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IL Omaha Storm Chasers

Briceño Launches Homer in the First, Part of Seven-Run Inning in Win over St. Paul

July 1, 2022 - International League (IL)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


St. Paul, Minn. - Every Storm Chaser recorded a hit as the Omaha Storm Chasers (36-37) shutout the St. Paul Saints (36-38) for a 10-0 win. Omaha now leads the series 2-1 and the season series 7-2.

Center fielder Dairon Blanco started the game with a hit before first baseman Nick Pratto sent his second home run of the series over the fence to open the scoring. Right fielder Nate Eaton kept the bats rolling with a double down the left field line and then second baseman Michael Massey added to the score with his fourth homer at the Triple-A level.

The first out of the game came five batters into the game with Omaha leading 4-0. Third baseman Clay Dungan put a single into left field to produce the fifth hit for Omaha in the first inning. Designated hitter Gabriel Cancel kept the rally moving with a single up the middle to put runners on first and second with only one out. Catcher José Briceño launched his first Triple-A homer of the year to clear the bases once again, this time a three-run shot off the batter's eye in centerfield.

For the first time since April of 2019, the Chasers forced a pitching change in the first inning with just two outs. In all, 10 batters went to the plate in the first for Omaha to produce a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the first.

Left-hander Austin Cox got the spot-start for the Storm Chasers, making just his second start since the 2018 season. He worked around a couple baserunners before getting through the first without giving up a run.

In the second, Eaton hit his second double in as many at bats, putting another runner in scoring position but he would end up stranded at second.

Dye got through the second without trouble, thanks, in part, to an impressive sliding catch from left fielder Brewer Hicklen.

Omaha put a two-out rally together in the third to extend their lead. Briceño was hit by a pitch and shortstop Angelo Castellano hit single to put a pair of runners on base. Blanco hit a single into center field for his third RBI and give Omaha an 8-0 lead after two and a half innings.

Right-hander Wyatt Mills came in to pitch the third inning, making his Royals organizational debut. Mills needed just one pitch to record his first out after being traded from the Mariners organization on June 27. The Washington native worked around a two-out triple and finished the third without conceding a run.

Briceno hit a double with one away in the fifth, coming around to score on another RBI hit from Blanco and extend Omaha's lead to 9-0.

Right-hander Ándres Núñez (Win, 3-1) tossed the fourth and fifth for Omaha, striking out three while allowing just one hit.

In the sixth, Eaton reached on a fielding error before Massey and Hicklen drew back-to-back walks. Omaha was robbed by a bases loaded hit by the Saints' center fielder to strand the bases loaded.

Hicklen came up with two outs in the eighth and hit his 11th homer of the season. Hicklen rounded out the offense, becoming the ninth batter to record a hit.

In all, six Storm Chasers pitcher contributed to the shutout win, the fifth shutout by Omaha this season, to secure the 10-0 win.

Game four between the Storm Chasers and Saints is Friday with first pitch scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Coverage starts at 6:45 p.m. on the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone. Tomorrow's probable starter for Omaha is left-hander Marcelo Martinez (3-2, 3.13) while St. Paul sends right-hander Ronny Henriquez to the mound.

Omaha returns home to face off with the Toledo Mud Hens in a six-game series that starts on July 4. The game will feature Independence Day Fireworks presented by FNBO. The series also features Christmas in July on Saturday, July 9, presented by Valentino's.

The full 2022 schedule can be found here and single-game tickets are now available here.

For more tickets and more information, please visit omahastormchasers.com, call the Werner Park Ticket office at (402) 738-5100, and follow the team on social media. You can follow the team on Twitter @omastormchasers, on Instagram @omahastormchasers, and "like" the team on Facebook at facebook.com/omahastormchasers.

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