Lake Elsinore Erupts in Game 3 Win Over Stockton To Take Series Lead

By Larry Belmontes

The energy was electric at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore on Thursday night as the Storm brought the thunder, offensively and emotionally, in a decisive 13-7 victory over the visiting Stockton Ports. Fueled by an early offensive clinic and capped off by a statement home run, the Storm surged ahead in the six game series now leading 2-1.

Storming Early: The Bottom of the 2nd

Lake Elsinore wasted no time igniting their offense, breaking a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a pair of booming doubles. After a Kaden Hollow walk and a single by Lamar King Jr., Chase Valentine roped a double to left field, plating both runners and giving the Storm a 2-0 lead. Moments later, Kavares Tears kept the hit parade rolling with a sharp liner to center, scoring Valentine and Ryan Wilson, who had reached on a single. Just like that, it was 4-0 Storm.

Relentless Offense: Bottom of the 4th

In the 4th, the Storm continued to hammer Ports starter Wei-En Lin, who had little room to breathe against this Lake Elsinore lineup. Colton Vincent opened the frame with a double, driving in Wilson. After a Ryan Jackson single, Tears again made his presence felt with another RBI double, his second of the night. Zach Evans added a productive groundout to score Jackson, and by the end of the inning, the scoreboard read 7-0 in favor of the home team.

Ports Get on the Board – Briefly

The Ports finally responded in the top of the 5th, thanks to a Jared Sprague-Lott double that scored Gunner Gouldsmith, but that lone run was quickly buried by yet another Lake Elsinore rally.

Fifth-Inning Firestorm

In what was the defining moment of the game, the Storm exploded for six more runs in the bottom of the 5th. It started innocently enough with a Ryan Wilson RBI single, followed by another double from Valentine, his third extra-base hit of the night. A groundout from Vincent scored Wilson, and Ryan Jackson followed up with a double to make it 11-1.

Then came the exclamation point: Kavares Tears stepped up and launched a two-run home run to right-center, his fourth of the season. It was his third extra-base hit of the night, giving him an incredible six RBI in the game. By the end of the frame, Lake Elsinore led 13-1, and the game looked all but over.

Late Push by Stockton

The Ports refused to go quietly in the top of the 9th, putting together a string of quality at-bats against the Storm bullpen. With the bases loaded, a walk to Sprague-Lott forced in a run, followed by a groundout from Luis Freitez that plated another. Then C.J. Pittaro delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a two-run triple to center, cutting the deficit to 13-5. RBI doubles from Davis Diaz and Cameron Leary added two more runs, bringing the final score to 13-7. It was a spirited effort, but too little, too late.

Pitching Breakdown

For the Storm, Boston Bateman, the 2024 second-round pick, was efficient and effective. The 19-year-old from Camarillo, CA held the Ports scoreless through four innings and navigated early traffic with poise. He earned the win, improving his stock as one of the Padres’ most intriguing young arms.

Meanwhile, Stockton’s Wei-En Lin, also just 19 years old, struggled with command and was tagged for multiple extra-base hits. Though he showed flashes of promise, the aggressive Lake Elsinore lineup proved too much on this night.

Player of the Game: Kavares Tears

There’s no debate. Tears was the heart of the Storm offense:

• 3-for-5

• 2 Doubles

• 1 Home Run

• 6 RBI

A dominant performance from the outfielder, who is quickly making a name for himself as one of the most dangerous bats in the Cal League.

The Storm will look to keep their momentum rolling in Game 4 as they aim to take full control of the series. For the Ports, regrouping is critical as they try to stop the bleeding and even things up before the weekend.

California League Standings (as of May 30, 2025)

In the Cal South Division, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAD) continue to dominate with a commanding 32–16 record, good for a .667 winning percentage. They’ve split their last 10 games at 5–5 but remain firmly in control. The Visalia Rawhide (ARI) trail by 10 games at 22–26 (.458), while the Lake Elsinore Storm (SD), after last night’s win, sit just a game behind Visalia at 21–27 (.438). The Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) round out the division at 15–33 (.313), having gone just 2–8 in their last 10.

Over in the Cal North Division, the Modesto Nuts (SEA) lead the pack with a strong 29–19 record (.604), followed closely by the San Jose Giants (SF) at 28–20 (.583), just a game back. The Stockton Ports (OAK) sit at an even 24–24 (.500), five games off the lead, and have held steady at 6–4 over their last 10. The Fresno Grizzlies (COL) remain at the bottom with a 21–27 record (.438), though still within striking distance at 8 games back.