The Chugiak Mustangs will head out on the road to challenge the Colony Knights at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday. Chugiak is coming into the game hot, having won their last six games.
Chugiak took an 11-run defeat the last time they faced off against Eagle River, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Mustangs had just enough and edged out the Wolves 10-9 on Wednesday.
Owen McNeil made a splash while hitting and pitching. He pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been consistent: he hasn't given up more than one hit in five consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one double.
Sampson Young
| 05/13/26 vs Eagle River | 5 |
| 05/08/26 vs Palmer | 1 |
| 04/09/26 vs Ketchikan | 1 |
| 04/08/26 vs Lathrop | 1 |
| 05/17/25 @ Service | 1 |
In other batting news, Ethan Atkinson and Sampson Young did most of the damage at the plate: Atkinson went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases, five RBI, and one run, while Young went 1-for-3 with five stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those five stolen bases gave Young a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Cole Lux, who got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two runs.
Meanwhile, Colony faced West Anchorage in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Monday. The Knights were the clear victors by a 10-1 margin over the Eagles. The Knights not only won on Monday, but they posted their biggest win since April 24th (when they won 12-3).
Clay Wood spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: he surrendered only one earned run on two hits and racked up seven Ks. Colony is 3-1 when Wood allows one or fewer earned runs, but 2-6-1 otherwise.
On the hitting side, Colony got a massive performance out of Easton Cook, who went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases, two runs, and one RBI. Cook is becoming a predictor of the Knights' success: when he posts at least two stolen bases the team is 2-0-1 (and 3-7 when he doesn't). Cody Otto also deserves some recognition as he hit his first triple of the season.
Chugiak's record is now 13-1. As for Colony, their record now sits at 5-7-1.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Thursday as neither team is afraid to steal. Chugiak has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 4.8 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Colony struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.4 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Chugiak couldn't quite finish off Colony in their previous meeting back in May of 2025 and fell 5-3. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
