PALM SPRINGS, CA — For the second night in a row, the Palm Springs POWER (2-0) used a late offensive explosion to pull away from the Tucson Nationals (1-2-1), winning a 14-7 shootout Saturday night at Palm Springs Stadium.
Palm Springs High alum Tyler Truitt smashed a three-run homer as part of a five-run 8th, catapulting the POWER to a 2-0 record. Truitt, who entered the game as a replacement for the injured Jake Howeth, finished the game 1-1 with 4 RBI.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the POWER as they fell behind 4-0 after a half inning of play. Palm Springs responded in the second inning taking advantage of four walks issued by Nationals starter Juan Vega (0-1). Ryan Raslowsky keyed the rally with a two-out, two-run single.
Kyle Crawford (1-0) came on in relief for the POWER in the third inning and settled things down, retiring nine Nationals in a row at one point. Crawford surrendered just two runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking one.
Palm Springs battled back to tie the game in the fifth inning. T.J. Bennett led off the frame with a home run to bring the POWER to within 6-5, and Anthony Lombardo followed up with a triple. Lombardo would come around to score on Reagan Fowler’s fielder’s choice.
The POWER took the lead for good in the sixth inning, sending eight men to the plate and scoring three times. With the bases loaded and one out, Nationals reliever Bryce Schumilas walked Fowler to force in the go-ahead run.
The POWER will go for the series sweep Sunday night at 7:05pm. The first 200 fans will receive a free POWER T-shirt. If you can’t make it to the ballpark, you can listen online at pspbb.com or on the radio on Team1010 KXPS.
