The Lake Elsinore Storm are absolutely tearing it up, making some serious noise in the California League playoffs after a rollercoaster regular season. They finished the year with a 66-65 record, sure, but after winning the first half title, they went cold in the second half, finishing that stretch 27-35. But forget that, because these kids just flipped a switch for the playoffs and are showing everyone what they’re truly made of.
Storm’s Offense Explodes in Division Title Matchup
When it came time for the South Division title, the Storm stared down the Ontario Tower Buzzers in a best-of-three series. And man, did they deliver! Lake Elsinore took the first two games, starting with a wild 10-9 win on September 8. Their offense went off, putting up ten runs on twelve hits, even though the bullpen had a shaky night. Starter Jesus Castro was a beast, dealing six innings of one run ball to give them a shot. Two 2026 draftees, LF Alex Conover and DH Nu’u Contrades, who just joined in August, really stepped up and excelled.
After a quick off day, the Storm kept the momentum, scoring six runs on six hits in the next game. Pitchers LHP Kruz Schoolcraft and 2026 No. 1 draft pick Coleman Borthwick combined for seven innings with only one run allowed. Schoolcraft was lights out, striking out eight in five innings with no runs and only two hits. Borthwick, making his pro debut after a playoff promotion, added two innings, striking out four and allowing just one run on two hits. Taiwanese righty Lan-Hong Su came in to close it out, throwing two hitless innings with three strikeouts. These three, all top-ranked pitchers in the system, allowed only four hits combined, giving everyone a glimpse of what’s coming.
Dominance in the Cal League Championship Series Opener
That divisional win launched the Storm into the Cal League Championship series against the San Jose Giants on September 13, a team that absolutely dominated their North Division with an 80-52 record. Playing their only home playoff game of the series, the Storm made sure to make it count. It was never even a contest. Lake Elsinore scored early and often, racking up six runs by the end of the third inning and finishing with a whopping 12 runs on 13 hits!
Their pitching staff was just as impressive. Starter RHP Tyler Schmitt gave them 4.1 innings of no-run ball, allowing just four hits. Undrafted free agent RHP Jack Pineau finished the fifth without allowing a hit, and then LHP Adler Cecil came in for three strong innings, allowing no runs on two hits. Another undrafted free agent, RHP Ben Stubbs, closed it out, allowing the only run. These two UDFA pitchers had just joined in July from the Bridge League, and they combined with the rest of the hurlers for nine strikeouts. The Storm pitchers combined to allow just one run on eight hits. What a performance!
The best-of-three series continues today in San Jose. Let’s see if they can keep this energy going. While the kids are making noise, it was a tough one for our own M’s, with the Seattle Mariners falling to the Los Angeles Angels 4-6. We know what these early games mean, so let’s hope they turn it around fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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