By: Evan Schmeizer
Toronto Rush @ Manitoba Northstars (9am Turf)
The Rush and the Northstars exploded for a combined 12 runs on 18 hits as the Northstars emerged victorious 8-5. Toronto took a 2-1 lead after three innings. They added on with two more in the top of the fifth. The Northstars came storming back to take an 8-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Any chance of a Toronto rally was cut short after five innings, thus securing the win for Manitoba. Howard Rodriguez was the big man of the day for the Northstars as he went 2-3 with a titanic solo home run to left field and two total RBIs. The Northstars improve to 2-2-1 and the Rush fall to 3-2.
Washington Bluesox @ Oregon Lumberjacks (11:30am Turf)
The Lumberjacks take down the Bluesox 3-2 to improve to 3-2 and drop the Bluesox to 3-3. Malcolm Smith’s two hits, including a double keyed the come from behind effort for the Jacks/ Brandyn Lee-Lehano kept the Jacks in the game starting the first five innings on the mound allowing one earned run, striking out six, allowing five hits, and walking just one. Chi-Shuen Zhang picked up the win after finishing the final two innings out of the bullpen.
Alberta Grizzly @ Palm Springs Power (10am Stadium)
The Grizzly gave an inspiring, bounce back performance led by their superb pitching staff in a 5-0 win over the Power to improve to 3-2 and drop the Power to 2-2. Ubaldo Romo earned the win after going the first three innings scattering two hits. Wyatt Beddow, Jake Hall, and Brayden Bonner followed out for the bullpen, combining to allow one hit in the shutout. Wataru Kumagai and Jackson Murphy each had two of the 12 hits for the Grizzly along with RBI singles as part of a three-run fourth inning to key the winning effort.
British Columbia Bombers @ Canada A’s (12:30pm Stadium)
The Bombers exploded for six runs in the second inning and four in the sixth to hold off the A’s 11-6 in the second of two games at Palm Springs Stadium. British Columbia improves to 2-2-1 as the A’s fall to 3-3. The Bombers took advantage of three errors as they only recorded seven RBIs on the 11 runs that crossed the plate. Aaron Hurd knocked in three runs while going 2-4, including a double to the left field wall. Scout Knotts had the most impressive day at the plate for the Bombers as he went 3-4 with two doubles and a triple.
The California Winter League resumes play tomorrow with one game on the turf field as the Palm Springs Chill do battle with the Toronto Rush at 9am. It’s Out of towners day at Palm Springs Stadium as the Manitoba Northstars take on the Oregon Lumberjacks at 10am
