Power Bunch Proving Punch
by Patrick Rafferty
July 15, 2010 
The Palm Springs Power is proving its punch.
After starting the season 10-0, the Power finally dropped its first game of the season on June 18 when they lost to the San Francisco Seals 5-4. Since the loss, the Power has won 13 games in a row, before dropping only its second game of the season to the SCCBA second-place team, the O.C. Pioneers on July 7.
“It’s been a great year, it has Ddefinitely exceeded expectations,” said pitching coach Harry Gurley. “When you’re 26-2, and come out and win almost every game you play, it’s great.”
Gurley credited the season’s success to the upper management and the coaching on the field.
“Andrew Starke brought in some fine ball players and they have really played up to their potential,” Gurley said. “We’ve put a very good product on the field, and played well every day. [ex-MLB and Power Manager]Tom Gamboa demands that you come to play every day, and that’s what the players have bought into. Everything has really worked out for us.”
After losing just its second game of the season 4-2, the Power came back the next day to win both games of a double-header against the O.C. Pioneers at Vanguard College.
In its first road game of the year and of the double-header, the Power won another close game against the Pioneers, squeaking out the win 4-3. In the game, Power starter James Crockett went six innings earning a no-decision. Crockett allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out six. Thomas Taylor came in to relieve Crockett, and finish the game. Taylor picked up the win by going three innings, giving up two hits and one run.
After the initial game, the Power won the second game of the day 6-1.
In the second game of the double-header, The Power had a huge first inning in which they sent all nine starters to the plate scoring four runs.
Starting for the Power, was pitcher Brandon Kizer who went seven innings and picked up the win. Kizer struck out three and only allowed three hits to earn his second win of the season.
Second baseman Zack Haley, who has been another important piece to the puzzle this season, thought the game was an exciting break from a long season. Haley, who was the only position player selected out of over 40 tryout invitees, is proving his worth with .314 batting average and a .973 fielding percentage.
“It went pretty good, we had a close game the first game,” Haley said of the away series. “We had some really good baseball intelligent plays to win the game. We did everything pretty good yesterday, and it was nice to come out with a couple of victories. It was beautiful over there, I don’t know what the temperature was, but it was really nice.”
Picking up the Power this season with his stellar play has been shortstop Brandon Macias. The shortstop went 4-9 in the double header with an RBI. On the season, Macias leads the team in batting average with a .377 mark, yet the most integral part of his game has been his defense.
“I’m just trying to work on some things, and come out here and have fun,” Macias said. “It’s really a no pressure situation in summer ball. It’s nice to have no worries without school. We get to play baseball every day and it’s really nice.”
Now, 26-2 overall and 16-1in the Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association conference play, the Power are heading into the home stretch of the season. With only six games left before the playoffs begin on July 20, the Power are hoping to repeat as conference champions yet again. They secured a playoff berth, clinching home field advantage for the opening playoff game.
They hope to continue to play as well as they have been. With playoffs just around the corner, they stay determined and willing to come out on top again, in the hopes of winning back to back SCCBA titles.
