Storm loses to Quakes, but fans still celebrate home opener

Departing Storm Stadium emcee Kaz Egan entertains the crowd one last time. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

By Timothy J Sheridan:  Mayor Pro Tem, Lake Elsinore; Director of Broadcasting, Lake Elsinore Storm 

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Special to Menifee/Elsinore 24/7

The Lake Elsinore Storm opened its 2026 home schedule on Tuesday night at Diamond Stadium against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, losing 16-3 in front of 2,246 fans.

As happened in two of its first three games, the Storm had exceptional starting pitching – this time from Winyer Chourio, who struck out 6 and only gave up a single run in four innings. However, the Storm’s bullpen could not match Chourio’s success.  Five Storm relievers surrendered 15 runs in the final five innings of the game.

On the offensive side, the Storm banged out 9 hits. SoCal native and third baseman Justin DeCriscio and left fielder Conner Westenburg, who is from Houston, Texas, each had two hits.

Opening Night was special for another reason. The Storm celebrated Kaz Egan’s final game as on-field emcee. Kaz, who has entertained the Storm fans over the last seven seasons, was hired during the off-season by the hugely successful Savannah Bananas’ franchise to work with the Firemen — one of several teams that serve as a Bananas opponent at its events.

Additionally, the Storm honored Terry Fox, its Thunder Cares Golf Tournament Director, prior to the game. Thunder Cares, which is the Storm’s 503 (c)(3) charity arm, holds a golf tournament each year to raise money for the charity.

Fox, a longtime SoCal resident, became the Tournament’s Director two years ago and has overseen exceptional growth of the Tournament in that time span.  This year’s tournament is scheduled for Oct. 26 at the beautiful Eagle Glen Golf Club in Corona.

With the loss, the Storm falls to 1-3, while the Quakes improve to 4-0 in the California League’s South Division.

The series continues tonight at Diamond Stadium.  The game gets underway at 6:05 pm.  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.

Jose Verdugo puts the tag on a Quakes baserunner for the out. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

Justin DeCriscio reacts to hitting a double. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

Truitt Madonna prepares to catch the ball on a pickoff attempt. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

A Quakes baserunner slides safe ahead of the tag attempt of Dylan Grego. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

Storm mascot Thunder entertains the crowd. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

A dog for a batboy (batdog?). The Storm has one. (Photo by Action Captures Media)

Storm broadcaster Timothy J. Sheridan throws out the first pitch. (Photo by Doug Spoon)

Lake Elsinore City Council members Brian Tisdale and Steve Manos and City Manager Jason Simpson were introduced before the game. (Photo by Doug Spoon)