By: Tanner Myers
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Tuesday evening featured the POWER squaring off against the Inland Valley Buccaneers for the third time this season. Unlike the first two meetings however, the POWER were unable to repeat the previous success against the Bucs and continue their 10 game win streak, dropping the first game of the series 7-2.
Jeremy Alderman started his sixth game of the season for the POWER. Alderman had been on a roll coming into this start but met an Inland Valley team that was able to place hits in almost every gap to elude the POWER defense.
The POWER were able to strike for the first two runs in the bottom of the second courtesy of an Inland Valley throwing error on a Dylan Garcia sacrifice bunt attempt and a Ryan Raslowsky bases loaded RBI walk.
Scoring early wasn’t enough though, as the Buccaneers broke through in the top of the fourth and scored two runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Shamon Moss and Blake Vandegrift, tying the game at two.
Alderman found himself in a dangerous situation in the top of the fifth as Inland Valley loaded the bases with no outs, but were only able to push across one run on a Hershell Gardner sacrifice fly to take a 3-2 lead.
The top of the sixth inning proved to be the end of the Dixie State righty Alderman’s night as Inland Valley tacked on three additional runs. The inning featured RBI doubles by both Kevin Riley and DJ Peters which contributed to a 6-2 lead.
For the fourth consecutive inning, Inland Valley was able to push across a run and make it a 7-2 ballgame.
Catcher Cody Gaertner delivered a two out triple in the bottom of the seventh to bring the POWER fans to their feet but was stranded on board to end the inning.
The POWER defense shined in the top of the 9th inning as Connor Hornsby showed his arm strength, throwing out Matt Majher trying to advance to third on a base hit. Not to be outdone, POWER second baseman Kobe Foppe made a leaping catch to bring the inning to an end.
Jonathan Hopkins was able to finish his 160-pitch complete game effort and strand Raslowsky on second base to end the game. Unfortunately, the 16-game hitting streak Foppe brought into the ballgame was snapped.
The POWER will look to bounce back Wednesday evening as they host the Inland Valley Buccaneers for the second and final game in this midweek series. Wednesday evening is also Family Appreciation night at Palm Springs Stadium featuring $1 admission for all fans, presented by Jack in the Box.
