Force Push Past Powerhouse, Remain Undefeated in League

06-27-2021

By: Cassidy Thornburg

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Force (7-0 PSL, 10-2 overall) capped off a dominating weekend at the plate with another high-scoring win against the Prospect Powerhouse on Sunday. Their 14-5 afternoon victory brought their total number of runs scored over the weekend to 30, including six dingers, 11 steals, and 36 hits. 

To get the ball rolling for the Force, starting pitcher #37 Steven Raussa (Eastern New Mexico) struck out the side. #44 JD Schaeffer (Glendale Community College), the Force’s five-hole-hitter, carried the momentum into the bottom of the inning with a 2-out 2-RBI double that scored #31 Ambrose Russo (Los Angeles Harbor College) and #38 Taylor Meaux (Bluefield College). This gave the Force an early 2-0 lead. 

The Force added fuel to the fire, scoring another four runs in the next four innings. Raussa continued wheeling and dealing on the mound. He held the Powerhouse scoreless through six, with only two hits against, and six strikeouts. 

After Raussa’s impressive start, the Force’s offensive took off. #9 Daniel Mcelveny (Bonita HS/ SDSU) led off for the Force in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run, his second of the season. #7 Jack Early (San Diego City College), Russo, #11 Hector Carreon (San Diego City College), #28 Michael Davinni, and Meaux followed suit with back-to-back hits. Early doubled off a full count, Russo singled, Carreon scored Early with an RBI-single, Davinni knocked a 2-RBI double, and Meaux brought Carreon home with a sac-fly to center. The Force racked up five of their 22 hits on the day in that one inning and extended their lead to 11-0. 

Determined to not let the Force walk away with a shutout, the Powerhouse put themselves on the board in the top of the eighth against the Force’s third relief pitcher. The heart of the Powerhouse’s lineup, #13 Rudy Conriquez had a notable bases-clearing triple that matched with the five runs scored, put pressure on the Force to bring out their closer. 

#47 Adam Gacek (San Diego Mesa College) came in clutch for the Force. He tied up his first batter, bringing the Powerhouse’s comeback rally in the eighth to a quick close. Gacek finished the game like it started, with three up, three down.  

-- The Force are on the road next with a two-game (non-league) series against the Palm Springs Power at Palm Springs Stadium (1901 E Baristo Rd. Palm Springs, Ca). They play Tuesday, June 29 and Wednesday, June 30. First pitch is at 7 pm both nights. --