Riverside, Calif. – The Palm Springs Power traveled to California Baptist University on Saturday for game one of the California Premier Collegiate League playoff against the Inland Valley Legends. Game one of the best of three series went to the Legends after a come from behind 6-4 win to take a 1-0 series lead into Palm Springs on Sunday.
The Power took an early lead over the Legends with two runs each in the third and fourth innings. Kaden Durazo scored the first run on a throw down attempt by Inland Valley’s catcher Christopher Cardenas trying to catch Alex Jasso’s delayed steal attempt. Durazo took off immediately and was safe at home.
After scoring two more runs in the fourth, Lefty Sam Burges worked through a clean fifth before running into trouble an inning later. The first three Legends batters of the inning all reached and two errors resulted in runs for Inland Valley. A two out RBI single by Cardenas tied the game at four in the sixth.
The Power went to the bullpen to relieve Burgess after six innings over which he only allowed two earned runs. Joe Godoy took over in the seventh and was credited with the loss. He allowed two earned runs in two thirds of an inning before getting replaced by Keith Williams.
The Power offense stressed Legends pitching throughout the game. They brought the tying run to the plate twice over the final three innings. In the ninth, Juni Rodriguez reached on an error and with two outs, Tyler Crawford pinch hit for Ramone Valenzuela. A ground ball off the foot of Legends pitcher Mason Sanchez, which resulted in a close play at first, was the final out of the game. Geoffrey Mcarthur received the win for the Legends.
With the win, Inland Valley holds a 1-0 series lead in the CPCL best of 3 championship series. The next game will be at Palm Springs Stadium on Sunday at 4pm with a possible game three that will take place shortly after the conclusion of game two if the Power tie the series.
The Power will need to win both games in Palm Springs on Sunday to win their fourth CPCL title in a row, and the Legends need to win just one game to claim their first title. Gates will open to the public at 3:30pm on Saturday .
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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.
