Lake Elsinore Storm vs. San Jose Giants: Game 5 Thriller Goes to Extras, Storm Take 3–2 Series Lead

By Larry Belmontes

In what may become one of the better California League series when we look back at the end of the season, game five between the Lake Elsinore Storm and San Jose Giants delivered a rollercoaster of emotion, late-inning drama, and ultimately an 8-7 extra inning victory for the Storm. The win gives Lake Elsinore a (3-2) series lead heading into the final game, with momentum squarely in their corner.

The Game

Early Dominance: Giants Set the Tone

San Jose jumped out to an early lead, starting with Walker Martin’s solo homer to right field in the bottom of the 2nd, his third of the year. The Giants extended that lead in the 3rd, when Jakob Christian drove in Carlos Gutierrez with an RBI double. But it was the 5th inning when San Jose looked like they might put the game away. With two outs and two on, Walker Martin did it again launching a three-run blast to left for his second homer of the night (and fourth of the season), giving the Giants a commanding 7-0 lead. Martin was electric, finishing with four RBIs and a pair of long balls.

The Storm Surge: Lake Elsinore Comes Roaring Back

Down seven runs and showing few signs of life offensively, the Storm finally struck in the 6th inning. Lamar King Jr. crushed a two-run shot to left to put Lake Elsinore on the board, following Kavares Tears’ leadoff single. It was King Jr.’s third homer of the year and it cracked the door open. In the 7th, the Storm fully kicked it down. A B.Y. Choi double and Kasen Wells RBI single cut the deficit to 7-5. Kavares Tears then smacked a game-tying double that scored Wells, and just like that, the game was level at 7-7.

Missed Chances and Mound Battles

Both teams had chances to break the tie late. The Storm threatened in the 8th and 9th, advancing runners but failing to bring them home. Meanwhile, Lake Elsinore’s bullpen began to shut the door on the Giants, with William Thomas Varmette holding it down in the late innings to keep things knotted. Storm starter Braian Alejandro Salazar had a rocky outing early, but the bullpen stabilized things, combining for scoreless frames from the 6th on. San Jose also squandered a golden opportunity in the bottom of the 9th after Carlos Gutierrez led off with a single. But three straight outs ended the frame, and the game headed to extras.

Extras and Execution: Storm Strike First

In the top of the 10th, the Storm wasted no time. With the ghost runner at second, Lamar King Jr. advanced to third on a Kaden Hollow single. After a pop out, Yendry Rojas lifted a sac fly to right, scoring King Jr. and giving Lake Elsinore their first lead of the night, 8-7. Varmette returned in the bottom of the 10th to close it out and did so in style. He struck out Walker Martin (the previously unstoppable force), then induced two flyouts to Kasen Wells in center to end the game. Varmette secured the save, capping off 5.2 innings of shutout baseball by the Storm bullpen.

Pitching Recap

Lake Elsinore:

Braian Alejandro Salazar struggled, giving up 7 runs early, but showed composure late.

William Thomas Varmette earned the save with a shutdown 10th and was crucial in preserving the tie in regulation.

San Jose:

Cole Hillier opened strong but couldn’t hold off the Storm bats in the middle innings. The bullpen allowed the game-tying and go-ahead runs.

Final Thoughts

This was a game of two halves, San Jose’s dominance early, and Lake Elsinore’s unrelenting determination late. The Storm’s resilience in erasing a seven-run deficit speaks volumes about their character, and with the series now 3-2 in their favor, they’ll look to clinch the set in game six.

Key Performers:

Walker Martin (SJ): 2 HR, 4 RBI

Lamar King Jr. (LE): HR, 2 RBI, game-winning run

Kavares Tears (LE): Game-tying RBI double

William Varmette (LE): Clutch save in extras

Current California League Standings

In the California League South, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers) are leading with an impressive (22-10) record. The Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) follow at (15-17), while the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) sit just behind at (14-18). The Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) round out the division at (11-21).

Up north in the California League North, the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) lead the way at (19-13). The San Jose Giants (Giants) are close behind at (18-14), followed by the Stockton Ports (Athletics) at an even (16-16). The Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) are currently in last place at (13-19).

Social Media

Follow The Lake Elsinore Storm on social media:

Facebook: Lake Elsinore Storm

TikTok: @stormbaseball_

Instagram: @lakeelsinorestorm

X: @Storm_Baseball

And Keep Up With Larry B. and Cecilia's posts when they attend Storm games at:

Facebook: The Sports Couple Perspectives

TikTok: TSCP_IESR

Instagram: @tscp_iesr

X: @TSCP_IESR

Image Source: Facebook: Lake Elsinore Storm