2011 POWER Season in Review

The Palm Springs POWER wrapped up the most successful season in team history last week, finishing 41-4 and bringing home a league championship.

After three games, the team actually had a losing record of 1-2. From there, however, there was no looking back as POWER players broke numerous team records and steamrolled conference opponents.

On the very last day of the season, catcher Alex DeLeon (JR, University of Kansas) set a single-season club record in dramatic fashion, knocking out his 11^th double of the year to drive in the winning run for the POWER that night.

All-Star Nick Baker had a lights-out season for the POWER, and has signed to return next summer.

On the mound, starter Nick Baker (SO, Chico State University) led the POWER in wins at 10-0. Those 10 wins set a single-season record for Palm Springs. Reliever Ryan Santhon (JR, Cal State Los Angeles) set a single-season pitching record of his own, racking up 65 strikeouts in 43.1 innings of work.

Many other POWER players put up impressive numbers as well. Infielder David Kiriakos (JR, Vanguard University) sported a .570 on-base percentage to lead the team. Team captain Marcus Romero (SR, Southern Utah University) led the POWER in runs scored (45), total bases (65), stolen bases (18, in 20 attempts), total starts, at bats, and plate appearances. First baseman – and winner of the end-of-season Fan Favorite Award – Ryan Jones (JR, Vanguard University) led the team with a .422 batting average.

Closer Tony Guerra had some jaw-dropping numbers, like a team-leading 0.38 ERA and a .122 opponents’ batting average. Guerra only allowed 10 hits, three walks, and two runs. He never allowed an extra-base hit. All those numbers were the best among POWER players.

As a team, the POWER outscored opponents 368-128 and were perfect in day games (4-0) and on the road (5-0). They wrapped up the season by sweeping the So Cal Athletics for their third SCCBL championship.

The POWER show no signs of slowing down next season, with seven players already signed for 2012. Baker, Santhon, Kiriakos, and Jones are all coming back, along with right fielder Frankie Torres (JR, Vanguard University), pitcher Scott Simmons (JR, Vanguard University), and catcher Carney Chamberlain (SO, Contra Costa College).