Crushed Nuts: Storm start 2015 with win

LAKE ELSINORE, CA - A barrage of hits powered the Lake Elsinore Storm to a season-opening win Thursday night, as The Eyes crushed the Modesto Nuts 10-3 in front of a capacity crowd at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

Modesto opened the scoring in the top of the first. Storm starter Ryan Butler (W, 1-0) allowed a two out home run to Rosell Herrera that cleared the 36-foot high wall in right field.

After a scoreless first inning, the Storm took the lead for good in the second. Jeremy Baltz worked a one out walk, advancing to second after a throwing error that allowed Marcus Davis to reach. With two on and one out, Nick Schulz tallied the first Storm hit and RBI of 2015 with a single to left field. A Ryan Miller single put runners on second and third for Yale Rosen, whose groundout allowed Davis to score and gave The Eyes a 2-1 advantage.

Butler settled down after a shaky first inning. The Charlotte, NC native went on to work five innings in his second career start, scattering five hits while walking just one to earn his first professional win.

Lake Elsinore broke the game open with a five-run fourth. Davis began the inning with a single and Schulz followed with a 428-foot blast to left field to make it 4-1. Miller reached after being hit by a pitch and Rosen notched his first Storm knock to put two men on with no outs. Auston Bousfield joined the hit parade with an RBI double to center field that scored Miller, and a wild pitch allowed both Rosen and Bousfield to score during the next at-bat.

A three-run seventh put the game out of reach, and the Lake Elsinore pitching staff took care of the rest. Rafael De Paula, Kyle Bartsch, Sam Holland and Nick Mutz did enough to preserve the lead and secure a 10-3 victory.

The series continues tomorrow night as Zach Lemond makes his California League debut for the Storm (1-0), while Konner Wade will get the ball for Modesto (0-1). First pitch is set for 7:00pm on the first FIREWORKS Friday of the season.

Ready to live #LifeAtTheDiamond? CLICK HERE to reserve your seats today.