Anchorage Daily News

The still short-handed Anchorage Glacier Pilots used strong showings from Alaska-bred players and a big seventh-inning rally to top the Bears of California 6-2 at Mulcahy Stadium on Thursday to move to 2-0 on the season.

Despite waiting on a handful of players to arrive from the college ranks, the Pilots, who beat the Bears 5-0 on Tuesday, used a mixed-bag line up of players and assistant coaches used timely hitting, no errors and solid pitching to pull out a come-from-behind victory.

After falling behind 2-1 in the top of the seventh, Anchorage scored five runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning to help secure the win.

To start the decisive rally, Bryan Haar, who just graduated from Grossmont High School in San Diego, walked and stole second. Catcher Alex Kurland then doubled and Harr got waved in by the Pilots third base coach and beat the throw to the plate.

After two Pilots flew out, former East standout Joey Scott, who plays college ball at Eckerd College, followed with a double to left field that plated Kurland.

Two batters later, Anchorage's Joe Scott - no typo - doubled to drive in Eric Zimmermann, a West graduate who pinch ran for Joey Scott, and Matt Harughty, who had walked and stole second.

To close the scoring, assistant coach Jason Clark singled to drive in Joe Scott. The Pilots got on the board first in the bottom of the third. Designated hitter Ryan Skillern hit a line drive to center that nearly left the park but the South product settled for a stand-up double.

Skillern advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from catcher Nano Jacobsen, a Juneau grad, and scored on a bunt from Harughty.

Lefty Tyler Whitney picked up the win and right-hander Tyler Henry was solid in four innings of relief.

Whitney, a Mississippi State pitcher, had a one-hitter through five before giving up two singles to open the sixth. He walked none and struck out five while giving up one run.

Henry, a Kentucky Wildcat, showed good control with one strikeout and one walk.

Since today is Friday the 13th, the Pilots host the San Francisco Seals on "Halloween in June" night at Mulcahy. Those wearing a costume will get in free and the first pitch is 7 p.m.

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