PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Matt Acosta (Riverside CC) won his second start of the season as the POWER defeated the So. Nevada Bulls for their seventh win in a row.
The Bulls made things difficult early with a leadoff double from Austin Taft who later scored on a Garrett Christiansen sac fly.
Palm Springs did not stay behind long. Led by a Willie Bourbon (Northwestern) double, the POWER turned in an early rally to score five runs on three hits. Cole Danielson (COD) would also notch a single before Cody Ducote would bring two runs in with a standup double. Everyone would get to bat in the inning.
The third inning would be eerily similar as Bourbon would lead off action again with a base hit to right field. Brock Hale out of BYU would follow up with another single. The Bulls put the next two batters down on strikes but a two-out pitching meltdown would ensue in Garrett Christiansen. Danielson, Posas and Ducote would all be walked in order, and John Mauldin would get a two-run double to make the score 9-1.
Conner Radcliff out of Samford would replace Acosta to start the sixth. He would put three batters down in order but opened up the seventh allowing the first two Bulls to walk. Ryan Avila (Riverside CC) came in relief only to have his first opponent Talen Lebaron reach on an error and load the bases. Casey Moses hits a two-RBI double in the next at bat. Avila would get out of trouble but not before the Bulls score four and make the score 9-5 POWER.
In the eighth inning, Southern Nevada had one more run in them, when Austin Taft would place a perfect line drive to the left field corner, and he would hustle around the bases and score an inside the park homer. Avila would retire the rest of the side and close out the game.
Matt Acosta (2-0) will get the win and his teammate Ryan Mota will get the save. The POWER advance to 8-1 on the season.
Tomorrow, Palm Springs will host the Bulls in the second of the two-game set, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05. Tomorrow is also Family Appreciation Night brought to you by Jack-in-the-Box, where all tickets are just $1.00.
2016 POWER Schedule and Ticket Info
