By: Jack Grimse
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.-
Rebounding from Monday’s loss in game two, the Palm Springs POWER had everything clicking on Tuesday evening against the Inland Valley Pirates to win their 30th game of the season.
After splitting a doubleheader in Pomona, the POWER and Pirates went back to Palm Springs for the start of a midweek series. Angel Landazuri made his second start in a POWER uniform, and the righty from UC Riverside had his best stuff of the campaign so far.
He didn’t necessarily need it, as the bats provided more than ample run support. It all started in the second inning, when Dylan Garcia and Cody Gaertner scored on a single by Harry Shipley.
Four more runs came in for the POWER in the third inning, as Dillan Smith and Miles Bice blasted doubles to the gap to increase the lead. Those two were the first of five straight hits, as Connor Hornsby, Garcia and Gaertner added singles.
In both the fourth and fifth innings the POWER scored two runs, making it a 10-0 lead. Ryan Raslowsky led off the fourth with a double, and Daniel Sander tripled to begin the fifth.
Finally getting on the board in the seventh inning were the Pirates, on a pinch-hit bloop single into shallow right field by Sergio Robles. There was an opportunity to add more, but Landazuri struck out Jeff Nellis to end the inning, leaving runners stranded at first and second base.
Matt Valencia replaced Landazuri after seven, not allowing any runs over the course of a two-inning relief stint. Landazuri only surrendered a run, striking out four in the process. Crucially, he only walked one batter.
Wednesday night will be the conclusion of SCCBL league play, as the POWER take on the Pirates. Thanks to Jack in the Box, everyone gets in for just a dollar on Family Appreciation Night at Palm Springs Stadium. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
