Storm Chasers Fall 15-7 to Clippers in Series Opener

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Omaha Storm Chasers (22-18/55-59) erased an early 5-run deficit, but still fell 15-7 to the Columbus Clippers (20-20/61-53) in the series opener Wednesday night. Gavin Cross homered and doubled while Jack Pineda hit a trio of RBI doubles, but Omaha couldn’t hold back the Columbus’ offense in the second half of the 5-run loss.

The Clippers started hot, plating 5 runs off Storm Chasers starter Vince Velasquez in the bottom of the 1st inning, taking a 5-0 lead behind a pair of RBI singles and a 3-run home run.

Omaha got on the board in the top of the 2nd inning with an RBI double from Pineda, then Peyton Wilson cut the deficit to 5-2 with a run-scoring double of his own.

Columbus added to its lead with a sacrifice fly off Velasquez in the bottom of the 2nd inning, making it a 6-2 game.

The Storm Chasers then plated 3 runs in the top of the 4th inning to bring the score to 6-5, starting with another RBI double from Pineda. Brandon Drury followed by driving in a run with his own double and Luca Tresh capped the inning’s scoring with an RBI single.

Gavin Cross tied the game with a solo home run in the top of the 5th inning, then Pineda hit his 3rd RBI double of the game to give Omaha a 7-6 edge and a lead for the first time in the game.

After sitting down the first batter in the bottom of the 5th inning, Velasquez exited the game and Connor Thomas (1-1) took over, but Thomas surrendered a go-ahead, two-out, 2-run home run in the frame to put the Clippers back in front 8-7.

Columbus subsequently extended their advantage to 11-7 with a 3-run home run off Matt Moore in the bottom of the 6th inning, and Ben Sears finished the frame without allowing another run.

Sears then worked a scoreless 7th inning, but Scott Barlow gave up a leadoff home run in the 8th inning, then later in the frame allowed a 3-run home run to make it a 15-7 gap.

Major League rehabber Vinnie Pasquantino hit a two-out single in the top of the 9th inning, but Omaha couldn’t bring home any more runs, finishing the 8-run loss.

The Storm Chasers will return to Huntington Park for the second game of the series against the Clippers on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 P.M. CT and Lucas Braun is in line to start for Omaha.