Service slugger Rilen takes a big cut on his first of two home run swings Saturday. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Since 1963, Mulcahy Stadium has hosted the biggest baseball games in Alaska and been the spot for some of the most memorable moments.
Walking on the field, you can almost feel the history. There’s an if-these-outfield-walls-could-talk element to the ballpark.
On Saturday night, Service Rilen Niclai created some more history after the Service slugger broke the Cook Inlet Conference single-season home record after going yard twice in a 9-3 victory over the Palmer Moose.
With five dingers this season, Niclai became the new CIC home run king after breaking the previous record of four that hadn’t been touched in a quarter-century.
“Breaking that record is crazy to me,” Niclai said with a laugh. “I have no words.”
The 6-foot-2 senior shortstop belted a two-run shot more than 400 feet to dead center in the first inning and then pulled a solo shot down the left-field line in the fourth, when the Cougars hit back-to-back jacks after Kegan Lennox crushed one over the scoreboard in right field.
Palmer Dalton nearly gave Service three homers in the inning after his flyout to the warning track in left field, drawing “ooohhhh” from the crowd.
“We are lucky enough to have a lot of guys hitting the ball really well right now,” said Service head coach Willie Paul, whose team improved to 11-0, the last unbeaten in Alaska high school baseball.
Service head coach Willie Paul and Niclai run play action in a two-step home run celly. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Niclai caps his home run trot by hauling in a bomb after hitting one. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Nobody is hotter than Niclai. Not in Alaska. Maybe not on the planet.
The Arizona State signee went 3-for-3 on Saturday and is batting .833 in the last five games on 10-for-12 hitting with four extra-base hits, seven RBIs and 12 runs scored. When you factor in his four walks and two hit by pitch, his on-base percentage balloons to .889 in his last 18 plate appearances.
“Rilen has been making good adjustments at the plate coming back from his trip,” Paul said. “He has been working on sitting back and going the other way instead of trying to fly everything. Tonight he saw a little bit higher velocity and really let loose on a couple. He is just a dude that loves the opportunity to be on the field and play the game.”
CIC Baseball
Most Home Runs SEASON
5 – Rilen Niclai, Service 2026
4 – Tyler Hasbrouck, Service 1998
4 – Jarred Lewis, East 1999
4 – J.T. Deep, Bartlett 2000
4 – Brian Montalbo, Dimond 2000
A week ago, Niclai traveled to Canada to represent Alaska at a ‘Best of the West’ showcase, and while there hit two home runs.
“Those hits definitely boosted my confidence and energy to bring back home,” Niclai said.
Saturday marked the second time this season that that right-handed power hitter belted two homers in a game; he also did it on April 18 against West at Bartlett High School.
An Anchorage teenager hasn’t done that since 1997, when Service Post 28’s Lon Johannes hit two home runs against Bartlett and two home runs against Chugiak during the American Legion season.
In terms of the CIC, Niclai is the first to hit two home runs in two different games. He hit one homer as a sophomore, three as a junior and now has nine for his high school career, making him the greatest home run hitter in the conference’s 34-year history.
Niclai (right) celebrates with Kegan Lennox moments before Lennox completes back-to-back jacks. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
“When I was rounding the bases, I totally forgot about the record and stuff. I was just happy to keep my team in the game and scoring runs,” Niclai said. “But as soon as I got to the dugout I yelled ‘I broke the record!'”
Almost lost in the fireworks show was the laser by Lennox, who is tied for second in the state with two home runs. The junior left-hander also pitched on Saturday, striking out five batters in four innings to earn the win in relief.
“Going into this season we knew Kegan was going to be one of the most important guys in the lineup,” Paul said. “Every great team has at least one great hitter and every great hitter needs that guy behind him that allows him to see pitches. Kegan is that guy, and he has stepped up in a big way.”
Palmer 003 000 0 – 3 7 3
Service 312 201 x – 9 12 1
Palmer – Craner, Combs (4), Meals (6) and Beal. Service – Precosky, Lennox (4) and Stoops. W – Lennox. L – Craner. 2B – Palmer: Leingang, Beal. Service: Precosky. 3B – Palmer: Craner. HR – Service: Niclai 2, Lennox.
Lennox got all of this pitch Saturday. Photo by Stephanie Burgoon/Alaska Sports Report
Home Run Leaders
2026 Alaska Division I
5 – Rilen Niclai, Service
2 – Caleb Calhoun, Sitka
2 – Chase Sivulich, Wasilla
2 – Kegan Lennox, Service
1 – Cole Lux, Chugiak
1 – Landon Ritter, North Pole
1 – Matthew Schilling, Soldotna
1 – Tyler Kookesh, Juneau-Douglas
1 – Timothy Bridgman, Palmer
1 – Kaden Smith, West
1 – Cody Moore, South
1 – Owen Severson, Dimond
