By Staff Writer
(ADN June 10, 1992)

He's back.

Brett Backlund, an all-Alaska player for the Fairbanks Goldpanners last year, returned for the Panner son Monday and helped his team beat the Peninsula Oilers 8-7 at Oiler Field.

An opening-night crowd of about 500 was treated to late-inning fireworks.

With the Oilers leading 3-2 in the ninth inning, Fairbanks sent the game into extra innings when Backlund's sacrifice fly scored Matt Patterson.

Fairbanks racked up five runs in the 10th and then survived an Oiler threat in the bottom of the inning.  A baserunning error by Peninsula - in which two men were at third at the same time - proved costly.  The out meant that instead of having the bases loaded with one out, the Oilers had men at first and second with two outs.  Both runners were stranded.

Backlund's stay in Alaska might be short - he's negotiating with the Pittsburgh Pirates - but even one day was too long for the Oilers.  Backlund, who started the game as a designated hitter, also picked up the win by pitching the final three innings.

Oiler starter Jimmy Walker - who made his arrival via helicopter - pitched seven strong innings, allowing two hits and striking out six, before tiring in the eight inning.  Bart Jennings shouldered the loss in relief.

June 9, 1992, Anchorage Daily News