Baseball has returned to Alaska, but one team is already playing like the playoffs are around the corner
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - For a program hunting for its 4th-straight trip to the state title game, Tuesday was a good sign. Service and Eagle River baseball saw their seasons begin at Bartlett High School this week, with both sides taking the turf after a pair of strong campaigns in 2025.
“We’re just happy to be outside again. It’s been a long offseason and a very cold spring,” Service Head Coach Willie Paul said. Service looked like they haven’t stopped playing since last summer. The Cougars went on to 10 run-rule the Wolves 14-2. “We’ve had high hopes for these guys,” Paul said. “There’s a lot of returners, but I know that we don’t have quite as many big names as we’ve had in the past that people might recognize. But we have a lot of experience and I think these guys are ready to step up and take the realm out of everything.” Service has made it to the state title game the last three seasons. The Cougars have gone 1-2 in that span, defeating Eagle River to claim the crown in 2024.. The 2025 Alaska Baseball Gatorade Player of the year and Arizona State commit returns for his senior season in 2026.For the potential DI prospect, the rust seemed to have been buffed out by the top of the 2nd. Niclai rocketed a ball in his second at bat to left center field for his first home run of the season. He finished the day 1-3 at the plate and will take the mound for the team later in the year. “I was just sitting back waiting for my pitch, just trying to stay middle with everything I do and just put a good bat on it,” he said. “We expect big things out of him this year. He’ll get on the mound on Saturday, get loose there,” Paul said. “To see him come out hot like that, it’s good to see.” As players and fans now wait for the snow to fully clear their fields, the excitement of another season is already flowing.MrBeast announces new challenge video in Alaska, seeks local participants‘I wish I had an answer:’ Mat-Su Borough stops pumping as 3rd day of flooding continues in neighborhoodAOTW: Two of Alaska’s best in college hockey take Frozen Four stage‘I’m excited to finish it off with a bang’: Standout marksman zeroes in on college future ahead of the Junior Olympics
Service Baseball Service Courgars Eagle River High School Eagle River Baseball Eagle River Wolves Rilen Niclai Arizona State Baseball Arizona State University Bartlett High School Willie Paul Alaska Baseball Tyler Lane
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