Storm Surge in San Jose: Lake Elsinore Rallies Past Giants 6-4 to Take 2-1 Series Lead

By Larry Belmontes

The Lake Elsinore Storm showed grit and resilience in Game 3 of their series against the San Jose Giants, coming back from a two run deficit in the seventh inning to claim a 6-4 victory at Excite Ballpark on Thursday night. With the win, the Storm now hold a 2-1 edge in the series.

Pitcher’s Duel Early, Fireworks Late

The game started as a tight contest between two young right handers, Victor Adam Conrad for Lake Elsinore and Cale Michael Lansville for San Jose. Both pitchers handled early threats well, with Conrad recording multiple key strikeouts to keep the Giants quiet through three innings.

In the top of the third, Lake Elsinore drew first blood. With two on, Kavares Tears delivered a clutch two-run single to right field, scoring Yendry Rojas and Kasen Wells, and pushing Ryan Jackson to third. The Storm led 2-0, seemingly in control. But San Jose wouldn’t stay down for long.

Giants Explode in the Fourth

The Giants erupted in the bottom of the fourth with a four run frame. Walker Martin singled to center to score Dakota Jordan, cutting the lead to 2-1. Moments later, Elian Rayo delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2. Then the rally intensified, Zander Darby ripped a double down the line in left to bring in Martin, and Juan Perez followed with an RBI single, putting San Jose ahead 4-2. Momentum had swung hard in the Giants’ favor.

Seventh-Inning Storm Surge

After being silenced for several innings, the Storm came roaring back in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Ryan Jackson smacked a two-run single to left, tying the game at 4-4 and shifting the pressure squarely back onto the Giants.

Then chaos struck the San Jose infield. Lamar King Jr. grounded into a would be inning ending double play, but a throwing error by second baseman Ryan Reckley allowed Kasen Wells to score, giving Lake Elsinore a 5-4 lead. The Storm capitalized even further when Kavares Tears, already with two RBIs on the night, lined a single to center to score King Jr. and make it 6-4.

Conrad Holds Strong, Bullpen Shuts the Door

Despite the midgame rally from the Giants, Storm starter Victor Adam Conrad remained composed. The 21 year-old from North Carolina used a steady mix of pitches to keep the Giants off balance, finishing with several key strikeouts, including two in the sixth to end a potential rally.

The Lake Elsinore bullpen took over and didn’t allow a run the rest of the way. San Jose hitters struck out in each of the final three frames, including back to back Ks of Walker Martin and Zander Darby in the eighth and a swinging strikeout of Jean Carlos Sio to open the ninth.

Stat Leaders & Highlights

Kavares Tears: 2-for-4, 3 RBIs

Ryan Jackson: 1-for-4, 2 RBIs

Victor Adam Conrad: 5+ IP, multiple strikeouts, steady under pressure

Zander Darby (SJ): 1-for-4, 1 double, 1 RBI

Walker Martin (SJ): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 run scored

Current California League Standings Update

In the California League South, Rancho Cucamonga (21-9) leads the division with a commanding record, followed by Visalia (14-16). The Lake Elsinore Storm, after tonight’s win, sit at (13-17), just one game behind Visalia. Inland Empire rounds out the South at (10-20).

In the California League North, Modesto (19-11) holds the top spot, with the San Jose Giants close behind at (17-13). Stockton sits even at (15-15,) while Fresno struggles at the bottom with a (11-19) record.

Lake Elsinore’s rally tonight not only gave them the series lead, but also kept them in the playoff chase in a tight South Division race.

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