Justin Jett – After falling just short in the 2019 Championship Series, having their 2020 season lost to time, and a disappointing 2021, the 2022 Storm were lifted to immortality behind the Padres’ top prospect and a recently downsized farm system. Proving once more that the best thing about a farm is its ability to regrow. In all three post-season performances this year the Lake Elsinore Storm combined for at least 9 runs and 12 base hits. Their offense was peaking at the ideal moment and their bats were as hot as a Lake Elsinore July. So, one win away from grabbing their 4th championship in team history, how else could this team win but with an elite pitching performance from two of their best pitchers on the roster?

In a 3-2 victory at Chukchansi Park in Fresno, Victor Lizarraga and Duncan Snider covered 9 complete innings while striking out 7 batters and allowing only 5 hits against the best offense in the entire California League. Lizarraga, the 7th ranked prospect in the San Diego Padres organization, would finish his first post-season of his career by covering 12 innings, striking out 13 batters and allowing just 4 earned runs across 2 games of work. Meanwhile, Snider, a free agent signing by the San Diego Padres this year, would be assigned with holding a 1-run lead with 2.2 innings remaining.

After falling just short in the 2019 Championship Series, having their 2020 season lost to time, and a disappointing 2021, the 2022 Storm were lifted to immortality behind the Padres’ top prospect and a recently downsized farm system. Proving once more that the best thing about a farm is its ability to regrow.