With Super Bowl Sunday in the rearview mirror, the California Winter League started its final week of action with four games on Monday. In the first game of the day, the Manitoba North Stars beat the Palm Springs Power 10-6 at the turf field. Manitoba scored seven runs in the second inning, and a two-out fielding error from the Power led to a hit parade for the North Stars. Second baseman Tyson Dent hit a home run after shortstop Dalton Thomas reached on the error. Minutes later, Manitoba (12-2) catcher Nathaniel Lai hit a three-run home run to left field.
Despite the second inning, the Power took an early lead thanks to shortstop Jason Leon’s three run home run in the first inning. Palm Springs (5-9) also scored a run in the third, fifth, and seventh inning to keep it close. After little offensive action in the middle innings, the North Stars added three in the sixth inning. Nathaniel Lai’s two-run double gave the 6-foot-7 catcher five RBI for the game. On the mound, Palm Springs starter Angel Acosta was tagged with the loss while Manitoba starter Noah Burkey won the decision. Burkey pitched five total innings. The North Stars will play the Palm Springs Chill at 12:30 p.m. at Palm Springs Stadium on Tuesday. On the turf field, the Power will face the Oregon Lumberjacks at 11:30 a.m.
After a half-hour break, the second game of the day at the turf field delivered a 3-2 win for the Chill over the Alberta Grizzly. Pitching set the tone for the game, with Chill reliever Cipriano Rivera going five innings after starter Myles Rothfarb pitched a scoreless first inning. Justin Charles earned a save for the Chill (5-9) after entering in a close, 3-2 game in the seventh inning. The Chill were tied 1-1 with the Grizzly (5-9) in the fifth inning when right fielder Jake King scored catcher Evan Leibl and designated hitter Maxwell Elliott with a single. Despite a sixth inning sac fly from substitute CJ Cepicky, the Grizzly were put down in short order in the seventh inning and lost. Grizzly reliever Kenny Stewart took the loss while Rivera took the win for the Chill. Both teams play again on Tuesday. The Chill will play the North Stars at 12:30p.m. at the stadium while the Grizzly will face the British Columbia Bombers at 9:30 a.m. on the turf field.
The Blue Sox started the day with a big win over the Oregon Lumberjacks with the bulk of the best pitchers on the Blue Sox. Ben De Rosiers, Fu-Yan Jhang, and Josh Nielson combined for ten strikeouts against Lumberjacks hitters with only three hits allowed and no runs in a shutout win, 14-0. Nico Guerra and Fran Gross had perfect performances, being able to reach on base through all their at bats and combined for seven hits, two walks, and six RBIs. Christian Zellner, who had been solid for the Lumberjacks started on the mound, but had issues off the get go with two runs allowed in the first inning. Mason Carrier, and Yi-Ta Chen would later come into relief, but it was too late by end of the affair. Blue Sox keep pace with North Stars, just a half a game behind and what might set up a season finisher in two days, but have to get through the Canada A’s. The Lumberjacks will try to get back on track against the Power at the AUX field tomorrow in the second game taking place there.
The British Columbia Bombers and Canada A’s closed out the stadium games on Monday and the Bombers won 10-2. The 6-7 Bombers had won their last three and were facing Chas Graham on the mound for Paul Noce’s A’s. Stan Cliburn’s offense got to work immediately. In the bottom of the first the Bombers scored eight runs on nine hits with the first six batters reaching before an out was recorded. Twelve batters hit in the first and a two-run home run by Jack Halloran in the second inning gave the Bombers a 10 run lead. Cade Flaherty started on the game on the mound and was dominant. Flaherty struck out eight in five shutout innings and allowed just one hit. The A’s scored both their runs in the sixth when Dom Bertino came in from the bullpen. Cliburn made a mid-inning pitching change to Will Merriott who struck out five batters over the last inning and two thirds to close out the game. The Bombers improved to 7-7 and Canada fell to 5-9. Graham was credited with the loss and Flaherty received his second win of the year. British Columbia will head to the auxiliary field on Tuesday to play against the Alberta Grizzly at 9am and the A’s will take on the Blue Sox at 10am at Palm Springs Stadium.
Tuesday at Palm Springs Stadium is 2-for-Tuesday, where fans can get two tickets for admission into the game for the price of one ticket!
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Fans can also catch every 2026 stadium game live on the Bally Sports Live App, ensuring supporters can follow the action from anywhere.
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 950 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.
