Storm Clinch with Win Over Quakes

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – The Lake Elsinore Storm are First Half South Division Champions, as they defeated the Quakes on Tuesday night, winning the opening game of a six-game series by a final of 14-7.

The Storm offense scored in each of the first six innings on Tuesday night, twice rallying from one-run deficits to win their first first-half title since 2010.

The Quakes took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Gaige Howard RBI single, but quickly saw the Storm erase that lead with four in the bottom of the first inning, as the Storm chased Rancho starter Jerming Rosario.

Trailing 4-1 after just one inning, Rancho came back quickly in the second, plating four runs to retake the lead at 5-4. Damon Keith’s two-out triple proved to be the big blow of the inning, as he drove in two runs to put the Quakes up by a run against Storm starter Bodi Rascon.

The lead was again short-lived though, as the Storm tied it in the last of the second, then took the lead for good in the third against Christian Suarez (2-3).

Once the Storm had the lead, they never let up, as reliever Alan Mundo (4-1) tossed five innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just one hit and two total base-runners.

Max Ferguson finished with four hits, four runs scored and two RBIs to set the table for the Storm.

Rancho pitching walked seven batters and hit three additional hitters to add to their woes on Tuesday.

The loss leaves the Quakes at 35-29, officially eliminated from first-half contention. Rancho will send River Ryan (0-1) to the mound on Wednesday in game two, as he’ll face Jairo Iriarte (2-2) at 6:05pm.

The Quakes return to LoanMart Field to open their first home stand of the second half on Tuesday, June 28th, taking on the Visalia Rawhide for six straight. Tuesday will be a Healthy RC Recycle Tuesday, where fans can pledge to recycle ten CRV-eligible bottles and cans for a free Club Seat Ticket. Tickets are available at rcquakes.com. We hope to see you at LoanMart Field...Go Quakes!