PALM SPRINGS – The POWER (8-0) continued their season-opening surge, as they beat the Orange County Waves, 10-6, to stay perfect in 2013.
Austin Barrett marked his return to Palm Springs with a mammoth solo home-run in the fifth inning. Mark Lukowski earned his first win of the year, pitching 3 1/3 innings in relief while allowing only one run.
Palm Springs set the tone of the game early. Five straight batters reached safely to open the bottom of the first before an out was recorded. By the time the inning was over, the POWER had staked starting pitcher Doug Finley to a six-run lead.
The Waves made the game interesting in the fourth inning, scoring five times to chase Finley from the contest. However, Lukowski, Blake Estep and Mark Seyler shut the door over the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing only one run between them.
Palm Springs gave itself some breathing room in the bottom of the fifth. After Barrett’s home run started off the frame, the POWER capitalized on an error at third base to extend the lead to four, which was more than enough cushion for the bullpen.
Palm Springs is back in action on Tuesday when they open their league schedule against Team San Diego. As part of the POWER’s “Two for Tuesday” promotion, fans will receive two-for-one admission, as well as $2 hot dogs, sodas and Budweiser drafts. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Palm Springs Stadium. Fans that cannot make it to the ballpark can tune in on pspbb.com
