By Timothy J Sheridan: Mayor Pro Tem, Lake Elsinore; Director of Broadcasting, Lake Elsinore Storm
Special to Elsinore/Menifee 24/7
After 2 Visalia Rawhide batters had completed their turns at-bat in the top of the 1st inning Thursday night at Diamond Stadium, the team from the Central Valley led the Lake Elsinore Storm, 1-0. For good measure, after 2 Storm batters had completed their turns at-bat in the bottom of the 1st inning, Lake Elsinore led, 2-1. More importantly, the Storm did not stop there.
By the end of the 1st, the Storm held a 5-1 advantage. By the end of the 2nd, the home team was up 7-1, and before the 4th inning started, Lake Elsinore led, 10-1.
When it was over, the Storm had finished off the Rawhide 13-6 on Prospero’s Prosperity Fest Night at the ballpark. It was a dominating win.
Storm center fielder Ryan Wideman reached base 5 times, stole 4 bases, and scored twice. Third baseman Bradley Frye homered and drove in 3, while first baseman Kerrington Cross had a triple, walked twice, and scored 3 runs. Left fielder Conner Westenburg continued his exciting play, getting 2 hits, scoring 2 runs, stealing a base, and driving in a run.
On the mound, Storm ace Bryan Balzer was good through the first 4 innings before running into trouble in the 5th. Veteran reliever Javier Chacon relieved Balzer and was amazing in his 3 innings of work, striking out 4 and not giving up any hits. Chacon got the win – he is now 2-0 on the season.
For the Rawhide, second baseman JD Dix had 2 hits and scored 3 runs while catcher Carlos Virahonda had 2 hits and drove in 2 runs.
This game will also be remembered for three instances of catcher’s interference – two against Storm catcher Truitt Madonna and one against Rawhide catcher Virahonda. Catcher’s interference is called when a hitter’s bat strikes the catcher’s mitt on a swing. Such interference calls are rare, and 3 in one game is noteworthy.
With the win, Lake Elsinore is now 9-9, still just 1 game out of first place in the Cal South Division. Visalia is now 5-13.
The Storm and the Rawhide play game 4 of the 6-game series tonight at Diamond Stadium. The game is scheduled for 6:45 pm, with fireworks after the game.
For tickets, visit tickets@stormbaseball.com or visit the Diamond Stadium Box Office prior to the game. The Box Office opens 3 hours before the game.
You can also listen to the game for free on MiLB.com or watch it for free on the Bally Sports Live app.
