PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The POWER overcame their largest deficit of the season Wednesday night in game one of the SoCal World Series, defeating the Orange County Waves 8-6 at Palm Springs Stadium.
After struggling to break through against Waves starter Kevin Knight, the POWER (45-4, 17-3) trailed 6-1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning. The bats would heat up though, as Palm Springs would send ten men to the plate and score seven runs to grab the lead.
Jake Howeth led off the inning with an infield single, and advanced to second base on Ryan Raslowsky’s infield hit. Brett Sullivan then walked to load the bases with no one out. T.J. Bennett came to the plate and walked as well to force in a run. Bennett earned his 38th RBI as Howeth came in to score, setting a new franchise single-season record. Edgar Correia came on to relieve Knight, and induced Chad Clark into a fielder’s choice that forced Raslowsky out at home. A wild pitch then scored Sullivan from third base to make it a 6-3 game. Ryan Jones followed with sharply grounded ball first base that was misplayed by Chris Iriart, allowing Bennett to score and moved Clark to third base. After Jared Theisen pinch ran for Jones, Eric Urry tripled down the left field line, scoring both runners to tie the game 6-6. After Austin Barrett was hit by a pitch, Correia was relieved by Keith Demoragandie. The right-hander walked Michael Massi to load the bases, then surrendered a two-run single to Jake Howeth, giving the POWER an 8-6 lead.
Mark Lukowski came out of the bullpen to pitch the ninth inning for the POWER and retired the side in order for his first save of the season.
Kyle Crawford (6-1) earned the win, allowing two runs in three innings of relief. Correia (0-1) took the loss for the Waves.
With the win the POWER increased their season-best winning streak to 15 games, the third best stretch in club history.
The POWER will look to sweep the SoCal World Series for the second consecutive year when the best-of-three series resumes on Friday at 7:05pm. Every Friday is Dollar Beer Night, with Bud and Bud Light drafts available for just $1. Fans that can’t make it to the game can listen to the broadcast online at pspbb.com
