By Timothy J Sheridan: Mayor Pro Tem, Lake Elsinore; Director of Broadcasting, Lake Elsinore Storm
Special to Elsinore/Menifee 24/7
The Lake Elsinore Storm kept up its winning ways on Sunday afternoon at Diamond Stadium, defeating the Visalia Rawhide 5-2 in a game that just took 2 hours and 2 minutes. With the win, the Storm swept the Rawhide in the series and improved its record to 12-9.
Visalia took an early 1-0 lead in the 2nd inning when left fielder Pedro Catuy homered off Storm starter Carlos Medina. It was the only mistake that Medina made in the game. All told, he pitched 4 innings, gave up 2 hits, struck out 3 and walked 1.
In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Storm shortstop Jorge Quintana tied the game with his first home run of the season.
The Storm broke it open in the 3rd inning with 3 runs, highlighted by a triple from third baseman Bradley Frye. Frye, who has gotten off to a hot start this year, is hitting over .400 with a slugging percentage above .600.
The Rawhide cut the lead to 4-2 in the 8th inning, but the Storm answered in the bottom of the frame with its own run. Again, Frye was involved, hitting a sacrifice fly, driving home center fielder Ryan Wideman, who had led off the inning with a single, and then stole 2nd and 3rd base.
Javier Chacon, who pitched 2 innings in relief, earned his 3rd win of the year against no losses. It was also Chacón’s 10th career win for the Storm. He has pitched in Lake Elsinore every year since 2023.
Lake Elsinore is tied for first place in the California League’s South Division with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
The Storm open a 6-game series in Ontario against the Tower Buzzers on Tuesday. The Storm returns home on May 12 for its Education Day game at 11:05 a.m.
For tickets for all Storm games, visit tickets@stormbaseball.com or visit the Diamond Stadium Box Office.
