Chase Egleston blasted two homers as the Storm bats exploded to a 14-2 win over the Midland Junior Varsity, in the first game of a doubleheader held Tuesday, April 21, at Christensen Field.

Dylan Yost, Robert Ramsey and Tyler Edwards also hit home runs in a game that ended with a Ramsey grand slam in the bottom of the fifth, triggering the 10-run rule. Pitcher Jake McCourt struck out six in route to the win.

The second game was a bit more suspenseful as Southeast pitcher Peyton Kinney and the Storm defense gave up five runs in the first inning, including a grand slam by Midland’s Jake Daeges. The coaching staff stuck with Kinney, however, and he was able to shake off the first inning and ride a 6-5 comeback win.

“We always have confidence in our guys no matter the result of the inning,” Head Coach Dion Parks said.

“Payton is the same guy in the first inning of the game that he was the last six innings, “Parks added. “He found his breaking ball after the first inning. He keep battling and turned a rough start into real quality outing. We were proud of him and the toughness he showed tonight.”

The Storm offense chipped away at the lead with a single run in the bottom of each of the first four innings to make it 5-4 going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Mitch Stickney opened up the inning with hit into left field for a single, and Easton Herring tripled Stickeny home with a hit into deep center field to tie the game at 5-5.

After Midland got the next batter out, Chase Egleston was inserted into the lineup. Chase responded with a walk-off single into center field to score Herring and win the game.

The head coach says the team’s resolve that propelled the come-from-behind win has been a huge factor in the success they are having this year.

“Our guys fight every game no matter the situation, and that speaks a lot of their character and toughness,” Parks explained.

“(Assistant coach) Tyson (Parks) has those guys focused on grinding out at bats and being productive as team,” he added. “Our guys work at this game relentlessly, and when you do that, the confidence grows through the preparation (both) physically and mentally. They feel like they are going to do it…instead of hoping they can.”