PALM SPRINGS, CA – The Palm Springs POWER’s David Kiriakos went 3-for-4 with two stolen bases and three runs scored, including the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the eighth, as the Southern California Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars defeated the Orange County Collegiate League All-Stars 6-5 at Palm Springs Stadium.
Kiriakos reached base on a walk by OCCL pitcher Rick Plascencia with one out in the eighth inning. He then proceeded to steal second and third causing an errant throw from catcher Matt Hill that allowed him to score.
LA Thrashers pitcher Ethan Mack got the win despite struggling in the top of the eighth as he allowed the OCCL to score two runs and tie the game up at five apiece.
Diamond Valley Sabers pitcher Danny Borst closed the door in the ninth, getting the OC Waves George Hanna to fly out to center field to earn the save.
Palm Springs pitcher Matt Anderson started the game for the SCCBL, striking out two batters in a flawless first inning.
This is the second-straight one-run victory for the SCCBL after they knocked off the OCCL 3-2 in extra innings last summer.
Prior to Saturday night’s game, Team San Diego’s Manny Cardeiro defeated Palm Springs’ Ryan Jones in a tie-breaking swing-off to win the 2012 Home Run Derby.