The Gastineau Channel Little League Junior All-Stars rallied to a 13‑3 victory over Ketchikan on Thursday, evening their best‑of‑five state championship series at one win apiece.
The win comes after a 15‑5 drubbing the previous day, a result that manager Zach Kohan said the team refused to let define them.
Bridger Lockhart took the mound and, after a run‑rule shortened five‑inning outing, credited the defense for giving him the confidence to attack the strike zone.
Gavin Kohan made a leaping catch for the final out, while Max Hayes opened the game with a drag‑bunt single and Elias Lockhart followed with a double that set up an RBI hit.
Wyatt Hickok and Logan Fanning added their own hits, extending the early offensive surge.
Regional berth on the horizon
The series will resume Saturday at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Regional Championships in Bend, Oregon, scheduled for July 22‑30.
In a separate junior softball contest, the GCLL squad fell 13‑3 to Anchorage’s Abbott‑Rabbit, with Katelyn Sulser leading Juneau’s offense with two hits, a run and an RBI, while Aisha Tapia contributed a hit, a run and an RBI.
The softball series will continue on Saturday, its victor moving on to the regional tournament in Tucson, Arizona, from July 23‑29.