COMPETITIVE MATCH-UPS SHAKE UP CWL STANDINGS
By: Mike DiBucci
Palm Springs, Calif. –The seventh day of the CWL season got underway with yet another competitive game at the complex’s Auxiliary Field. The Bay Area Bootleggers, who were trying to bounce back from yesterday’s tough loss, went head-to-head against the Palm Springs Power. After both teams scored a run in the 2nd inning, the contest went into the 6th at a standstill. The Bootleggers’ Steven Sunday hit a solo shot, his first of the season, in the top of the inning to break the tie. In the bottom half inning, the A’s Ian Hagenmiller responded with his second solo HR of the game to knot it up, then Cameron Johnson crossed the plate later in the inning to give Canada the lead. Kyle Pisano came on for the save, securing the Power’s second straight victory. Palm Springs Power (2-3) defeat Bay Area Bootleggers (2-3-1), by a score of 3-2.
The stage was set for 10am at Palm Springs Stadium for the contest between the Palm Desert Coyotes and the New York Colonials. There was a lot of buzz on the CWL complex before the first pitch, as the Colonials were the only undefeated team left in the league. In the top of the 3rd frame the Coyotes stringed together three hits and ended up scoring three runs, going up 4-0. The Colonials struck back in the bottom of the 4th by adding one, but the Coyotes never let up. They tallied 14 total hits and handed the Colonials their first loss of the season. Palm Desert Coyotes (4-2) defeat the New York Colonials (4-1), by a score of 7-2.
The Toronto Rush and the Oregon Lumberjacks were set for battle, meeting at the Auxiliary Field with first pitch set for 11am. Both teams were looking to stop the bleeding as they each were currently on a two game skid. The Rush jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top on the 2nd after Marcus Blackmon tripled and scored Shunta Kamoshida from first. After an unearned run crossed the plate in the fourth, it was anybody’s ballgame heading into the 6th with a score of 1-1. Issei Washizaki changed that quickly as he crushed a two-run HR, his first of the season, giving his squad a 3-1 lead. The Rush were able to hold off the Lumberjacks threat in the bottom frame, leaving the bases loaded, ultimately winning the game. Toronto Rush (3-3) defeat Oregon Lumberjacks (2-3), by a score of 3-1.
A large and energetic crowd was on hand for the 12:30pm game at the main field between the Manitoba North Stars and the Midwest Haymakers. After solid starting pitching from both teams, the North Stars drew first blood by scoring two in the top of the 4th. After a few strong defensive plays, the North Stars kept the Haymakers off the board heading into the 7th. They then added another run for a bigger cushion and ending up shutting out the Haymakers to take the win. Manitoba North Stars (3-1-1) defeat Midwest Haymakers (2-3),by a score of 3-0.
The days’ fifth and final game scheduled at 1:30pm at the Auxiliary Field was a matchup between the Palm Springs Chill and the British Columbia Bombers. The game got off to a fast start with both squads scoring one in the first inning. The Bombers were clinging to a 2-1 lead going into the top of the 7th, when the Chill rallied for four runs, going up 5-2. They put together a rally of their own in the bottom of the inning, but got shut down after putting up two runs. Palm Springs Chill (3-1-1) defeat British Columbia Bombers (2-3-1) by a score of 5-4.
CWL action continues tomorrow with the Midwest Haymakers (2-3) versus the Oregon Lumberjacks (2-3) at 10:00am at Palm Springs Stadium, followed by the Washington Blue Sox (1-4) going head-to-head with the Manitoba North Stars (3-1-1) at 12:30pm.
Tomorrow is also “Out of Towners Day” where anyone with an out of state identification within the United States gets $2 admission into the ballpark.
