Storm Surge Past Nuts, Take Game 2 with 10-6 Win

Final Score: Lake Elsinore Storm 10, Modesto Nuts 6

By: Mario Ramos

MODESTO, Calif. — The Lake Elsinore Storm broke out the bats on Tuesday night at John Thurman Field, pounding out 18 hits to defeat the Modesto Nuts 10-6 and take a 2-0 lead in the six-game series. Fueled by multi-hit performances throughout the lineup — including five hits from catcher Lamar King Jr. and a four-RBI night from Zach Evans and a two-RBI night from Emmanuel Figueroa — the Storm pulled away late and handed Modesto its second straight home loss.

The back-and-forth game saw the Storm jump ahead early with two runs in the third and two more in the fourth, but the Nuts responded with a pair of rallies in the third and fifth innings to even the score at 4-4. Modesto starter Ryan Sloan was hit hard over 4.1 innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, while Lake Elsinore's bullpen — particularly winner Brian Salazar and closer Bernard Jose — held strong to preserve the lead after starter Kash Mayfield’s two perfect innings.

Modesto’s offense showed life behind Carter Dorighi (1-for-3, RBI), Ricardo Cova (2-for-4, RBI double), and Carlos Jimenez (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), but defensive miscues and missed chances proved costly. The Nuts went just 4-for-14 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base, while reliever Adrian Quintana took the loss after giving up the go-ahead runs in the eighth. A late rally in the bottom of the eighth brought Modesto within a run, but the Storm answered with a crushing four-run ninth to seal the game.

With the win, Lake Elsinore improves to 26-27 and continues to climb the CAL South standings. Modesto falls to 31-22 and drops out of first place in the North Division for the first time all season. Game 3 is set for Thursday afternoon, first pitch scheduled for 12:05 p.m., as the Nuts look to halt the Storm’s momentum and keep their hopes of a third straight league title alive.