By Timothy J Sheridan: Mayor Pro Tem, Lake Elsinore; Director of Broadcasting, Lake Elsinore Storm
Special to Elsinore/Menifee 24/7
There are few things in sports as exciting as a team winning a game on a final play. In baseball, it is called a “walk-off.” Its origin comes from the fact that as the home team celebrates a win after its last at-bat, the losing team must “walk off” the field. It is exhilarating for a home team, as only a home team can win a “walk off” in baseball, and heartbreaking for the visitors.
After suffering 3 walk-off losses as the visiting team in Stockton last week against the Ports, the Storm experienced the positive side of a “walk-off” this time, beating the Visalia Rawhide 8-7 on Wildlife Wednesday at Diamond Stadium.
Going into the bottom of the 9th inning, Lake Elsinore trailed by 2 runs with the top of the batting order set to hit. Center fielder Ryan Wiseman started the rally with a walk. That was followed by 4 straight singles by third baseman Justin DeCriscio, designated hitter Truitt Madonna, pinch hitter Bradley Frye, and second baseman Jose Verdugo.
It was Verdugo’s shot into left field that scored DeCriscio’s tying run and Madonna’s winning run and sent Storm fans and their pets home happy.
Prior to the heroics in the 9th, it was back and forth throughout the game as the Storm took a 1-0 lead after the 1st inning. Visalia went up 2-1 in the top of the 2nd before the Storm tied it in the bottom of the frame. After each team scored a run in the 3rd, Visalia took a 4-run lead in the 5th. The Storm cut the lead in half in the 6th, which set up the walk-off in the 9th.
All told, the 5 batters who won the game in the 9th inning collectively had 10 of the Storm’s 11 hits in the contest. The other hit was a double from left fielder Conner Westenburg, who also scored 2 runs.
The key pitcher in the game for Lake Elsinore was Nick Falter, who relieved Rordy Mejia and Storm starter Jesus Castro. Falter pitched 3 strong innings, striking out 4, allowing just 2 hits and no runs. Will Koger pitched a scoreless 9th inning to earn the win.
For Visalia, catcher Ivan Luciano had 3 hits, with shortstop Kayson Cunningham and Jose Mejia garnering 2 hits each.
Rawhide pitcher Teofilo Mendez, who pitched well over 2.2 innings in relief until the 9th inning, took the loss.
With the win, Lake Elsinore improved to 8-9 and is now just 1 game out of first place in the California League’s South Division. Visalia fell to 5-12 on the season.
The Storm and the Rawhide play game 3 of the 6-game series tonight at Diamond Stadium. The game is scheduled for 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.
You can also listen to the game for free on MiLB.com or watch it for free on the Bally Sports Live app.
