In a championship rematch packed with stars, it was a newcomer who shone brightest for the Inland Valley Pirates.
Despite facing a raucous Palm Springs home environment, Inland Valley Pirates pitcher Ryder Gibson silenced the Power bats in the final three frames and delivered the Palm Springs Power a 2-3 defeat.
Gibson entered the seventh inning with the Power (13-3) leading 2-1, but his one-hit shutdown showing allowed the Pirates’ (4-4) two-run eighth-inning rally to be the difference in a low-scoring showdown.
The Power found an unusual method for scoring their two runs. The first run came in the second inning when Juni Rodriguez blasted a two-out triple down the right-field line and scored on a Moises Escobedo wild pitch during the next at-bat.
Catcher Brett Williams duplicated the exact formula in the fifth inning by hitting a two-out triple and again scoring on a wild pitch, this time thrown by Pirates pitcher Will Stadley
The opportunity for Palm Springs to win a game without an RBI was ultimately squandered in the eighth when the Pirates used four consecutive two-out singles to score two runs and take a 3-2 lead.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Power catcher-turned-center-fielder Owen Michaelson cracked a controversial double into right field. Pirates right fielder Froy Serna appeared to make a prolific diving catch to rob Michaelson, but the ball ultimately left Serna’s glove in what may have been part of a celebration following the catch.
Despite the break, the Power ultimately stranded the tying run, and Ryder Gibson completed his prolific one-hit performance.
The Power will next take the field Tuesday against the Inland Valley Buccaneers. All fans who donate clothing receive free admission as part of Desert Best Friends Closet clothing drive night.
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Stay connected to all the Palm Springs Power action, even when you can’t make it to the stadium! Every gameday will be broadcast live on the official Palm Springs Power YouTube channel. Don’t miss a single pitch of the Power’s quest for their fourth consecutive championship!
The Palm Springs Power are a summer collegiate baseball team playing all home games at Palm Springs Stadium. The Power are a member of the California Premier Collegiate League and the league’s inaugural champions in 2023. Palm Springs has won eleven league championships in 21 seasons of playing baseball in the desert dating to 2004.
Stay up-to-date with the Palm Springs Power at palmspringspowerbaseball.com and by following the Power on Facebook, X,Instagram and Tik Tok.
Fans can buy tickets every gameday at the stadium box office. Palm Springs Stadium is located at 1901 E Baristo Road in Palm Springs.
For more information, visit pspbb.com or call (760) 778-4487.
