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Alyssa Ferdarko prepares to let go with a pitch during the Knik Minor Girls (ages 10-11) All-Star game with Nunaka Valley Little League Friday. The local All-Star team came up short but advanced to the title game. Knik lost the District I Championship game, 17-1, Monday to the tournamentÕs host, Nunaka Valley.
Star Photo By DAVID MORSE
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The Knik Little League All-Star softball and baseball teams have fared well during the early rounds of post-season tournament play, with only two of the seven teams having their season come to an end.
The Major League boy's team, coached by Gregg Frost, ended their playoff run with a 15-6 loss to Far North Little League Monday, dropping to 2-3 in the tournament.
The tournament had started on high note for the squad, with pitcher R.J. Dirscherl throwing a near-complete game shutout against first-round opponent Nunaka Valley.
The game also began well offensively as leadoff hitter Lauren Frost drove the game's first pitch to deep centerfield for a double. Knik would score three runs in the inning, enough to secure the win behind Dirscherl's controlled pitching from the mound.
The righthander finished the game with 12 strikeouts and allowed just three walks in compiling a no-hitter through 5-2/3 innings before reaching the Little League maximum pitch count total of 85. Reliever Austin Rogers came in and struck out the final batter.
Catcher Antonio Ortiz played well behind the plate, gunning down three Nunaka Valley base runners on attempted steals.
The girls 9/10 softball team made it all the way to the District I championship game before losing in host Nunaka, 17-1, late Monday.
Coach Tia Froehle noted that the team mounted an unlikely come-from-behind victory against Dimond-West Sunday to make the championship game.
Knik trailed 18-4, as the game went into the bottom of the fourth, when the team made its charge.
“We started our rally and scored eight runs in the fourth to make it 18-12,” Froehle said. “Then in the fifth, they only scored one run and we got our rally going again, scoring ten runs. The good thing was those runs came on our hits and not a bunch of walks.”
Pitchers Rachel Gregg and Katrina Arthen combined for the win Ôin the circle', alternating innings throughout the contest.
“It was awesome to see these girls pull together. At no time had they counted themselves out of it,” said Froehle.
The other five teams are still in the midst of their tournaments.
The 9-10 Knik All-Star boys are 2-0 through Monday, after opening the tournament with a 16-1 triumph over Valdez Sunday. The hitting and pitcher Caden Williams and Dalton Gally contributed to the victory.
The team followed up with a 5-4 win over Nunaka Valley in six innings Monday.
Cody Cuftman pitched for 5-2/3 innings with Tavin Clarke coming in for the save.
The team had Tuesday off before resume play against City View Wednesday.
The 10/11 baseball All-Stars extended their season with a 12-2 win over Polar in a shortened four-inning game Sunday, according to manager Martin Walter.
“With the win we are guaranteed to advance out of pool play,” he said.
The single-elimination champion bracket began play Wednesday, at the new Far North Fields, off Elmore Street in mid-town Anchorage.
The Knik Arctic Chill majors softball team (ages 11-12) defeated Dimond-West, 7-2, Monday, to advance into the District I Championship game against Nunaka Valley.
Under the direction of manager Charley Peyton, the team had advanced through pool play with a 2-2 record with wins over Kodiak and Dimond-West, but was seeded third, trailing both Dimond-West and the undefeated, top-ranked Nunaka.
Knik dispatched Dimond-West for the second time Monday with Savannah Kramer scattering five hits over six innings for the complete-game victory. Sarah Peyton provided two doubles and a single, providing four RBIs, reported the manager.
The junior boys baseball team, managed by Dean Cimmiyotti, likewise finished their tournament strong with back-to-back wins over Polar, 10-0, Saturday, and 6-5 over City View Sunday, placing second in their pool play and advance into the single-elimination champion bracket. That round began Monday, with Knik in the 8 p.m. game. Results were not provided in time for printing.
The Knik juniors girls opened their tournament Sunday with a 14-3 over Dimond-West Sunday, with Becca South pitching four innings, and Darion Goefert adding three.
Knik jumped all over Dimond-West pitching with five runs in the first inning batting through their lineup. Two walks and a pair of singles, by South and Jessica Tramp helped to put early runs on the board.
Manager Jerry South said he likes the team's chances.
“We have the strongest pitching in this tournament. We have at least two (premier) pitchers in Becca and Darion, and then you throw Jessica (Tramp) into the mix — we're strong,” he said.
After pool play for the better part of this week, that tournament will break for the Anchorage Softball Association's state tournament this weekend for resuming for District I championship bracket play next week.
