Power Take Game 1 of the Playoffs – One Win from League Title
The Palm Springs POWER took game one of the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League Championship Series Tuesday night at Palm Springs Stadium, winning by a score of 6-1.
The Power’s Nick Baker (SO, California State University, Chico) took the mound for the tenth time this season… looking for his tenth victory. However, the Athletics struck first, scoring in the first inning on back-to-back hits. Christian Ramirez’ double scored leadoff hitter Greg Hamrock to make it 1-0.
The POWER wasted little time responding. The home team put together two singles to cover the corners in the 2nd inning. Ryan Garvey (FR, University of Southern California) then crushed a pitch from A’s starter Jacob Valenzuela to deep right field… for a three-run opposite field home run. That made the score 3-1 POWER and gave them a lead for good.
The POWER would score six straight runs, adding another in the third, this time on an RBI single from POWER co-captain Marcus Romero (SR, Southern Utah University). In the fourth, Garvey struck again with an RBI triple. A sacrifice fly from Zack Haley (SR, Liberty University) made the score 6-1. Garvey finished 2-for-3 with a homer and the triple. He scored twice and knocked in four RBIs.
Nick Baker allowed a baserunner in all but one inning. However, he worked out of jams all night. The Palm Desert High School graduate didn?t allow a run after the first. His eight strong innings earned him a franchise record tenth win. Tony Guerra (JR, California State University, San Bernardino) came in to close out the ninth, putting up a perfect frame, with a strikeout.
The POWER are now just one win away from their third SCCBL crown. The players are happy with the win but hardly content. ?It?s always good to get the first one, but the job isn?t done,? said POWER co-captian Chett Zeise (SR, University of Iowa). ?We have to keep playing the way we have been all summer. Tomorrow is a new day, and the Athletics are a good team. We have to come out ready to play. We still have one more big one to get.”
Romero had two hits in the ballgame, continuing his consistent solid play for the POWER. While cautious, he is definitely confident. ?Their backs are against the wall. We will go into tomorrow with the same mentality as today and hopefully bring the trophy back to Palm Springs.”
So Cal will host Game Two at Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, CA tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. Lefthander James Crockett (Grad., Southern Utah University) will get the nod for the POWER.
The POWER will host Game Three, if necessary, on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
