PALM SPRINGS, CA – The POWER crushed the San Francisco Seagulls 12-1 Sunday night, winning the three-game set against their opponents from the California Collegiate League. The win improves Palm Springs to 34-4 with four games left before the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League playoffs begin on July 26th.
The POWER put across runs in every inning except the sixth, getting things started on a set-play double steal with runners at first and third in the first inning. Frankie Torres (JR, Vanguard University) broke from first and got in to a rundown, allowing Marcus Romero (SR, Southern Utah University) to come home from third before Romero could be tagged out for the final out.
The POWER ran all over San Francisco tonight, especially off of Seagulls starter Mark Rajeski. Palm Springs swiped nine bags, six of them off the starter, including three steals of third base, in just three innings.
Six of Palm Springs’ 15 hits went for extra bases, helping the POWER put an astounding 12 runs across in total.
Scott Simmons improved to 4-0 Sunday
The POWER pitching staff was remarkable as well. Starter Scott Simmons (JR, Mt. San Jacinto College) put down five Seagulls on strikes and allowed no free passes in his five-inning performance. He picked up the win, improving to 4-0 on the season. The relief corps was even stronger; Rob Ross (SR, Vanguard University), Ryan Santhon (JR, California State University, Los Angeles), and Josh Pond (JR, California State University, San Bernardino), went a combined four-innings of shutout ball, allowing only one base hit, a weakly hit looping single off the handle of Peter Quigley’s bat. The relievers finished the game retiring 11 straight Seagulls.
All in all, the POWER pitchers combined to give up just one run on six hits. They struck out 12 batters and walked none.
The POWER finish up play in the SCCBL regular season this week with two against the Inland Empire Aces on Tuesday and Wednesday and two against the Thrashers Friday and Saturday before back-to-back days off in preparation for the postseason. All four games are at home with the first pitch for each game coming at 7:05 from Palm Springs Stadium.
With a victory this evening as well, the So Cal Athletics of the SCCBL have clinched the second seed in the postseason tournament, setting up the showdown between the league rivals.
Game one of the championship series will be Tuesday, July 26th at 7:05 at Palm Springs Stadium as the POWER host the Athletics. Gates open at 6:00 pm. So Cal will host game two at Rio Hondo Community College in Whittier, CA on Wednesday July 27th. The POWER will host game three, if necessary, on Thursday at 7:05 back in Palm Springs.
Both POWER home games in the playoffs with be $1 Beer Nights at Palm Springs stadium; all Bud and Bud Light draft beers will cost just a buck.
All POWER games can be heard live on www.PSPBB.com, with select games simulcast on NewsTalk 920 KPSI Palm Springs.
