WHITTIER, CA – The Palm Springs POWER led a sustained attack, scoring in six of the nine innings to beat the So Cal Athletics, 11-1, and capture their third Southern California Collegiate Baseball League title in five years.
James Crockett earned the starting nod for the POWER, giving his team a strong surge toward the SCCBL crown. He struck out five, walked four and allowed one run on five hits, working out of jams on multiple occasions.
Palm Springs, just as they did last night in Game One of the series, jumped out in front early. Ryan Jones singled and Frankie Torres walked to start the second. Both men scored, one on a Chett Zeise RBI-groundout, to give the POWER a 2-0 lead.
Sean Flanagan, who homered in today's game, celebrates with his manager, Harry Gurley.
In the third, Marcus Romero doubled home David Kiriakos to make it 3-0. But the big blow to the Athletics came in the fourth. Reminiscent of the Ryan Garvey shot last night, Sean Flanagan sent a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run that put the POWER ahead by five.
Romero and Jones, who have put up strong numbers against the A’s this season, connected for back-to-back singles to start the fifth. Torres drove them both in with a single to make it 7-0 in favor of Palm Springs.
Scott Simmons, Ryan Santhon, Rob Ross and Josh Pond all saw some action in relief for the POWER, as manager Harry Gurley wanted to get as many players into the game as possible.
“All these guys have played valuable roles all season long, and I wanted them to get in the game,” Gurley said. “This team probably has more depth than any team I have coached.”
Curtis Gomez came off the bench and collected two singles. Donald Glover, who took over in left field for Romero in the seventh, continued his hot hitting of late, driving a double into the left-center gap to bring in a run in the eighth.
Jose Garcia and Justin Cureton also got base hits, as the POWER won their franchise-record 40th win of the season. After starting the season losing two of three games, they have won 39 of their last 42.
“If you told me that we’d be here, after the way the season begin, I would not have necessarily believed it,” President and Owner Andrew Starke said after the game. “Watching this team grow and develop has been a lot of fun.”
The POWER will continue their celebration on the Thursday off day, before hosting the Orange County Waves on Friday, July 29. Friday will be “Christmas in July” at Palm Springs Stadium. Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to a local charity. The POWER will celebrate the spirit with extra prize giveaways.
On Saturday, the SCCBL and Orange County Collegiate League All-Stars will take part in the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, in the last scheduled event at Palm Springs Stadium this summer. Both games will start at 7:05 p.m. (the derby will start at 6:05 p.m.) and can be heard live on www.pspbb.com.
