After losing game one of their doubleheader against the Palm Springs Power, the Inland Valley Pirates needed to do all they could to win the second game, to give themselves a clear path to the playoffs.
Unlike the first game, it was the Pirates who struck first in game two. Esteban Olazaba was hit by a pitch, and Isaiah Walz crushed a double to left to put two runners in scoring position with no outs.
Vuaghn Coleman took advantage of the opportunity by singling to right to bring both runners in.
The Pirates struck again in the second and third. Jordan Viramontes hit a deep two-out double and was subsequently driven in by Mason Greenhouse in the second.
In the third inning, Darin Osterloh grounded out, but Coleman was able to score. With the score now at 4-0, the Pirates were clearly in control.
Game one of the day was very long, but this game was flying by because of the quick work of Pirates’ starter Andrew Phillips.
Andrew Phillips was absolutely dominant. Over his first five innings, Phillips struck out five, allowed zero runs, and only gave up one hit.
Phillips finally gave up a run in the 6th inning after issuing a walk that was doubled in by Blake Conrad. Phillips left the game after the sixth, finally giving the Power some hope that they could break the game open.
The Power would chip away once again in the seventh, this time against Pirates reliever Chris Hernandez. Hernandez issued a leadoff walk that would eventually score with two outs after Garrett Bevacqua hit a single through the middle.
As the Power finally got some offensive momentum, they managed to stifle the Pirates’ offense. From the 4th inning on, the Power impressively shut out the Pirates. Even though their pitching was performing well, they still needed two runs in the ninth to tie the game.
In the top of the ninth with their backs against the wall, the Power found a way to rally. Palm Springs hit two singles to lead off the inning, and an errant throw brought one of the runners in with only one out on the board.
A Matt Chavez pinch-hit Sacrifice Fly brought in the tying run, a crushing blow for the Pirates. Though they were able to get out of the inning, the Pirates had lost their offensive momentum and could not muster another run.
In the top of the 10th, the Power found another run, and they were able to make quick work of the Pirates in the bottom half of the inning.
The Power swept the doubleheader over the Pirates, meaning that the rivals split the season series.
The loss guarantees the Power a spot in the playoffs and means that the Pirates need to win out and have the Legends lose one of their final games.
Inland Valley Baseball Association 