The Mariners travelled to Kodiak on April 29 and 30 for back-to-back games. Homer and Kodiak tied up the weekend, each winning one game. Homer is now 1-1 in conference.

 Mariner baseball’s next games are Thursday, May 5 at Soldotna High, Friday, May 6 at Houston and Saturday, May 7 at Palmer.

The Mariners took charge on Friday, pulling out a final score of 11-9 for the win. Starting off the game strong with three runs, they continued to score in every inning except the third. Kodiak attempted a comeback, tying up the game in the seventh inning, however, two runs in the eighth for Homer sealed the Mariners’ victory.

Michael Swoboda and Seth Adkins gave the Mariners three runs each, followed by Kyle Johnson with two runs. Joe Ravin, Greg Smith and Adam Brinster each scored one. Landon Bunting and Woape Huffman both batted two runners in, while Smith, Swoboda and Ravin each batted one runner in.

The Mariners fell short during Saturday’s game, despite scoring steadily throughout the game. The game came to an 8-8 tie during the fifth inning, but six runs from Kodiak in the sixth inning brought them a leap ahead of Homer.

Homer coach Rich Sonnen said his squad fell behind 5-1 after two innings due to baserunning errors.

“It was blowing hard and pouring down rain but we played anyway,” Sonnen told the Clarion.

The team had some crucial mental miscues in giving up six runs in the bottom of the sixth and falling behind 14-9, Sonnen said.

He said Adkins, a freshman, and Ravin, a sophomore, did great on the mound, especially considering their youth. He said the biggest problem was defense.

Swoboda, Ravin, Smith and Adkins scored two runs a piece. Johnson and Bunting each brought in one run. Huffman batted three runners in, while Brinster, Smith and Swoboda each batted one runner in.

Peninsula Clarion Staff Report contributed reporting.

Anna Frost can be reached at anna.frost@homernews.com.