Palm Springs, Calif. – Palm Springs Stadium was electric today as the California Winter League semifinals unfolded. The first game of the day saw a thrilling matchup between the third-seeded Palm Springs Chill and the second-seeded Canada A’s. The afternoon contest then featured a high-stakes battle between top-seeded Team China and the fifth-seeded Washington Blue Sox.
Both games showcased the intensity and talent of the CWL, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic championship showdown this Sunday at noon.
A’s 5 – 4 CHILL
The No. 2 Canada A’s advanced to the 2025 CWL Championship Game with a 5-4 victory over the No. 3 Palm Springs Chill on Saturday morning.
The A’s offense came out blazing in the first inning, courtesy of three straight one-out hits that came around to score off of Chill starter Ryan Schroeder. The Chill denied the shutdown inning in the top of the second, but only cut the deficit down to two with a bases-loaded walk from A’s starter Donny Goodes, who ran into trouble and was one strike away from getting out of the jam unscathed.
Goodes continued to struggle, allowing seven free bases between the second and third, prompting manager Paul Noce to turn to the bullpen early.
A’s reliever Austin Turley came into the top of the third with bases-loaded and nobody out, allowing all three to score, but all of which were Goodes’ responsibility. A pair of errors by Jorge Colon and Sam Ruta gave the Chill the 4-3 lead after a big boost for the Chill offense heading into the bottom of the third.
Schroeder went in for his third inning of work and an important shutdown inning attempt. Dane Simon got a leadoff single for the A’s, but Schroeder worked two straight outs with the chance to hold the lead for the Chill after the third.
On the first pitch following the second out, Schroeder hung a fastball down the middle for Stan King, who drove a two-run go-ahead home run to dead center, causing the third lead change in just the first three innings.
Turley entered the fourth with a lead and locked down a four-batter shutdown inning. Schroeder worked two clean innings after giving up the lead, but the A’s bullpen kept pace and didn’t allow another run to plate for the rest of the game.
A’s star closer Alejandro Izquierdo entered the game in the fifth, beginning a 37-pitch, nine-out save, only allowing two hits and keeping the Chill offense stalled to hold the one-run lead through the rest of the game.
Izquierdo received his fourth save of the season, Turley took his third win of the year, and the A’s advanced to the title game, set for tomorrow at noon at Palm Springs Stadium.
BLUE SOX 2 – 1 CHINA
In a rematch of the first regular season game, Jimmy Johnson’s five seed Washington Blue Sox squared off against the number one ranked Team China with a trip to the CWL championship on the line.
The Blue Sox started with a bang. Angel Landazuri and Suo Xudi exchanged zeroes in the first then in the second Allen Goodwin took advantage of a Chen Jiaji error at third and reached to lead off the inning. Angus Stayte came up and on the first pitch of the at bat crushed a two run home run over the left field wall to give the Blue Sox a 2-0 lead.
Both offenses stalled as China turned to their bullpen early after two more batters reached against Xudi. Zhou Wei came in with two on and two outs and immediately induced a ground ball to second base. Hu Tian Yuan couldn’t come up with it, leaving every runner safe. Tommy Easley popped out to right field and got China out of the inning.
Wu Hai Zheng took over after Wei loaded the bases with one out. Hai Zheng struck out the first two batters he faced then delivered two scoreless innings before handing it off to Alan Zhang Carter who delivered another two scoreless himself, striking out five. The Blue Sox consistently had baserunners but could not score as the China bullpen held strong.
Angel Landazuri had no room for error and was nearly perfect. He entered the seventh having not allowed a run and had struck out nine over the first six. With three outs left and Aoi Nakaza warming up in the bullpen, Jimmy Johnson trusted his starter and sent Landazuri back out for the seventh.
Yang Jin singled to lead off the inning. A one out Lu Yun RBI double scored the first China run of the game, cutting the lead in half. With the tying run on second, Landazuri struck out Wu Qi Rui and fielded a ground ball from Yuan in front of the mound. Landazuri tossed his glove and the ball to first base in time to record the out and send the Blue Sox to the championship.
The Blue sox took home the win 2-1 and Jimmy Johnson moved on to his third straight championship game. Landazuri was credited with the win and Xudi took the loss.
China’s season ends at 14-4, and The Blue Sox will take on the Canada A’s in the CWL championship on Sunday at 12:00 PM.
The 2025 California Winter League Championship is tomorrow, Sunday, February 16th, at 12 PM at Palm Springs Stadium! After an intense season filled with standout performances and unforgettable moments, it all comes down to this—the biggest game of the year. The league’s top teams will battle for the championship, and fans won’t want to miss a second of the action. With everything on the line, expect high-energy baseball, clutch plays, and a thrilling finish to an incredible season. Be there and witness history in the making!
Fans can also tune in on the California Winter League YouTube to watch every 2025 stadium game live.
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. Palm Springs Stadium is located at 1901 E Baristo Road in Palm Springs.
For more information, visit californiawinterleague.com or call (760) 778-4487.
