If the first two games are any indication, the 22nd annual BP Invitational Legion baseball tournament is going to be a good one.
The tournament began Thursday at Mulcahy Stadium with two one-run games — Service defeated West 3-2 after being down 2-0 and Chugiak downed South 4-3 in a rematch of the state championship game.
In Thursday's opener, Service outfielder Mike Yandell, batting in the eighth spot, drove in two runs in the fifth inning to tie the game 2-2.
Yandell scored the go-ahead run on an error after Cobey Cupp doubled in the next at-bat.
Ronan Klancher earned the win, allowing two runs in six innings. Raleigh Pigg delivered the save.
West's Sam Joling and Chris Crespo scored in the second inning to put the Eagles on top, but West couldn't muster another run despite getting two runners in scoring position in the sixth inning.
[BP Invitational Legion baseball tournament begins Thursday]
In the second game, Chugiak won by holding on to a slim lead throughout the game.
Charlie Bucolo and Zachary Bohrer — who went 3 for 3 at the plate — put the Mustangs in front 2-1 in the second inning. Bucolo scored on an error and Bohrer scored on a sacrifice fly by James Lanier.
Chugiak expanded its lead in the third and fourth innings with runs by Vander Lekites and Bohrer.
South's Josh Costello and Parker Johnson drove in runs in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, but the Wolverines couldn't complete the comeback.
[Falling in glove: Legion, ABL players heart their baseball gloves]
The four-day tournament continues Friday with all eight teams in action at Mulcahy Stadium. The games begin at 9:15 a.m. with Chugiak against Lanakila of Hawaii.
The championship is set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
BP Invitational
Mulcahy Stadium
Thursday's scores
Service 3, West 2
Chugiak 4, South 3
Friday's games
9:15 a.m. — Chugiak vs. Hawaii
11:45 a.m. — Dimond vs. West
2:15 p.m. — Kenai vs. South
5 p.m. — Service vs. Tennessee
7:30 p.m. — Hawaii vs. Kenai