By: Kade Overton
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. ~ On the road for a Sunday double header the Palm Springs Power got the job done against the San Diego Force. The Father’s Day fun got started in game one as the Power won with a final score of 1-0. It was the closest margin of victory the Power had all season. Then, in game 2 the power only bent a little against the Force’s pressure as they won 7-4.
In a couple of close games the key to the two wins was the execution of the starting pitchers. The game one starter, Seth Hougesen, went 6 innings pitched and didn’t give up a run. Hougesen dominated the Force’s lineup all the way through as he struck out 12 along the way. Then, in the 9th innings Darin May finally got his first opportunity to get a save on the season and he didn’t disappoint as he got the three outs to finish the game.
The second game starter Travis Booth found himself in a bit of a hole as he gave up 2 runs in the first inning. After that though, it was all business as Booth went on to pitch 7 innings and striking out eight Force batters along the way. Booth got the win in game two and his fourth of the season.
The lone run in the first game was on a sequence we’ve seen many times this year. Brett Young got things started by drawing a leadoff walk. Hobbs Nyberg struckout, but not before Young stole second base. Then a Jeramy Gains sacrifice fly would make it 2 outs with Brett Young on third. Finally, Jayden Kerinan would come up to the plate and hit a 2 out RBI rouble to score the only run of the games.
In the bottom of the 9th of game 1, the Force were threatening to tie the game after Darin May gave up a walk and a single to put a runner on third. With one out in the inning, Brett Young would make the play of the year (so far). A pop fly to straight away centerfield, Young caught the ball and proceeded to throw a frozen rope into Jayden Kiernan to beat the runner who had tagged up. Kiernan would secure the out with the tag at home and Power would win the game and improve to 15-0.
It was hard to top the end of game one, but the Power still had some business to take care of in the second game. Early in the first inning, after a couple of walks the Power had the bases loaded. Matt Green hit a ball up the middle to show off his clutch gene to his father who was watching in the crowd during this Father’s Day game. Brett Young would come around and score to put them up 1-0. Another walk would bring in Abinanti to make it 2-0. The Power would add on 2 more in each the 4th and the 7th innings and end with a final score of 7-4.
The Power return home on Tuesday to take on the Force at 7:05PM. The Power will celebrating Cancer Awareness Night at the ballpark. It is also $2 Tuesdays, where all bud and bud light pints are just $2 at Palm Springs Stadium. Come join us and cheer on the Power as they look to improve to 17-0 which would tie and all time best. They would join the 2006 and 2017 Power teams to also reach that mark.
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