Alaska Goldpanners take game one of three against Everett Merchants

The Everett Merchants hosted a rare non-league opponent on Tuesday night.

All the way from Fairbanks, AK–the Alaska Goldpanners are in Everett for a three-game series, followed by a visit against the North Sound Emeralds and Seattle Studs.

And tonight, the Merchants could not get the bats going against the Goldpanners, Cameron Leonard, who sailed through seven innings allowing just two hits, one run (unearned) and seven strikeouts. Alaska would defeat Everett, 6-2.

On the other side, starter Cody Culp for the Merchants struggled getting the third out in the second and fifth innings in which Alaska made most of their damage. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk, Culp got a couple putouts, but Blake Porter knocked in both runners with a single in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.

In the fifth, a costly error by Culp would let the first batter advance to first. Again, he was able to cease his next two batters, but Alaska got some timely hitting with a single and a double to score two unearned runs for a 4-1 advantage. The Goldpanners would add runs in the sixth and seventh to finish Culp’s night. He would finish seven complete innings, eight hits, six runs (three earned), two walks and four strikeouts.

Everett bounced back after the top of the second ordeal. Andy Atwood’s one out single and a stolen base would have the Merchants in position. He would advance to third on an error by the catcher and Ethan Smith brought in Atwood in to cut the deficit to one.

The Merchants and Goldpanners are set for another 7:05 p.m. start, Wednesday.

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