Kowar throws strong outing to give Omaha shutout win

DES MOINES, Iowa –The Omaha Storm Chasers (16-18) defeated the Iowa Cubs (18-16) 2-0, beating their 1-80 rival for the first time this season.

1B Nick Pratto put a runner on base in the first inning, to extend his on base streak to eight games before stealing second and advancing to third on an error from the I-Cubs. 2B Gabriel Cancel put runners on the corners with a two-out walk but Pratto and Cancel were left on base with a strikeout to end the first with no score.

In the second, Omaha got a single from C Freddy Fermin before ultimately stranding another runner, with three runners left on through two innings.

RHP Jackson Kowar allowed a two out single before Fermin threw him out trying to steal second to end Iowa’s second inning.

Pratto would get another one-out walk in the top of the third, but this time would come around to score off a Cancel double into right field to put Omaha on the board first. Cancel would move to third on a wild pitch and RF Brewer Hicklen walked to give the Storm Chasers runners at the corners with two outs but a ground out to second base would stop the scoring at one, giving the Chasers a 1-0 lead through three.

Kowar (Win, 1-3) would throw six shutout innings for his first quality start of the season and just the second on the season from an Omaha pitcher. In all, Kowar allowed three hits with just one walk and six strikeouts.

The eighth inning would look very similar to the third for the Storm Chasers with Pratto earning a one-out walk before a hard hit double off the centerfield wall from Cancel would score Pratto from first with two outs to extend Omaha’s lead to 2-0 and force another I-Cubs pitching change.

A great play from 3B Clay Dungan would help RHP Arodys Vizcaíno get his fifth save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth and the 2-0 win for the Storm Chasers. The shutout win moves Omaha’s shutout record to 2-3 on the season.

The Storm Chasers finish their series at Iowa tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 1:08 p.m. with coverage beginning at 12:45 p.m. with the Sarpy County Tourism Pregame Show on 1180 The Zone.

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.