In the first game of the playoffs, the Inland Valley Buccaneers took down the top seeded Palm Springs power 2-1 in pitchers duel. With the win, the Buccaneers are only one win away from moving on to the championship round of the playoffs.
Pitcher Brennan Piceno went head to head with the Power’s Jonathan Buckley and both pitchers gave up little offense. The Power jumped out to the 0-1 lead in the on three singles in the second inning. This would be the only hits and run that the Power would get as Piceno would go seven and two-thirds and only allow one walk along with the three singles and run while striking out three. With Piceno keeping the Power’s offense down, the Bucs offense scored just enough to get the win. In the fifth inning, Christian Valdez led off with a leadoff single followed by a double by Monte Montenegro. After the next two batters struck out, Kristian Scott would get a big single to bring in Valdez and Montenegro and give the Bucs the 2-1 lead. That was the Bucs needed as Gerardo Ramirez and Heydan Petrovick would relieve Piceno and shut down the Power with Heydan Petrovick picking up the save for the Bucs.
The Buccaneers look to advance to the championship round on Wednesday night as they travel to Palm Spring Stadium at 7:05 PM. If necessary, game 3 will be on Thursday night at Palm Springs Stadium.