win in Alaska Baseball League action Sunday night at Growden Memorial Park.

The Panners (14-17 ABL, 18-18) took control of the game early with a four-run first inning and added two more runs in the third to go up 6-1.

But Anchorage (18-10 ABL, 28-11) stormed back with four runs in the sixth that put them down by one run — until Newman came to the plate.

Closer Ryan Robowski slammed the door hard on the Pilots’ ninth-inning offense, striking out the side.

Jon Pokorny got the win with five earned runs off six hits while striking out four and walking six in 5 2/3 innings of work. Darrin Campell got the loss.

Bryan Beres had a stellar offensive performance for Alaska, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a home run.

Fire split with Oilers

The Athletes in Action Fire of Fairbanks split two games with the Peninsula Oilers on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Fire won 8-7 in the addendum of a game postponed from Saturday night due to darkness. The Fire led 6-4 when it was postponed.

AIA scored deciding in the sixth off an error by Oilers left fielder Kyle Mihaylo.

With runners on second and third, Fire batter Kendall Fox hit a line drive to left field that bounced off the end of Mihaylos glove, allowing the runners to score.

AIA pitcher Cody Brown got the win and Brandon Berl was charged with the loss for Peninsula.

At 2 p.m., the Oilers defeated the Fire 8-4.

Justin Anderson earned the win for the Oilers, and Todd Jeffress got the loss.

The Fire ended the day remaining in sixth place with a 12-18 ABL record and an 14-19 overall record. The Oilers stayed at .500 in league play with a 16-16 record.

Contact the News-Miner sports department at 459-7581.