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Storm Surge Early in 11-2 Loss

Martinez Homers, Loss Sets up Rubber Match Tomorrow
Visalia Rawhide vs 66ers Photo By Ken Weisenberger (Ken Weisenberger)
August 9, 2018

LAKE ELSINORE, CA - Lake Elsinore jumped out to an early lead with a three-run first and held on for the entire game to send the Rawhide to an 11-2 loss.

LAKE ELSINORE, CA - Lake Elsinore jumped out to an early lead with a three-run first and held on for the entire game to send the Rawhide to an 11-2 loss.

The Storm received huge performances from Edward Olivares, who collected three hits, scored two runs, and drove home three, and Luis Torrens, who put up four hits and four RBI, on the offensive side. The southpaw Nick Margevicius delivered seven strong innings for Lake Elsinore (57-59/23-23) and silenced the Rawhide bats.
Margevicius (W, 3-3) tied his career-high by pitching through the seventh. He scattered six Visalia hits and struck out three.
Sebastian Kessay struggled in his Diamondbacks organizational debut, giving up seven runs on eight hits over 4.1 innings. He recovered well from the three-run first by holding the Storm quiet in the second and third innings, but Lake Elsinore tagged him for two more runs in the fourth. They loaded the bases with one out in the fifth before Kessay (L, 0-1) was lifted.
Robby Sexton allowed two of the inherited runners to score by hitting Rod Boykin and walking Nate Easley. A third Storm run came home on an Olivares single to right. By the end of the fifth, Lake Elsinore had built up an 8-0 lead.
The Rawhide offense sputtered to generate some chances, but never roared to life; Visalia (57-60/19-26) went hitless in seven at bats with runners in scoring position. Renae Martinez provided a run for the Rawhide with a solo shot to left in the eighth and Drew Ellis drove home Visalia's other run with a sacrifice fly to deep center in the sixth.
Mark Karaviotis, Martinez, and Daulton Varsho all had two-hit performances for the Rawhide and combined to account for six of Visalia's seven hits. Ramon Hernandez's third-inning infield single was their only other hit.  
The Rawhide will look for their first second-half road series win in the rubber match of the three-game set tomorrow night, turning to RHP Connor Grey (8-8, 5.50), who pitched well last time he faced Lake Elsinore. The Storm will counter with RHP Ronald Bolaños (5-7, 4.68). First pitch is at 7:00 PM and the live radio broadcast will be available on rawhidebaseball.com.

The Visalia Rawhide are a professional baseball team in the Class A Advanced California League and are the only professional sports team in Tulare and Kings counties. The team has been an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2007 and is entering their 72nd year of play in 2018. The Rawhide renovated their home at Recreation Ballpark in 2009 and have since become the largest gathering of individuals in Tulare County, having set an attendance record for the seventh time in the past eight seasons in 2017. In 2018, the Rawhide look to continue their reputation for hosting competitive baseball while providing affordable family entertainment. To be a part of the 2018 Visalia Rawhide season, please contact the Visalia Rawhide Ticket Office at 559.732.4433, visit us online at rawhidebaseball.com, or follow us on Facebook (TheRawhide), Instagram (@VisaliaRawhide), and Twitter (@VisaliaRawhide