STORM STUN GIANTS IN GAME 6 THRILLER TAKING THE SERIES 4-2!

By Larry Belmontes

The Lake Elsinore Storm wrapped up their road trip in style on Sunday afternoon staging a dramatic ninth inning comeback to defeat the San Jose Giants 7-6 and clinch the regular season series (4-2)! In a game that featured momentum swings, clutch hitting, and late inning drama, the Storm proved resilient and opportunistic, sealing a series victory in the heart of Giants territory.

The Game

Scoreless Early, Then the Bats Ignite

After both teams struggled to get anything going early on with pitchers racking up strikeouts on both sides, the Storm broke the ice in the top of the 4th. Following a double by Zach Evans, Kaden Hollow stepped up and roped a two RBI double to right, scoring Kavares Tears and Evans to give the Storm a 2-0 lead!

San Jose answered in the bottom half as Robert Hipwell drove in Zander Darby with a two out RBI single, cutting the deficit in half. The Giants tied it in the 5th when Dakota Jordan lined a single to center scoring Lisbel Diaz. Storm starter Jimmy Reyes managed to keep the damage minimal, but the game was knotted at 2-2.

Jordan, Hipwell Go Yard… But the Storm Aren’t Done

The Giants appeared to take control in the 7th. With two outs and a runner on, Dakota Jordan launched his second homer of the year, a deep shot to center, giving San Jose a 4-2 lead.

Though the Giants came back with a fury, the Storm refused to go quietly. In the top of the 8th, Kasen Wells doubled, and Ryan Jackson followed with a no doubt two run blast to tie the game at 4. Lake Elsinore loaded up again, but San Jose’s defense prevented further damage. However, the momentum didn’t last long, Hipwell got the run back with a solo homer to left center in the bottom of the 8th putting the Giants back on top 5-4 entering the 9th.

Storm Surge in the 9th

With just three outs to go, Lake Elsinore’s offense roared back! After a leadoff walk to Yendry Rojas, Victor Duarte tied the game with a single to left. Kasen Wells followed with a single of his own, setting the stage for Kavares Tears, who delivered the biggest hit of the night, a clutch two run double to deep center, scoring both Duarte and Wells to give the Storm a 7-5 lead!

Giants Threaten Late, But Fall Short

Though the Storm took a two run lead, San Jose wouldn’t go down easily. In the bottom of the 9th, Jordan doubled and scored on Jakob Christian’s RBI single narrowing the lead to 7-6. With two men on and nobody out it looked like the Giants might walk it off. But the Storm defense stepped up, Zander Darby hit into a fielder’s choice that gunned down Jordan at home, and Kasen Wells hauled in a deep fly from Elian Rayo to keep the tying run at second. Victor Adam Conrad then struck out Hipwell to close it out and earn the save.

This game was a perfect capstone to an exciting series, a showcase of young talent, relentless effort, and late inning drama. If this matchup is any preview of a future playoff battle, fans are in for a treat!

Pitching Highlights

Jimmy Reyes (Storm) battled through key innings and kept the Giants from pulling away during middle frames.

Victor Adam Conrad earned the save with a gutsy performance, shutting the door in the 9th under pressure.

Ryan David Slater (Giants) started strong but couldn’t keep Lake Elsinore’s bats quite late.

Player of the Game: Kavares Tears

Tears went 1 for 4, but his 9th inning double was the defining moment of the game. The go ahead hit not only swung the score, but secured the series win on the road for Lake Elsinore.

California League Standings Update

In the Cal South division, the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers) continue to dominate with a (23-10) record winning 7 of their last 10. The Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) with their recent surge, are now (15-18) tied with the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) at 8 games back of first. The Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) round out the division at (12-21) trailing by 11 games.

Over in the Cal North division, the Modesto Nuts (Mariners) lead the pack with a (20-13) record, while the San Jose Giants (Giants) sit two games back at (18-15). The Stockton Ports (Athletics) remain in the hunt at (16-17) 4 games back, while the Fresno Grizzlies (Rockies) sit at the bottom of the division at (13-20).

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