Written by: Joey Cena
The California Winter League action continued on day 16 of the season. The turf field featured Palm Springs Power (6-5) playing the Washington Blue Sox (3-8). Game 1 at Palm Springs Stadium was the British Columbia Bombers (6-5-1) facing the Toronto Rush (5-6). Game 2 on the turf was Palm Springs Chill (6-5) facing the Oregon Lumberjacks (6-5). Finally, game 2 at the stadium featured the Manitoba North Stars (3-7-1) and the Alberta Grizzly (7-3-1).
In the first turf game, it was a thriller between Palm Springs and Washington. Seamus Reese gave the Power an early lead with an RBI double. The Blue Sox responded right away in the bottom of the 1st inning with a bases loaded walk that tied the game 1-1. The Power added on in the 2nd inning with an RBI single from Taylor Meaux and a sacrifice fly from Seamus Reese. It was the Power leading 3-1 heading into the home half of the 2nd inning. Killian Bloat then scored off an error to bring the game within one run. Fast forward to the bottom of the 3rd, when Zach Berg recorded an RBI single to tie the game 3-3. Pitching was available for both teams, so they headed into extra innings tied 3-3. In the top of the 8th inning, Jalen March hit an RBI single to give the Power the lead back. The Sox were held scoreless in the bottom of that inning, giving the Power a 4-3 extra innings win.
In game one at the stadium, the Bombers were led by their starter, Nik Galatas. Galatas was able to work into the 7th inning without allowing any runs. Jordan Schulefand came in the 7th with a couple of guys on and he struck out the two batters he faced to record the save. British Columbia’s offense was led by Aaron Hurd and Garrett Gonzales. Hurd hit a solo home run and Gonzales went 2-3 with an RBI. The Bombers edged out the Rush 2-0.
In the second turf game, it was a high scoring affair. The Chill were leading 8-3 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning. The Lumberjacks were able to put together a rally in the 6th. Shinichiro Ishida had a 2-run single to cut into the Chill lead 8-7. Lazaro Amable then hit a 2 out, 2-run single to give the Lumberjacks a 9-8 lead late. Anthony Pomilia picked up the save striking out one batter in the 7th to secure the 9-8 win over Palm Springs.
In game two at Palm Springs Stadium, Cole Brodnansky and Brett Donaty both had RBI singles in the 2nd inning to give the North Stars a 2-0 lead. Daniel Youngblood hit an RBI double in the 3rd inning to extend Manitoba’s lead 3-0. The North Stars added on two more runs in the 6th to take a 5-0 lead. Brett Taucher tossed six shutout innings, giving up just 3 hits for Manitoba, recording 10 strikeouts. Taucher’s second double-digit strikeout outing this season. Manitoba beat the Grizzly 5-0 on Friday afternoon.
The California Winter League continues tomorrow with four games. The Canada A’s face the Oregon Lumberjacks on the turf field at 9:00 a.m. The Toronto Rush take on the Washington Blue Sox at Palm Springs Stadium at 10:00 a.m. The second turf game at 11:30 a.m. features the British Columbia Bombers and the Manitoba North Stars. Finally, Palm Springs Power will play Palm Springs Chill at 12:30 p.m. at Palm Springs Stadium.
All games at the stadium are available on YouTube on the California Winter League YouTube channel. Tomorrow’s promotion at the stadium is suds on Saturday. You can get a beer for just $2 at the concessions stand. For more information about promotions, standings, and the schedule, visit californiawinterleague.com.
