By Bobby Ward
Midwest Haymakers vs. Washington Bluesox
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- The first game of opening day featured the Midwest Haymakers taking on the Washington Bluesox. The score was 3-1 in favor of the visiting Bluesox heading into the bottom of the 5th when the haymakers busted out for 4 runs capped off by a 2-out 2-run double by Haymaker first baseman Daniel Oliver. The Haymakers grabbed a late 5-3 lead but the Bluesox came roaring back in the top of the 7th inning with three runs taking advantage of three consecutive walks by Haymaker pitcher Matthew Swilley. Bluesox pitcher J.T. Mickelson retired the Haymakers 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to give his team the 6-5 win.
British Columbia Bombers vs. Toronto Rush
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- The first game on the turf field featured the British Columbia Bombers vs. the Toronto Rush. Rush pitcher Evan Wolf was dominant in his first start of the season only giving up one hit and striking out five over three innings of work. The Rush took a 3-0 lead after a John Johnson bases loaded single in the top of the seventh inning. The Bombers rallied in the bottom of the seventh after a 2 RBI double by Bryce Taylor but it was not enough as they fell to the Rush 3-2.
Palm Springs Chill vs. Coachella Valley Snowbirds
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- Fans at the afternoon game at Palm Springs Stadium saw the Palm Springs Chill take on the Coachella Valley Snowbirds. The Snowbirds jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after an Ethan Szabo single scored Sean Washington. However, that would be all the Snowbirds would get as the Chill exploded for 6 runs in the second inning starting with a Tatsuya Hiramatsu 2 RBI single and ending with 4 runs off of wild pitching from the Snowbirds. The Chill pitching staff held the Snowbirds scoreless after that and cruised to a 6-1 victory.
Canada A’s vs. Alberta Grizzly
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- The second game at Palm Springs Stadium was between the Canada A’s and the Alberta Grizzly. The Grizzly got an RBI single from Mike McGuckin in the top of the first inning. The A’s, however, took a 2-1 lead in the bottom half on a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly. After a three-inning scoring drought for both teams, the A’s added three runs in both the fifth and sixth with Tyler Gurman delivering the decisive blow, a bases loaded 2 RBI single in the bottom of the sixth as the A’s beat the Grizzly 8-1.
Palm Springs Power vs. Oregon Lumberjacks
PALM SPRINGS, Calif.- Local fan favorite, the Palm Springs Power took on the Oregon Lumberjacks in the fifth and final game of the California Winter League opening day. It was the Power who struck first in the bottom of the second; after a bases-loaded walk, Richard Mejia came up with 2-out bases loaded single to give the power an early 3-0 lead. The Lumberjacks would respond in the top of the third with back-to-back RBI hits by Stefan Jordan and Scott Fabre that brought the Lumberjacks within one run. It was a 5-3 game in the bottom of the 5th when California Winter League returnee Tommy Barksdale took Lumberjack pitcher Cody Rocha over the left field fence for a three run home run that extended the Power lead to 8-3. The Lumberjacks made it a close game in the bottom of the seventh but the Power would hang on to win a slugfest 12-9.
