Lake Elsinore Falls to Visalia in Slugfest

By Larry Belmontes

On a warm spring evening in Lake Elsinore, the Storm were left chasing shadows as the Visalia Rawhide exploded early and often, riding a six-run third inning to a 9-5 win. It was a game that featured plenty of offense, flashes of defensive miscues, and a combined 27 strikeouts between both clubs. In a matchup between two teams tied at the bottom of the California League South, Visalia’s bats came alive while Lake Elsinore struggled to match the pace.

Rawhide Rolls Early

The tone was set in the top of the 2nd when Abdias De La Cruz knocked a ground rule double to left, scoring Jose Alpuria and putting Visalia on the board.

But the real damage came one inning later.

In the top of the 3rd, Visalia cracked the game wide open: Yerald Nin laced a two-RBI single to center, scoring Modeifi Marte and Alpuria. A costly fielding error by left fielder Alex McCoy allowed two more runs to score. Slade Caldwell capped off the inning with a line-drive RBI single to center. When the dust settled, Visalia had poured in five runs in the inning, turning a 1-0 edge into a commanding 6-0 lead.

Storm Fights Back

Lake Elsinore refused to go quietly, especially so early in the game. In the bottom of the 3rd, Kavares Tears provided a spark, hammering a two run double down the line to score Colton Vincent and Kasen Wells. Zach Evans then crossed the plate on Alex McCoy’s sac fly to pull the Storm within three, 6-3.But, Visalia struck again in the top of the 4th with another rally, this time loading the bases and taking advantage of a bases-loaded walk and Caldwell’s second hit of the game, a two-RBI single. The Rawhide extended their lead to 9-3. Lake Elsinore chipped away in the bottom of the 5th with an RBI single by Tears, his third RBI of the night, and a sac fly from Kaden Hollow, but that’s as close as they would get. The Storm were shut out the rest of the way.

Pitching Duel or Strikeout Frenzy?

If you love Ks, this game delivered. Visalia starter Deyer Alejandro Zapata and the bullpen racked up 15 strikeouts, consistently silencing Lake Elsinore’s offense whenever a spark started to ignite. On the Storm’s side, Coleman Kash Mayfield, the Padres’ first-round pick in 2024, showed flashes of dominance with 7 strikeouts of his own but was undone by defensive lapses and a couple of big innings from the Rawhide.

Offensive Leaders

Abdias De La Cruz (VIS): 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Yerald Nin (VIS): 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R

Slade Caldwell (VIS): 2-for-5, 3 RBI

Kavares Tears (LE): 2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI

Current California League Standings 

California League North

The Modesto Nuts (SEA) continue to lead the North with a stellar 12-4 record. They've scored 120 runs while allowing just 87, giving them a healthy +33 run differential. Just behind them are the Stockton Ports (ATH) at 11-5, only one game back. With a league-best +36 run differential and wins in 7 of their last 10, Stockton is surging. The San Jose Giants (SF) sit in third place at 9-7. They’re hanging tough, just 3 games behind the leaders, and have matched Modesto’s +33 run differential. San Jose has also been dominant at home, going 7-0 so far. The Fresno Grizzlies (COL) round out the North, sitting at 7-9. Despite some offensive highlights, their -42 run differential shows they're struggling to keep opponents off the board.

California League South

In the South Division, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAD) are on top with a 10-7 record and a +14 run differential. They're 6-4 in their last 10 and look solid both at home and on the road.

The rest of the division is tightly packed but under .500. The Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) are 6-11 and 4 games back of Rancho, hurt by a -28 run differential and just 2 wins in 8 road games. Both the Lake Elsinore Storm (SD) and Visalia Rawhide (AZ) are tied at 5-11. Lake Elsinore has been competitive offensively, scoring 107 runs, but their pitching has allowed a league-worst 129 runs. Visalia has struggled across the board, scoring just 73 runs while giving up 97, and they're just 1–6 on the road.

Quick Hits

Rawhide scored 9 runs on 7 hits, taking full advantage of two Lake Elsinore errors.

Storm stranded multiple runners in the middle innings as Visalia’s bullpen locked in.

Adrian De Leon (VIS) had a tough night at the plate, going 0-for-5 with 4 strikeouts.

What’s Next?

Both teams look to regroup in Game 2 of the series. For the Storm, tightening up the defense and limiting the free passes will be key. For the Rawhide, it’s all about sustaining momentum and capitalizing on another struggling bullpen.

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