Storm Stuns Giants In Series Opener

By Larry Belmontes

The Lake Elsinore Storm opened their six game road series against the San Jose Giants with a dramatic late inning comeback, stealing game one 4-3 after trailing for most of the afternoon. Despite a quiet start from both offenses, the Storm’s bats came alive when it mattered most delivering a clutch eighth inning rally that flipped the script and secured a momentum shifting win!

Pitchers Rule Early

Both starting pitchers came out firing as Storm starter William Thomas Varmette and Giants hurler Evan Jansen Gray traded strikeouts through the first three innings. Each of these guys flashed command and velocity setting the stage for a possible pitcher’s duel.

San Jose Strikes in the Third

The Giants broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third with two big hits and two quick runs. With two outs, Carlos Gutierrez drilled a fly ball double to left scoring Jose Ramos. On the very next pitch, Dakota Jordan lined a single to center bringing Gutierrez home and giving San Jose a 2-0 lead. Though the game was far from over, this may have been an early end with how these pitchers were delivering on the mound.

Lake Elsinore Answers in the Fifth

Just when it looked like the Giants were in full control, Lake Elsinore fought back. In the top of the fifth, Chase Valentine doubled to left, followed by Kasen Wells, who smoked a liner to center for his fifth double of the season. Valentine and Ryan Wilson crossed the plate knotting the game at 2-2 and suddenly it was a whole new game! But, that tie didn’t last long. In the bottom half, a wild pitch by Storm reliever Kash Mayfield allowed Gutierrez to score again, pushing the Giants back ahead 3-2 heading into the late innings.

Eighth-Inning Lightning

Trailing by one and running out of outs, the Storm came to life in the eighth. After a strikeout by Kavares Tears, the frame nearly stalled until Lamar King Jr. reached base and set the stage for Ryan Jackson. Jackson ripped a line drive double to left, scoring King and advancing to third on a throwing error by shortstop Jose Ramos. With the game now tied at 3-3, Zach Evans (who hit walk off single on Sunday) delivered another knockout blow as he singled to left scoring Jackson and gave Lake Elsinore its first lead of the night! The Storm took the 4-3 and wouldn’t look back.

Storm Close the Door

The Giants had a final chance in the ninth, but Storm pitching stayed composed. Ryan Wilson struck out swinging to start the frame, and the Giants couldn’t recover. This was a textbook example of timely hitting and resilient pitching by Lake Elsinore. Despite trailing twice and struggling early against a sharp Evan Gray, the Storm battled back with grit and execution. Ryan Jackson’s bat and heads up base running proved decisive, and the bullpen held firm when it counted. Lake Elsinore now leads the series 1-0 and carries momentum into Game Two. If this opener was any indication, fans are in for an intense and exciting week of baseball.

Notable Performers:

Ryan Jackson: 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 Run, go-ahead double

Kasen Wells: 1-for-4, 2 RBI double

Carlos Gutierrez (SJ): 1-for-3, 2 Runs, 1 RBI

William Thomas Varmette (LE): 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 K

Evan Jansen Gray (SJ): 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 K

Current California League Standings

Cal South Division

The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers) continue to dominate the South with a blazing (20-8) record winning 9 of their last 10. The Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks) trail by 7 games at (13–15), while the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) improve to (12-16) after yesterday’s win. The Storm sit 8 games back but are riding a solid 7-3 stretch. The Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) round out the division at (9-19), 11 games off the lead.

Cal North Division

Modesto (Mariners) leads the North at (18-10), holding a 2 game lead over the San Jose Giants (Giants) who are now (16-12) after the loss. Stockton (Athletics) sit at (14-14), 4 games back, while Fresno (Rockies) struggles at (10-18) and 8 games back having lost 8 of their last 10.

The Storm’s win not only gave them a series opening edge but also helped them gain ground in the tightly contested Cal South standings. They’ll look to keep the momentum going in Game Two tonight.

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