In 2014, the Omaha Storm Chasers took down the Pawtucket Red Sox (now Worcester Red Sox) 4-2 in Durham, NC to win their second straight title.

Ten years later, a new generation of Chasers will have a chance at history.

Led by a strong performance from Daniel Lynch IV and home runs from Nick Pratto, Cam Devanney, and John Rave, the Omaha Storm Chasers defeated the Louisville Bats 9-4 at Werner Park. With the victory, the Chasers have secured the IL 1st Half title and will host the International League Championship at the end of September. 

Three singles in the third inning, the last one from Noelvi Marte, allowed the Bats to strike first and go on top 1-0.

It did not take long for the Chasers to do what they do best: come from behind. In the 4th Inning, Michael Massey led off with a single to right field. Two batters later, Nick Pratto drove the second pitch of his at-bat 420ft to dead center to give Omaha a 2-1 lead after four.

Some infield miscues by Louisville allowed the Chasers to double their advantage. Fielding errors from Livan Soto and Marte allowed Tyler Gentry to score Omaha’s third run of the game after a leadoff single. 3-1 Chasers after five.

Despite a PJ Higgins solo homer in the 6th, Omaha put the game out of reach thanks to a three-run blast from Cam Devanney. Gentry hit his second double of the game to score Pratto, who reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the inning. With Brian O’Keefe at third and Gentry at second, Devanney blasted his 11th homer of the season just over the wall in left field to make it 7-2 Omaha after six innings.

Louisville mustered two more runs on another RBI single from Marte and a solo home run from Hernan Perez, but John Rave got both runs back on his 11th home run of the season to right field, scoring himself and Gentry to make it 9-4.

Will Klein got the Bats in order in the 9th and the celebration began in the Storm Chaser clubhouse as Omaha took Game 1 of the series and the 1st Half IL title with a 9-4 victory.

NOTES:

• This is the 18th time in 55 seasons that the Storm Chasers are in the playoffs at the Triple-A level.
• Omaha will host the International League Finals at Werner Park against whoever comes away with the 2nd Half title. The 2nd Half starts next Tuesday and the finals will start on September 24th.
• Tyler Gentry is on another level right now. He was 4-4 in the game with two doubles, an RBI, and three runs scored. He’s 13-24 since the start of last week.
• Cam Devanney and John Rave are tied amongst the active roster with 11 home runs each.
• Nick Pratto was a triple shy of the cycle today. He finished 3-4 with a two-run homer, a double, and two RBIs. He also scored twice.
• CJ Alexander was removed after his second at-bat in the 4th Inning. Ryan Fitzgerald replaced him. Something to monitor moving forward.
• Drew Waters will be on his way back to East Nebraska as he was the corresponding move when the Royals recalled Carlos Hernandez this morning.
• Daniel Lynch is now 5-0 with Omaha after getting his fifth win of the year. He gave up two runs on eight hits while walking one and striking out one. 
• Colin Selby and John McMillon each gave up a run on one hit while striking out two. 
• Will Klein lowered his ERA to 1.65 with a scoreless 9th Inning. He struck out one in the frame.

NEXT GAME: 

The Storm Chasers and Bats continue their six-game series tomorrow at 7:05 pm at Werner Park. It’s Cornival Night at the ballpark as the Chasers will wear their corn-themed gold alternate jerseys during the game.