Anchorage Daily News

Early in the season, the short-handed Anchorage Bucs are finding out that versatility pays off in a big way.

Both Bucs pitchers on Tuesday contributed with their bats -- as well as their arms -- to key a 3-1 nonleague victory at Mulcahy Stadium over the visiting North County Waves of Oceanside, Calif.

Starting pitcher Clay Calfee threw six shutout innings and contributed an RBI double in the first inning to put the Bucs ahead.

In the seventh, reliever Mitch Bialosky gave up an unearned run, then hit a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning to give the Bucs the lead for good. The Bucs added an insurance run in the eighth to preserve Bialosky's win.

Although they got outhit 8-6 by the Waves, the Bucs used timely hitting and strong pitching to help them improve to 3-0 this season. The Anchorage team is still waiting for nine players to arrive.

Outfielder Kyle Morgan had two hits, and saved the win with two exceptional defensive plays in center field. Morgan threw out the potential tying run at home early in the game, and preserved the victory with a diving catch with runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the ninth.

The Bucs return to action today at 2 p.m. against Three Rivers, Ore., at Mulcahy.

Pilots roll to first win

The Anchorage Glacier Pilots picked up their first win of the summer, drubbing Three Rivers (Ore.) 15-1 Tuesday at Mulcahy Stadium.

The Pilots (1-1) enjoyed a 19-hit attack en route to clubbing the Sandblasters, who managed only two base hits off four opposing pitchers, including hometown boys Zachary Beltz and Joey Bell.

Matt Diaz delivered four hits, Cody Neer blasted a three-run home run and Matt Wagner made it 11-1 with a two-run double off the wall.

Defensively, the Pilots played error-free, and catcher Tony Pechek threw out a couple runners trying to steal.

The Pilots host the North County Waves tonight at 7.