The Palm Springs Power hosted a two-game series with the Inland Valley Pirates on a scorching hot weekend at Palm Springs Stadium.
It was so hot that even the wind burned. The games both started at 7 PM, but even with the sunset start time, it was at least 105 degrees at first pitch both days.
The weather conditions along with the small, yet passionate fanbase is unpleasant for away teams and gives the Power a huge home field advantage.
The extreme heat is usual in Palm Springs, as is the Power winning games at home, which they did again two more times.
On Friday night, Palm Springs asserted themselves immediately by scoring four runs in a taxing first inning for the Pirates. Inland Valley pitching has been vulnerable to inconsistency this year, but it was the defense that hurt the Pirates this time.
Inland Valley’s defense made several mistakes, including three painful errors, which gave the opportunistic Power momentum to establish an early and commanding lead.
Palm Springs scored another run in the second to get out to a 5-0 lead. Pirates starter Noe Novella pitched excellently and likely would have only given up one or two runs through his four innings of work if the defense was better.
Corbin Duffield relieved Novella and threw three scoreless innings, stalling the Power’s momentum and giving the Pirates a chance to mount a comeback.
Inland Valley finally capitalized on their offensive opportunities in the seventh. With a runner on second and third, Evan Evita hit a hard single up the middle to open the scoring for the Pirates.
In the bottom of the inning, Inland Valley put up their sixth consecutive scoreless frame, capturing the game’s momentum with a three-run deficit heading into the ninth.
Unfortunately for the Pirates, they could not rally in the eighth, and the Power scored two more runs to finish Inland Valley off.
Game two would be the Pirates’ last, and best chance to earn a win against Palm Springs in the 2024 season.
UNLV’s Alex Navarrete started on the mound for Inland Valley and put on one of the best pitching performances from a Pirates pitcher this year. Navarette gave up two runs in the first inning, but after that, he dominated, throwing four scoreless innings, and allowing only two hits.
The defense made some mistakes with two errors but ultimately did enough to aid Navarette in his dominance.
The Pirates got one run back in the third on a bad throw from the Power third baseman, which allowed Isaiah Walz to score from first base.
In the top of the sixth, Inland Valley got multiple runners on base with two outs for Walz, who hit a hard ground ball into the center to knot the game up at two.
With the game tied, the Pirates brought in Alex Chavez to continue Navarette’s dominance, which he did with a quick 11-pitch, two-strikeout inning.
As Chavez was warming up for his second inning, Walz was injured in a freak accident, causing him to be removed from the game.
The accident forced Inland Valley to put their DH on the field and take Chavez out of the game prematurely.
In response to the Pirates tying the game, the Power brought in Holden Phelps for the last three innings. Phelps was incredible, striking out five batters and allowing only one baserunner in three scoreless innings.
It is hard to blame the Inland Valley hitters for failing to take the lead as Phelps was throwing a firm and accurate 93-MPH fastball with quality offspeed pitches.
The pitching held up for the rest of the inning but ultimately could not hold together and the Power scored six runs in the bottom of the eighth to erase any hope of a Pirates victory in Palm Springs.
Inland Valley was within striking distance on both nights, but could not find the runs needed to finally take the Power down.
Palm Springs lost only one game last year and remains undefeated through 20 games in their 2024 campaign.
The Pirates, who are often at a similar level or even better than the Power, continue to struggle this year due to high roster turnover.
The Pirates and Power will continue to have games this week, but the highlight of next week will be the IVBA’s Sunset Baseball League All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 2nd, at Azusa Pacific. The home run derby will be at 5:30, and the All-Star Game will follow.
Inland Valley Baseball Association 