The best team in the south division showed why they are at the top as the High Desert Mavericks rattled off 14 hits and 12 runs to defeat the Storm 12-3 Tuesday night. With only 18 home games remaining, the Storm remains in the hunt for the California League postseason.
The Mavs scored a run in the top of the first but it was Rico Noel who erased the lead quickly. Noel hit just his second triple for the Storm this season with a ball that went to the center field then scoring on an infield ground out to tie the game 1-1.
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But the Mavericks did not slow down as they collectively scored six runs in the first three innings. Highlighted by three doubles, two by Jack Marder who had a total of three on the night, High Desert collected all six runs with two outs to jump to a 6-1 lead.
In the fourth, Tommy Medica hit a 441-foot home run over the left field wall for his 11th home run of the season to lead the team.
In the top of the fifth, the Mavs took advantage to two errors by the Storm and scored six runs on four hits to open up the lead to 12-2.
High Desert starter Cameron Hobson had the longest outing of the season, allowing no walks and forcing 17 groundouts for his seventh win of the season.
With a Chris Bisson single to lead off the eighth, the Storm picked up one final run in the game when Medica singled past the shortstop allowing Bisson to score.
Cory Spangenberg returned to the lineup for the first time in July after going on the DL in the second half of the season. In the first half Spangenberg played in 66 of 70 games for the Storm.
The Storm only have three more home series left at The Diamond including three Wacky Weenie Wednesdays starting tomorrow. Fans receive free hot dogs through the seventh inning while the Storm take on the High Desert Mavericks with a 7:05 p.m. game time, gates open at 6 p.m.
Starting Friday the Storm will have a trio of giveaways for fans. On a Fireworks Friday and Friday Night Lights Night, the first 2,000 fans will receive a Storm toothbrush presented by Winchester Dental.
On a Social Media Saturday and annual Ultimate Golf Night the first 1,500 fans will receive a Storm hat presented by Volvo Rents and on a Sunday Funday the first 1,000 kids 14 & under will get a book sponsored by Scholastic Books. So don’t miss out on the Storm giveaways.
For more info on this weekend’s festivities at The Diamond or about Storm baseball visit Stormbaseball.com or call 951-245-4487.
*Contributed by Lake Elsinore Storm








