Pitching falters in series finale

LAKE ELSINORE, CA - A 10-run, 17-hit attack from the Lake Elsinore Storm offense was not enough Sunday, as The Eyes fell 14-10 in the series finale with the Inland Empire 66ers.

Both teams scored a run in the first. Inland Empire used a single, a stolen base, a ground out and a sacrifice fly to go up 1-0, and the Storm tied it in the home half when Fernando Perez doubled home Jose Rondon, who had doubled to start the inning.

Lake Elsinore took the lead in the bottom of the second. Kyle Gaedele started things with a single and advanced to second after River Stevens executed a sacrifice bunt. Donavan Tate plated Gaedele with an RBI base hit, and the Cartersville, GA native proceeded to steal second base. Rondon scored Tate with a single two batters later to put the Storm up 3-1.

After a scoreless second and third, Rafael De Paula (L, 3-4) gave up a three-run home run in the fourth to put IE in front 4-3. The 66ers added another two runs in the fifth to lead 6-3.

The Storm scored in the bottom of the fifth to cut the deficit to two. Rondon walked with one out, stole second base and scored on Auston Bousfield's single to centerfield.

Trailing 6-4, the Storm were knocked flat on their back in the seventh. The 66ers scored seven runs on four walks, two doubles and a home run to lead 13-4.

Lake Elsinore tried to mount a comeback with single runs in the seventh and eighth and four in the ninth, but The Eyes came up short in a 14-10 loss.

All nine Storm starters had a hit in the game. Jose Rondon paced the offense with a 4 for 4 performance, scoring thrice and driving in two. Fernando Perez went 3 for 6 with three RBI.

The lone pitching highlights came in the form of Jordan Hershiser, who worked two perfect innings, and River Stevens, who was called upon for emergency duty and pitched a perfect ninth.

Lake Elsinore (25-31) will begin a three-game series with the High Desert Mavericks tomorrow night in High Desert. Kyle Lloyd (2-3, 4.28 ERA) will go for the Storm. High Desert has not yet announced their starter. First pitch is set for 7:05pm.

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