By: Andy Humphrey
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The SCCBL Championship Series kicked off at Palm Springs Stadium Friday, but the Palm Springs POWER were unsuccessful in grabbing an opening game victory as they fell to the Orange County Riptide by a score of 6-1.
As the designated visiting team for Game 1, Palm Springs found the scoreboard first in the top half of the opening inning. Ryan Raslowsky led off with a single and later scored on a Miles Bice RBI single.
But the Riptide came roaring back in the bottom of the second with four runs on three hits. Zach McLeod (2-for-4, 3 RBI) and Brandon Munoz (1-for-4, 2 RBI) both drove in runs, as the Riptide offense forced POWER starter Tyler Wells to leave the game early.
The Riptide threatened to score again in the third, getting the bases loaded with no one out. However, POWER reliever Angel Delgado entered the game and escaped the jam without allowing a run. Delgado continued his long relief appearance with a solid showing, tossing four full innings and allowing no runs on one hit with six strikeouts.
The POWER bats tried to get going all night, but mustered only one run on seven hits against Riptide starter Eric Carter. Carter delivered eight innings in his third start of the season and struck out four POWER batters. POWER second baseman Kobie Foppe was able to grab multiple hits in the game, going 2-for-4.
The Riptide took a 1-0 championship series lead with the win. The Riptide and POWER will face off in Game 2 Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Palm Springs Stadium. Luke Barker will throw for the POWER, facing off against Cassius Hamm for the Riptide. It will also be $2 Kids Saturday at Palm Springs Stadium presented by Desert Air.
