Bats Pitching Twirls Shutout 4-0 Win
April 5, 2025 - International League (IL)
Louisville Bats News Release
PAPILLION, Nebraska - The Louisville Bats jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, beating the Omaha Storm Chasers 4-0 to take game five of their six-game series on Saturday afternoon at Werner Park with their first shutout of the 2025 season.
A dominant performance on the mound from starter Aaron Wilkerson (W, 1-1) helped end the Bats' three-game losing streak, as he picked up his first win in a Louisville uniform.
The first inning was quiet before the Bats jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second. After a single from Noelvi Marte and a walk from Edwin Rios, Rece Hinds hit an RBI single that scored Marte. Davis Wendzel got hit by a pitch which loaded the bases. Ivan Johnson hit a grounder to first, and first baseman Nick Pratto stepped on the bag, then fired a throw home to try and catch Rios, but it was not in time as Rios scored on a close play at the plate. Tyler Callihan got a two-out infield single that allowed Wendzel to score and gave Louisville early momentum.
Wilkerson began the bottom of the frame by giving up a leadoff single to Harold Castro. Wilkerson then struck out Brian O'Keefe, and ended the inning with a strike him out, throw him out double play. He sat down Pratto with strike three, then catcher Will Banfield threw out Castro trying to take second.
The Bats offense stayed hot in the third inning. Marte knocked a ground rule double, and Rios followed with a walk. Marte moved to third on a fielder's choice from Hinds as Rios was out at second. With two outs and Marte and Hinds on the corners, Hinds stole second. O'Keefe, the Omaha catcher, threw down to second, which allowed Marte to steal home and gave the Bats a 4-0 lead.
Storm Chasers starter Chandler Champlain (L, 0-1) was pulled after six innings. He allowed four runs, two walks, and struck out four.
Wilkerson looked unstoppable through six innings. He retired 15 batters in a row going back to the second inning, including striking out the side in the third. He finished with two hits against, no runs, and nine strikeouts, two short of tying his career high of 11. Joe La Sorsa replaced him in the seventh.
Once he came in, La Sorsa allowed a quick single and walk, ending Wilkerson's streak of retired batters. La Sorsa got the first two outs of the inning and Alan Busenitz came in to finish the frame. Omaha did put runners on base, but Louisville navigated out of the inning, keeping the shutout alive.
In the eighth, Will Benson picked up a single to increase his hitting streak to eight games on the season. The Bats loaded the bases in the inning but couldn't scratch any more runs across, and the lead stayed at four. Zach Maxwell came in to finish the game for the Bats. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases against him with two outs before Maxwell induced a game-ending fly out to right, finishing the four-hit shutout.
Callihan finished 3-5 with an RBI and Marte went 2-3 with a walk. Hinds and Johnson both finished with one hit and an RBI.
The Bats (4-4) will wrap up the six-game series with the Storm Chasers (4-3) on Sunday afternoon at Werner Park. First pitch is set for 3:05 p.m. ET., and Nick Curran will be on the call for WKRD Sports Talk 790 AM.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from April 5, 2025
- Sounds Slug Their Way to Saturday Night Win - Nashville Sounds
- Five-Run Fifth Lifts Jacksonville To 10-6 Win Over Worcester - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Eaton Homers, WooSox Fall 10-6 to Jumbo Shrimp - Worcester Red Sox
- Charlotte Comes Up One Run Short Against Norfolk - Charlotte Knights
- Nashville Bats Break Through In 10-2 Win Over Stripers - Gwinnett Stripers
- Bulls Walk Off With 2-1 Victory Over Space Cowboys In Eleven - Durham Bulls
- Young Leads Norfolk, Pitching Staff To Victory - Norfolk Tides
- Bats Pitching Twirls Shutout 4-0 Win - Louisville Bats
- St. Paul at Columbus Postponed - Columbus Clippers
- Wings Bats Go Cold in Fourth-Straight Loss against IronPigs - Rochester Red Wings
- Sproat Shines and Azocar Homers as Mets Beat RailRiders, 7-4, on Saturday Afternoon - Syracuse Mets
- April 5 Game Canceled - Iowa Cubs
- Mick Abel Stymies Red Wings as 'Pigs Steamroll to Series Win - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- RailRiders Topped by Syracuse - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Say It Together: Saints Postponed, Doubleheader Next Time Team Is in Columbus - St. Paul Saints
- Indians vs. Cubs Canceled Due to Inclement Weather - Indianapolis Indians
- Louisville Bats Statement on Thunder over Louisville - Louisville Bats
- Sabol Drives in Two, WooSox Beat Jumbo Shrimp 7-1 - Worcester Red Sox
- Guerrero Throws Five Perfect Innings in 8-2 Win over Louisville - Omaha Storm Chasers
- SWB RailRiders Game Notes- April 5, 2025 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Redbirds and Bisons Postponed Due to Weather - Memphis Redbirds
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - April 5 vs. Lehigh Valley - Rochester Red Wings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
