The Game That Had It All: Lake Elsinore Storm Stun 66ers in Walk-Off Thriller

By Larry Belmontes

You couldn’t have scripted it better. The Lake Elsinore Storm, down by as many as four runs and trailing 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth, capped off the series finale with a walk off single that sent The Diamond into a frenzy! The Inland Empire 66ers, poised to take the final game and split the series, were one out away, but the Storm had other plans.

This one had everything. It had early domination by the 66ers, a dramatic comeback, clutch hits, costly errors, and a Hollywood style finish. What a game to end a fun series on a Sunday afternoon!

Top of the 2nd: 66ers Strike First

With two outs, the 66ers’ offense ignited behind a pair of doubles. Johan Macias laced a line drive to center scoring Dario Laverde and John Wimmer. Then Jorge Ruiz added another RBI double, bringing Macias home before getting caught stretching for third. With that, Inland Empire jumped to a 3-0 lead.

Top of the 4th: Laverde Leaves the Yard

Dario Laverde launched his first homer of the season with a solo shot to center. The 66ers stretched their lead to 4-0 and it looked like they were cruising to a victory and a series tie.

Bottom of the 6th: Storm Surge Begins

With two outs and the Storm needing a spark, Lamar King Jr. delivered. His single to right field scored Kasen Wells and an error allowed him to reach third. Moments later, Kavares Tears crushed a two-run homer to left, tying the game 4-4 and completely flipping the momentum.

Top of the 7th & 8th :66ers Answer Back

Though the Storm had stormed back, The 66ers didn’t fold. Jorge Ruiz doubled again in the 7th, scoring Macias, and in the 8th, a bases loaded walk to Macias pushed across another run. The 66ers took a strong 6-4 lead and it seemed like the comeback would be wasted.

Bottom of the 8th: Storm Strike Back… Again

After a groundout that scored a run, Zach Evans struck out with two on. But with two outs, Kaden Hollow smacked a clutch double, scoring two and cutting the deficit to 8-7. The Storm were alive!

Bottom of the 9th: The Walk-Off

The Storm seemed dead in the water, but then came the magic.

With one out, Kasen Wells reached on a fielder’s choice and a critical error by shortstop John Wimmer put two men on. Cobb Hightower walked to load the bases. Lamar King Jr. delivered a sac fly to tie the game at 8! The Storm came back yet again!

After that, with two outs and two men on, Kavares Tears reached on a fielding error by first baseman Caleb Bartolero. That set the stage for Zach Evans where the friendly chaos would take place.

After striking out in the 8th, Evans redeemed himself and smacked a sharp grounder to short, Wimmer fielded it cleanly but launched a high throw over his third baseman’s head, and Wells came home and scored the game winner! Storm win 9-8 in walk off style!

Notables Performances

Zach Evans: Game-winning RBI single.

Kasen Wells: Scored twice, including the walk-off run.

Lamar King Jr.: 2 RBI, sac fly to tie the game.

Kavares Tears: 2-run HR, reached on key 9th-inning error.

Pitching Highlights

Jimmy Reyes (Storm): Held the 66ers to a manageable number through key innings.

Victor Garcia (66ers): Showed flashes but couldn’t hold off the Storm rally.

California League Standings

Down in the California League South, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers) is on fire with a (19-8) record and a commanding lead in the division. Visalia (Diamondbacks) is second at (13-14), six games back. Lake Elsinore (Padres), thanks to their recent win, sits third at (11-16), and the Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) round out the standings at (8-19), 11 games out of first place and desperately searching for answers after losing eight of their last ten.

In the California League North, Modesto (Mariners) leads the division with an (18-9) record, holding off San Jose (Giants) by two games who sit at (16-11). Stockton (Athletics) is hanging around at (14-13), four games back, while Fresno (Rockies) has struggled mightily, falling to (9-18) and nine games out of first place.

The Storm now focus their attention on the Giants as they head up north this week to take on San Jose.

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