IL Omaha Storm Chasers

Chasers Lead All Game in Win Over Saints

August 26, 2023 - International League (IL)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release


PAPILLION, NEB. - The Omaha Storm Chasers scored three runs in the first inning and led all game long, topping the St. Paul Saints 7-3 Saturday at Werner Park.

Four of Omaha's first five hitters reached in the bottom of the first inning, as Edward Olivares started the scoring with an RBI double, then John Rave singled in two for a 3-0 lead.

Storm Chasers starter Andrew Hoffmann found himself in trouble early, as he loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the first but worked out of trouble with a strikeout and flyout to secure a scoreless inning.

After a hit batter and two walks loaded the bases in the 1st, Hoffmann retired 13 of his next 14, including at one point 11 straight between the second and fourth innings. The right-hander struck out a season-high nine, even striking out the side in the third inning.

After getting the first two outs of the fifth, Hoffmann allowed three straight hits and St. Paul scored twice, but his season-high ninth strikeout ended the inning and kept Omaha up by a run and earned his first Triple-A win in the process.

Once the bullpen took over, the Storm Chasers offense created some distance in the game, starting with a two-run homer from Nick Loftin, his team-leading 14th long ball of the year.

Bubba Thompson and Clay Dungan both walked in the seventh and combined to steal three bases, then Loftin added another RBI to his night with a sacrifice fly. After the Saints scored a run in the top of the eighth, Angelo Castellano took it back with a sac fly of his own in the bottom of the eighth, bringing the score to the 7-3 that held final.

Behind Hoffmann, Will Klein worked around trouble in the sixth for a scoreless inning, then loaded the bases to start the seventh. Evan Sisk took over for Klein and stranded the bases loaded, retiring three straight batters to end the inning, including a pair on strikeouts.

Sisk retired his first five of the game, pitching into the eighth before a home run brought the Saints a run closer, but he worked out of the frame without any more damage.

Jonathan Heasley put a pair on in the ninth but stranded both runners on as St. Paul ended the night with 12 runners left on.

Omaha goes for a series split Sunday at 2:05 pm CT as right-hander Max Castillo heads to the mound for the Storm Chasers.

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International League Stories from August 26, 2023


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