Fountain Valley’s CIF So Cal regional opener suspended after rain and lightning storm

Fountain Valley’s Josh Grack celebrates a homer with his teammates Tuesday before weather suspended the game. (PHOTOS: Jacob Ramos, For OC Sports Zone).

In the opening round of the CIF Division II baseball So Cal regional playoffs between top-seeded Fountain Valley and Rancho Bernardo, host Fountain Valley jumped out to a quick 2-1 lead before thunder and lightning stopped play on Tuesday.

The game, hosted by Fountain Valley at Tom Hiroyasu Stadium, will resume in the second inning at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday.

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Fountain Valley players share a moment before the game.

Fountain Valley starter Logan Hunt throws a pitch Tuesday.

Rancho Bernardo’s Logan Hunt throws a ball to second base before the bottom of the first begins.

Fountain Valley's Josh Grack celebrates his home run.

Rancho Bernardo’s offense was flowing early on Tuesday, kicked off by a pair of singles off of Fountain Valley starter Logan Hunt. Rancho Bernardo capitalized on the early offense by manufacturing a run by way of fielder’s choices and eventually a sacrifice fly by Owen Glick. 

Hunt was able to slow down the Broncos after the sacrifice, however, and limited the damage to one in his sole inning of work for the day.

Despite the early deficit, the Barons, fresh off of a CIF playoff semifinal appearance, picked up right where they left off with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the first inning. The big blow of the inning came off the bat of junior first baseman Josh Grack, who hit a home run to left field to give the Barons a 2-1 lead. 

A pair of errors by Rancho Bernardo extended the inning, but the mistakes wouldn’t come around to harm the Broncos any further as they escaped the inning with only two runs allowed. 

Play stopped before the second inning began.

As the bottom half of the first inning took place, thunderstorms began in the area.

Fans reacted as the storms appeared to grow closer and louder as the inning rolled on, and the umpire crew responded quickly.

Per CIF rules, any time thunder is heard or lightning is seen from the field of play, a minimum of 30 minutes must be taken before play can be resumed. If thunder is heard or lightning is seen again in the initial 30 minute period, the clock resets and another 30 minutes must pass with no audible thunder or visible lightning. 

After nearly 10 minutes of roaring thunder, heavy rain began pouring down on Tom HiroyasuStadium, sending Fountain Valley players to their locker room and Rancho Bernardo players to Fountain Valley classrooms for shelter.

Organizers of the game began packing up equipment approximately 15 minutes after the lightning delay was called.

The winner meets No. 4-seeded Eastlake Thursday in the second round. If Fountain Valley wins, the Barons would once again be the home team.

Eastlake defeated Glendora 4-1 Tuesday.