The Chugiak-Eagle River Chinooks battled back to erase a two-run deficit, but the Anchorage Glacier Pilots scored the go-ahead run in the ninth inning to walk off the Chinooks 3-2.

Anchorage broke through in the third inning, using a sacrifice fly from Cooper Kunis and a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded to take a 2-0 lead. Chinooks starter Drew McCartney settled in after the early damage, finishing 5.1 innings while allowing just two runs on five hits.

The Chinooks answered in the fourth. Kirby Jenkins reached and eventually came around to score when Cal Wipf lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Chugiak-Eagle River found the equalizer in the seventh inning. Austin Young reached base and came around to score when Reese Vassar ripped an RBI double down the line before advancing to third, tying the game at 2-2 and giving the Chinooks new life.

The bullpen kept the game even into the ninth as Gage Webster delivered 2.2 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits while striking out two.

Anchorage, however, put together the deciding rally in the top of the ninth. Henry Verhamme reached base before Cooper Kunis doubled, and Antonio Gianni followed with an RBI single to bring home the go-ahead run and give the Glacier Pilots a 3-2 advantage.

Vassar led the offense with a double and an RBI, while Kai Butler tripled and Cal Wipf reached base three times with a hit, two walks, and a sacrifice fly. Austin Young also scored a run and collected a hit as the Chinooks were limited to five hits on the night.

Despite the loss, the Chinooks received quality outings from McCartney and Webster and fought back to tie the game before Anchorage's late hit proved to be the difference. The Chinooks have a five game series coming up in Kenai.