Friday was Ketchikan’s turn to end an 0-for-decades drought at the American Legion state tournament at Mulcahy Stadium. And it was Kaden Bevegni’s time to shine for the South Wolverines.
Ketchikan took advantage of Dimond mistakes to claim a 7-3 win, its first state-tournament victory since 1983. The breakthrough came a day after Palmer won its first state-tournament game since 1989.
Bevegni made sure Palmer couldn’t get a second victory. The second baseman drove in six runs in South’s 18-7 win, a game cut short by the mercy rule.
In the day’s other game, Eric Galosich smashed a two-run walkoff double to lift Service to a dramatic 7-6 win over Chugiak.
Pool-play games continue Saturday at Mulcahy.
Service 7, Chugiak 6
Service survived 10 free passes handed out by its pitching staff by banging out eight hits. Hunter Christian was 3 for 4, Henry Helgeson was 2 for 3 and Galosich was 2 for 4 to lead the Cougars.
Christian sparked the seventh-inning rally with a leadoff single. He reached second on a sacrifice bunt and Helgeson drew an intentional walk to set up a potential double play, but Chugiak only got the lead runner on a ground ball by Coen Niclai.
With two out and runners at first and second, Galosich doubled to drive in the tying and winning runs.
Chugiak, which scored three runs in the top of the sixth to take a 6-5 lead, was led by Hunter Rau’s two RBI and Fischer Sims’ two hits. It was the second loss of the tournament for the Mustangs.
Ketchikan 7, Dimond 3
Four Dimond pitchers limited Ketchikan to three hits in the seven-inning game, but they doomed themselves with a combined nine walks, five wild pitches and one error.
In Ketchikan’s four-run second inning, three runs scored on wild pitches by starter Miah Eneix.
Ketchikan outfielder Caleb Eisenhower had two of his team’s hits and the only RBI. The Lynx were led by leadoff batter Shane Stephan, who had two hits and scored twice.
South 18, Palmer 7
Batting sixth in the lineup for the Wolverines, Bevegni was 4 for 4 with each hit driving in at least one run.
He rapped a two-run double in the first inning, a two-run single in the second and one-run singles in both the third and fourth innings. The game ended after Palmer went scoreless in the top of the fifth.
South jumped to a 6-0 lead in the first inning. After Bevegni doubled to score two runs, Reece Ivanoff hit a two-run triple and Skylar Sugita cracked a two-run single.
Bevegni pitched the final two innings, allowing one run before retiring the final four batters he faced.
Friday’s games
Service 7, Chugiak 6
Ketchikan 7, Dimond 3
South 18, Palmer 7
Saturday’s games
11 a.m. — Chugiak vs. Eagle River
2:15 p.m. — Palmer vs. Ketchikan
5:30 p.m. — Juneau vs. Service
Sunday’s games
2 p.m. — Eagle River vs. Juneau
5:30 p.m. — Dimond vs. South
Monday’s games
1:15 p.m. — Semifinal
4:30 p.m. — Semifinal
Tuesday’s game
5:30 p.m. — Championship