Storm Floods Run Column, Downs Sixers 11-2

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino fell behind early to the Lake Elsinore Storm on Friday night and were never really in the contest dropping game four of a six-game set 11-2 at San Manuel Stadium. The series is now evened at two-games apiece.

The Storm (32-38) jumped out in front immediately as Jarryd Dale opened the game with a double and moved to third on Robert Hassell III’s single. Lake Elsinore got on the board on a double steal that the Sixers failed stop as Hassell grabbed second and Dale coasted home on the throw to second. Brandon Valenzuela then doubled against Sixers’ starter Adam Seminaris (2-5) making it 2-0 before and out was recorded. Seminaris struck out the next two batters, but Angel Solarte singled on an 0-2 pitch scoring Valenzuela for a 3-0 advantage. In the bottom of the first Jeremy Arocho was walked by LE starter Jesus Lugo. D’Shawn Knowles then singled to right and Storm RF Matthew Acosta’s throw from the outfield to third was off the mark allowing Arocho to score and Knowles to go to second. Knowles then stole third and came home on Jose Reyes’ sac fly making it 3-2. Inland Empire did not score again while the Storm piled on runs adding a run in the third, three in the fifth, one in the seventh and eighth and two more in the ninth. Inland Empire went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position in the game, the one hit did not drive in a run. Storm pitchers struck out 15 Inland Empire batters while Sixers’ pitching allowed eight walks and Inland Empire’s defense committed three errors. Solarte finished with a three-hit game driving home two runs. Dale had two doubles. Lugo struck out nine in four innings. Hazahel Quijada (1-0) earned the win out of the pen for the Storm in his debut, the San Gorgonio HS grad and UC Riverside product tossed two scoreless frames. Knowles and Reyes each had two hits for the Sixers. Knowles stole two bases giving him 20 on the season.

The series continues Saturday at 7:05 pm. The contest can be seen and heard live on 66ers.com.