Palm Springs, Calif. – The Alberta Grizzly and Washington Blue Sox faced off in the California Winter League (CWL) 2024 Championship on Sunday as winners of the International and American Divisions respectively. The Blue Sox entered the game as winners of 14 consecutive games, but the Grizzly stymied their streak and clinched the CWL crown with a 5-3 win.
David Pentecost got the start for the Blue Sox. He worked around a leadoff double in the top of the first to keep things scoreless before his offense came to the plate. Alejandro Lara then started the scoring early for the Blue Sox, doubling in Samuel Rowan to put Washington up 1-0 in the first.
Pentecost carried that lead into the third, when he ran into trouble. Gavin Stupienski clocked a double to the wall, bringing home Adam Green and Ben Gbur to catapult the Grizzly ahead 2-1. Grizzly starter Wyatt Rowland kept that lead through his exit after three innings on the mound.
Rowland, who eventually earned the win, cleared the way for Jimi Welsher, who sparkled out of the bullpen. Welsher set down 10 straight Blue Sox hitters, giving his offense a chance to add support. The Grizzly capitalized on a pair of Washington errors in the fifth inning that let in two more runs, giving Alberta a 4-1 lead.
That score remained on the board until Lara recorded his second RBI double of the afternoon in the eighth inning, this time off of Lun Zhao, making it 4-2 headed into the final frame. Alberta again utilized consecutive Blue Sox errors to supply a much-needed insurance run and extend the Grizzly lead to 5-2.
The Grizzly called on Fu-Yuan Jhang to close it out, but the Blue Sox didn’t go down without a fight. Bryson Gandy reached via an error to start the bottom of the ninth inning, and with two outs, Phil Dimas knocked him in with an RBI single to make it 5-3. With the tying-run at the plate, Jhang blew one past Rowan to strike him out and secure a Grizzly championship.
Stupienski led Alberta with a 3-4 day and two RBI while Remy Heckman added two hits for the Grizzly. Rowan powered the Blue Sox with two hits and two runs.
Palm Springs Stadium will now prepare for the Palm Springs Power season this summer. The Power open their 2024 season against the SoCal Mavericks at 7 PM on Friday May 31st with a post game fireworks show. For more information and a full season schedule release in the Spring visit palmspringspowerbaseball.com.
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The California Winter League is the longest running professional showcase league of its kind. Since its inaugural season in 2010, the CWL has seen over 850 of its players sign professional contracts. Each year, it is the premier destination for free agent baseball players who are looking to be scouted and signed.
Stay up-to-date with the California Winter League at californiawinterleague.com or by following the CWL on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Fans can buy tickets every gameday at the stadium box office. Palm Springs Stadium is located at 1901 E Baristo Road in Palm Springs. Fans can also tune in on the California Winter League YouTube to watch every 2024 stadium game live.
For more information, visit californiawinterleague.com or call (760) 778-4487.
