By: Andy Humphrey
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Palm Springs POWER got back to their winning ways by defeating the So Cal SKLZ Sunday by a final score of 7-5 at Palm Springs Stadium.
Caleb Wallingford made his first start of the summer for the POWER and was solid in his three innings of work. The left-hander from the University of Memphis allowed one run on just one hit, with one walk and four strikeouts on the night. Ryan Avila provided a long relief appearance for the POWER and earned the win, striking out four batters and allowing one run on three hits in three and a third innings.
After scoring just one run Saturday night, the POWER bats had a much more efficient night Sunday. Harry Shipley led off the first inning with his fifth double of the year. He later scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1.
The score stayed tied until the bottom of the fourth, when Erik Maki delivered a big 2-run RBI single, scoring Jonathan Serven and Ian McLoughlin. Maki finished the night going 2-for-3 and also scored a run in the eighth inning.
The POWER added some insurance runs in the later innings to seal the win. Court Iorg scored on a throwing error to make it 4-2 POWER in the sixth. In the ensuing inning, Tyler Finkler crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Serven. Then in the eighth, Maki and Zach Davis completed a double steal and both scored on a throwing error by the catcher.
Jeremy Alderman came in relief of Avila in the top of the seventh and closed out the victory. The usual starter from Dixie State pitched two and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on five hits and notched his first save of the season.
The non-conference victory improved the POWER’s record to 28-10 overall in 2015. They will travel to Pomona, Calif. Monday for a double header with their SCCBL foe, the Inland Valley Pirates. Game 1 is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and Game 2 is scheduled for 4 p.m.
