Goldpanners Roll Past TPA Texas, Stay Unbeaten at NBC World Series

Pool play continued for the Goldpanners on Sunday at the National Baseball Congress World Series, as they faced Top Prospects Academy out of Southlake, Texas (TPA Texas). Alaska rolled to a 15-6 victory, improving to 2-0 in Pool D.

In another high-scoring effort, the Goldpanners racked up 15 runs on 17 hits, securing a run-rule win after eight innings. Their scoring started in the second inning and continued consecutively through the fifth, putting up 10 runs during that span.

They added two more in the seventh and three in the eighth to put the game out of reach. Matthew Pinal led the offensive effort, going 5-for-6 with two doubles and an RBI.

Extra-base hits were a key factor for the Goldpanners, as the team recorded two home runs — one from Jamie Mullin and an inside-the-park homer from Owen Meli.

Despite the eventual run-rule victory, it was Texas who struck first, opening the game with two home runs in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead.

Alaska chipped away at that deficit, taking the lead in the third inning thanks to an RBI double from Ian Armstrong and Mullin's home run, which capped a three-run frame to put the Goldpanners ahead 4-3.

The scoring surge continued in the fourth inning, highlighted by doubles from Meli and Pinal. Vincent Venverloh also contributed with a single, extending the run total to seven over the third and fourth innings and pushing the score to 8-3.

After scoring two more runs in the seventh, the Goldpanners forced Texas into a run-rule situation, leading 12-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Legends fought back with three runs to narrow the gap to 12-5.

However, Alaska responded in the eighth inning, with an Alex Garcia sacrifice fly and Meli's inside-the-park home run extending the lead to 15-5. Texas managed one more run in the top of the ninth but couldn't overcome the eight-run deficit required to keep the game going, resulting in a 15-6 final.

Pitching duties leaned on the bullpen after starter Addison Walker went 2.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and issuing four walks. Ian Moore, Jonah Walker and Hunter Beck followed in relief. Both Jonah Walker and Beck logged 2.0 innings each, while Moore pitched 1.2 innings.

The staff combined for seven strikeouts – three for Jonah Walker and Beck to lead the team – along with seven walks, six earned runs and 11 hits.

One pool play game remains as the Goldpanners take on the Junction City Brigade on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.