Eaton goes 4-for-5 with four RBIs in win over Columbus

Papillion, Neb. – The Omaha Storm Chasers’ (32-34) bats got hot in a game that saw 19 combined runs, evening the series with the Columbus Clippers (39-29) at 1-1. The two teams totaled nine extra-base hits with Omaha outhitting Columbus in the 12-7 win.

Columbus again hit a leadoff homer, this time on the first pitch of the game. In all, the Clippers put up a five-run inning to start the game.

Third baseman Clay Dungan started the bottom of the third with a line drive single before catcher José Briceño scored him on a double. Shortstop Iván Castillo hit a single to put Briceño on third and designated hitter Nate Eaton hit a single to score another run. First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino hit a single, but Castillo was thrown out at home to end the Storm Chasers rally, still trailing 5-2.

Columbus first baseman Bobby Bradley hit his second homer of the night to push the Clippers lead back to four.

The Storm Chasers put another rally together in the fifth, started by a double from right fielder Edward Olivares. Left fielder Nick Pratto drew a walk before Eaton hit an RBI double. Center fielder Brewer Hicklen kept the storm moving with a single and stole his 13th base of the season. Hicklen would go to third on a fly out but would end up stranded at third with the score 6-5 in favor of Columbus.

Omaha’s bats came alive in the seventh, earning seven hits in the inning to take their first lead of the series. Briceño, Castillo, and Olivares each hit singles to juice the bases and forced a Clippers mound visit. Pratto hit an RBI single to tie the score before Eaton gave the Chasers the lead with a two-run double. Pasquantino hit a single to score a pair and Hicklen walked as the sixth consecutive batter to reach base. Second baseman Michael Massey hit a double to score another run and force a pitching change. The Clippers got a double play and a pop out to end the inning, but Omaha led 11-6.

Left-hander Sam Freeman would come in and pitch two scoreless innings of relief in the fifth and sixth to move his record to 2-0 with the win.

The Chasers put up another run in the seventh on a pair of walks and a Pratto RBI single.

Columbus got another back in the ninth but stopped there as Omaha evened the series 1-1.

Omaha continues their series with Columbus tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. on the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone. Tomorrow is Dollar Beer Night presented by Dave & Busters, featuring Budweiser and Pepsi.

Friday night is Girl Scout Night, as well as a Friday Fireworks night presented by Hy-Vee.

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.