By Kurt Martin
PALM SPRINGS, CA — Coming off of a huge win last night where the POWER scored 17 runs, the POWER won on Father’s Day by a score of 4-0.
Alex Mistuloff (Chico State) started the game and dazzled through six innings only allowing one run while walking two and punching out five. He’s now tossed 10 shutout innings striking out 8 to begin his POWER season. After the game, Mistuloff said he was “a little bit nervous” about his first start on the year but his plan “was to just throw strikes. In the first inning I was a little nervous but I was fine”.
But Mistuloff wasn’t the only standout from the POWER pitching staff. Reliever Mitch Bluman (SDSU) came in and pitched two innings of shutout ball while striking out five of the six batters to greet him on Sunday night.
Closer Doug Finley (CSU-Pueblo) finished things off in the ninth as he struck out the side to crush any last Halo hopes of making a comeback. As a matter of fact, the POWER pitching staff struck out 10 of the last 12 batters to face them in this game including the last eight batters they squared off with.
But the arms weren’t the only story in the victory tonight. Palm Springs knocked out 13 hits in the game lead by Charlie Madden and Hunter Bening’s outstanding nights.
Charlie Madden (Mercer) went 2-4 on the night crushing a big double in the bottom of the second that brought around the first run of the game. The Madden RBI ended up being the only run the red and white would need for the entire night.
But Madden wouldn’t be the only man to help the POWER tonight. Hunter Bening (NW Florida St.) had his own double in the bottom of the third inning that extended the POWER lead from 1-0 to 3-0 and gave starter Alex Mistuloff a comfortable lead to pitch with.
The POWER have the day off tomorrow but return to action on Tuesday against the Inland Valley Buccaneers. Tuesday is also dollar beer night where all draft Bud and Bud Lights are just $1. Starter Bill Olsen will try and rebound from his last start where he was tagged for four runs in his first and only loss on the year. But the POWER will not be totally out of action on Monday. On Monday, POWER players will be signing autographs for fans at Wet n’ Wild between 11 am-2 pm.
