SID- Trace Niemann

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks battled back from an early deficit and held off the Anchorage Glacier Pilots for a 6-5 victory Monday night at Lee Jordan Field.

The Chinooks struck first in the bottom of the opening inning after Austin Young reached base and eventually scored to tie the game. Later in the inning, JJ Pruneau delivered the big hit, lining a two-run single to center field to give Chugiak-Eagle River a 3-1 advantage.

Anchorage responded with a four-run second inning, taking advantage of walks and hit batters to jump ahead 5-3. The Chinooks refused to back down, however, cutting the deficit to one in the third when Phoenix West singled, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI single by Drew Hurst.

Chugiak evened the score in the fourth as Nick Moyer crossed the plate on a passed ball, making it 5-5. An inning later, the Chinooks grabbed the lead for good. Josh Thompson singled and advanced into scoring position before Blake Allen drove him home with a sacrifice RBI groundout to put the Chinooks ahead 6-5.

The Chinooks' pitching staff settled in after the rocky second inning. Oliver Adams was outstanding in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out five and not allowing a hit. Trey Harper followed with 3.1 scoreless frames and three strikeouts before Evan Rossi shut the door with two scoreless innings to earn his fourth save of the season.

Pruneau led the offense with two hits and two RBIs, while West scored twice and added a stolen base. Hurst chipped in a hit, RBI, run scored, and stolen base, and Moyer reached base three times with a hit and two walks. The Chinooks finished with seven hits and eight walks in the win.

With the win, the Chinooks take sole lead of first place in the ABL and get two days off before they are right back at Lee Jordan against the Pilots Friday night.