The most consequential CPCL game of the year took place on Wednesday at Scolinos Field in a winner-take-all matchup between the Inland Valley Legends and the San Diego Waves.
Both teams had their aces on the mound, with the Legends starting Gavin Reeve and the Wave starting Peter Knorr.
San Diego came ready to play, scoring two runs in the first inning behind four singles and a double.
The Wave matched their first-inning success in the next frame, scoring another two due to a rough defensive error from Inland Valley.
On offense, the Legends couldn’t get anything going. Despite boasting one of the more impressive lineups in the CPCL, Inland Valley struggled to figure out Knorr.
The Legends did have a chance in the first inning after getting two runners on with no outs, but they ran into an out at home after a passed ball bounced straight off the backstop back to the catcher. There was still a runner in scoring position, but the next two batters struck out.
After the first inning, Knorr made quick work of Inland Valley and faced the minimum five times in his next six innings.
The Wave defense was excellent, turning two textbook double plays behind their starting pitcher. The infielders were very active as Knorr only struck out three batters out of the 21 outs he made.
Knorr’s final line was seven scoreless innings with two hits and one walk. Knorr lowered his season ERA to a team-best 1.45 and got his WHIP down to an incredible 0.78.
After the first two innings, Inland Valley’s pitching and defense settled in and put up five consecutive scoreless frames. The Legends turnaround kept Inland in the game, but the offense still needed to wake up.
San Diego added a fifth unanswered run in the eighth as insurance. Inland Valley finally responded with a rally, but they were only able to get one run before stranding runners on second and third.
After their squandered comeback attempt, it became clear that the Wave would go on to win and clinch a berth in the CPCL playoff.
The Legends finish the CPCL regular season in third place, a great improvement after coming in last place in 2023. The Legends are followed by the Bucs in fourth and the Pirates in fifth.
San Diego will take on Palm Springs, who lost their first game of the year late on Wednesday night against the Bucs.
The Wave and the Power will play game one on Saturday in Palm Springs at 7 PM.
Inland Valley Baseball Association 