By Mark Cochran
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Palm Springs POWER defeated the San Diego Force in both games of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Madison High School in San Diego.
The first game was a 7-2 beating where Power starting pitcher Jordan Dreibelbis (Vanguard University) got the win throwing the first complete game of the season for a POWER pitcher.
Dreibelbis went nine innings with seven strikeouts and only allowed two runs.
The POWER lineup was as dominant as always with three solo home runs in the game.
Hunter Stratton (San Diego State) started the scoring with a solo home run in the third inning for the Power. Ryan Mota (Cal Baptist) hit his 10 home run of the season to extend the Power single-season record he currently holds. Justin Wylie also had a solo shot in the ninth to cap the scoring for the Power.
Josh Falco (Chico State University) had a good outing as well going 3-5 with a RBI and a run scored.
In the second game of the afternoon, the POWER defeated the Force 11-10 in a thrilling contest.
This game was a back and forth contest that ended up in the favor of the POWER. The POWER took a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Force would tie it in the second then add four more in the third. The POWER would then tie it in the fourth but nothing was stopping the Force and they retook the lead in the fifth inning and that 10-7 lead would be the score until the ninth inning.
In the ninth, the POWER came roaring back in a big way. Taylor Grace (Michigan State) hit a two-run home run to bring the POWER within one run. Then Justin Wylie (San Diego State) roped a two-RBI double to take the lead 11-10.
In the bottom of the ninth Bryan Menendez (UNLV) entered the game and shut down the Force by striking out the side to win the game.
Ryan Mota hit his second home run of the afternoon and extends his total to 11 on the season.
Skyler Hunter (Purdue) had a couple hits, including a two-RBI single, two stolen bases and a run scored.
The POWER return to action 7:05 p.m. Tuesday night from Palm Springs Stadium against the Arroyo Seco Sentinels.
Photo Credit: Clinton Cole
