PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The POWER extended their winning streak to a season-high 12 games Friday night, defeating the Casa Grande Cotton Kings 5-3.
With the win, Palm Springs advanced to 42-4, tying the franchise record for wins in a season that was set just last year.
The POWER trailed 3-1 entering the bottom of the fourth inning but would rally to tie the game. With one out, Jake Howeth walked and moved to third base on Chad Clark’s double. Austin Barrett then hit a groundball that was misplayed by Cotton Kings shortstop Ashton McCoy, allowing both runs to score and tie the game 3-3.
Palm Springs would grab the lead an inning later. With two outs and the bases empty, T.J. Bennett singled, tying the franchise single-season record for hits in a season with 57. The Arizona-native proceeded to steal second and third base before Tyler Truitt walked. Truitt then triggered a successful double steal, allowing Bennett to score to give the POWER a 4-3 lead.
The red-and-white padded the lead in the sixth inning after Chad Clark reached on an error and ultimately scored on wild pitch.
The narrow victory was the sixth game in the streak to be decided by two runs or less.
Anthony Torres (1-0) earned his first win of the season with three innings of scoreless relief. The converted catcher allowed just two hits and struck out five. The right-hander has not allowed a run all season and now has 11 strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
Trey Higginbotham (0-1) took the loss for the Cotton Kings (22-9), allowing four runs on three hits in five innings.
The POWER now ready themselves for the seventh annual SCCBL-OCCL All-Star Game on Saturday night at Palm Springs Stadium. The festivities commence at 6pm with the Home Run Derby. The game, pitting the best talent from each league against one another, will begin at 7:05pm.
The POWER have a league-high 11 representatives, including pitchers Kyle Crawford, Keaton Hernandez, Mark Lukowski, and Mitch Bluman. Position players include Ryan Jones, Ryan Raslowsky, Brett Sullivan, Michael Massi, T.J. Bennett, Austin Barrett, and Mark Lindsay.
Fans that can’t make it to the game can listen to the broadcast online at pspbb.com.
