By: Evan Conn
Palm Springs, CALIF. – After not reaching their season average of 11 runs-per-game in two games combined on Thursday (7), the POWER offense went par for the course with exactly 11 in a sloppy 11-6 victory over SCCBL opponent Inland Valley Bucs Friday night. The game featured nine errors committed by the two teams combined, and both benches had to be warned after bean-balled were traded in the middle innings. In the end, the POWER improve to 12-1 overall on the season and a 2-1 record in conference play.
The POWER offense banged out 10 hits Friday, but it was free bases and defensive miscues by the Bucs that allowed the POWER so many opportunities. In all four innings where the POWER scored multiple runs, the Bucs defense committed multiple errors. Top offensive performers for the POWER included Hayden Schilling (New Mexico) and Zach Grande (Cal State LA), both with a pair of RBI base hits and runs scored. Every batter in the POWER lineup crossed the plate at least once Friday.
On the bump, it was Blake Kearbey (Harris Stowe) getting the start and victory (2-0) for the POWER. The junior right-hander went six-plus innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks, with six strikeouts. Zack Novis (St. Mary’s) came in for Kearbey with two on in the seventh, allowing one to score and recording two outs, before handing off to closer Darin May (Cal Poly Pomona) to end it with an old-school fireman save (2). May made his longest appearance of the summer, finishing the final two 1/3 innings, allowing one run (his first of the summer) on two hits, while striking out two.
Come see the POWER try to sweep the Bucs in the finale of this two-game set Saturday at Palm Springs Stadium. Gates open at 6 PM for another kids $2 Saturday at the stadium, with first pitch around 7:05 PM.
