Mariner baseball won one game and lost two while at the regional tournament on Thursday, May 26 and Friday, May 27. Homer’s varsity team made it to the third round – battling Kenai in the second-place quarterfinals on Friday afternoon – but the loss to the Kardinals by one run spelled the end of the Mariner’s season. 

Homer 5, Palmer 4, 10 inn.

The Mariners, No. 2 from the south, pulled out the victory over Palmer, No. 3 from the north, after giving up a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning in the first round at the Kenai Little League fields on the morning of Thursday, May 27. 

Homer coach Rich Sonnen said both teams had golden opportunities to win the game, but Homer finally came through in the 10th inning when Kyle Johnson singled, stole second and scored on a single by Adam Brinster.

Michael Swoboda was 3 for 6 for Homer, while Brinster and Greg Smith each added two hits.

On the mound, Kyle Johnson saw his first extended action since an injury and pitched the last five innings.

Joe Ravin, Garrett Butcher and Seth Adkins each pitched two innings for Homer.

Wasilla 17, Homer 0, 5 inn.

The Warriors, the No. 1 seed from the north, tuned up for the championship game with a dominant effort against the Mariners, No. 2 from the south, at Coral Seymour Memorial Park during the afternoon of Thursday, May 26.

Kenai 5, Homer 4

The Kardinals, No. 3 from the South, came back late to end the season of Homer, No. 2 from the South, at Seymour Park in the second-place quarterfinals on Friday, May 27. 

Kenai trailed 4-3 in the top of the seventh and was down to its last out when Levi Mese was hit by a pitch. 

Garrett Butcher went the distance on the mound. At the plate, he had a double, triple and run scored. Michael Swoboda added a double and two RBIs, while Kyle Johnson reached base three times and scored a run.