The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks split the first two games of a five game series against the Peninsula Oilers, opening with an explosive 18-7 win in the first game before falling 11-4 in the second game.

The Chinooks' offense was nearly unstoppable in the first game, piling up 20 hits and scoring in six different innings. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, the Chinooks erupted for eight runs in the second inning to make up for those two runs. Drew Hurst led the charge with two hits and a game-high five RBIs, while Cal Wipf finished a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Kai Butler continued his hot streak by going 6-for-7 with three runs scored and two RBIs, and Carter Reid, Nick Moyer, Reese Vassar and JJ Pruneau all drove in runs during the onslaught.

The Chinooks continued to add insurance throughout the game, scoring four runs in the fifth, three in the seventh and three more in the ninth to put the game out of reach. Trey Harper earned the win in relief after tossing 2 1/3 innings, while Takeshi Malady, Danny Slaske and Butler combined to close out the victory.

The Oilers answered back in the second game, using a six-run third inning to erase an early Chinooks lead. Phoenix West gave Chugiak-Eagle River a 1-0 advantage with an RBI single in the first before adding an RBI double in the fifth, finishing 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Austin Young reached base three times and scored twice, while Kai Butler added an RBI single in the ninth.

Despite drawing eight walks, the Chinooks were limited to six hits as Kenai's pitching kept the offense in check after the fifth inning. The Oilers added insurance with runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, including home runs from Brooks Hasenclever and Jack Holubowski, to secure the win in game 2.

With the series tied 1-1 the Chinooks and the Oilers will play once again on Tuesday night with Mason Trotter on the bump for the Chinooks.