Three-Run Eighth Powers Dodgers to 7-5 Victory

Burns and Schwindel go deep, Oklahoma City rallies in eighth for victory.

By Scott Popp

June 23, 2018

PAPILLION, NE (June 23, 2018) - Omaha left fielder Billy Burns and designated hitter Frank Schwindel both crushed first-inning home runs, however a three-run eighth inning powered Oklahoma City to a 7-5 victory in front of a crowd of 8,865 on Saturday evening at Werner Park. For the second straight

PAPILLION, NE (June 23, 2018) - Omaha left fielder Billy Burns and designated hitter Frank Schwindel both crushed first-inning home runs, however a three-run eighth inning powered Oklahoma City to a 7-5 victory in front of a crowd of 8,865 on Saturday evening at Werner Park. For the second straight night, Storm Chasers players and coaches wore Omaha Golden Spikes uniforms as part of the franchise's Flashback Weekend.

Burns got things going in the first when his high fly ball hit the left field foul pole to give the Golden Spikes a quick 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Schwindel sent a shot of his own over the left-field wall to push Omaha to a 3-0 advantage.
The Dodgers offense then plated two in the second. After loading the bases, Oklahoma City 2B Angelo Mora singled to left to reduce the Spikes' advantage to 3-2. Omaha answered right back in the bottom half of the inning thanks to C Luis Villegas 's double to make it 4-2.
After a run in the fifth, Oklahoma City was able to tie the game at four in the seventh when LF Travis Taijeron lined a single down the right field line. The Dodgers struck again in the eighth with a pair of run-scoring singles and an RBI double to take the 7-4 lead. Golden Spikes RF Jorge Bonifacio later doubled home a run in the ninth to cut the Oklahoma City lead to 7-5.
Neither starter factored in the final decisions. Omaha starter Jonathan Dziedzic (5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 K) threw five solid innings, while reliever Luis Vasquez (2.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, K) suffered his second loss of the season. Oklahoma City reliever and Creighton University alum Pat Venditte (2.0 IP, H, K) earned his third victory of the season and Brian Schlitter (2.0 IP, 4 H, R, ER) notched a two-inning save.
The two teams are set return to Werner Park to finish off their four-game series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. CT. RHP Trevor Oaks (3-3, 2.24) is anticipated to get the nod for Omaha, with Oklahoma City expected to give the ball to RHP Tyler Pill (2-1, 4.18).
Tickets are still available for that game and all Storm Chasers contests throughout the 2018 season, and may be purchased at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets as well as by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100. To view Ticket Office hours, please click here.