NEW ORLEANS, LA (September 3) - Frank Schwindel set a new single-season franchise record for doubles with his 38th of the year, then delivered the game winning hit in the 10th inning as the Storm Chasers defeated New Orleans 6-5 in the final game of the season at The Shrine
NEW ORLEANS, LA (September 3) - Frank Schwindel set a new single-season franchise record for doubles with his 38th of the year, then delivered the game winning hit in the 10th inning as the Storm Chasers defeated New Orleans 6-5 in the final game of the season at The Shrine On Airline.
Schwindel's record-setting hit came in the midst of a 2-out rally in the top of the 1st. Nicky Lopez walked, and Schwindel followed with his historic knock, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Paulo Orlando then crushed a 3-run homer, putting Omaha ahead 3-0.
The Chasers added to their lead in the top of the 4th. Donnie DeWees doubled, went to 3rd on a balk, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Elier Hernandez to make it 4-0.
Dillon Peters allowed 4 runs, 6 hits, and 1 walk in 5 innings. He struck out 4.
New Orleans scored in the bottom of the 6th; Tomás Telis reached on an error, Jonathan Rodriguez singled, and Braxton Lee singled to load the bases. Zach Lovvorn replaced Jake Kalish , and induced a run-scoring double play from Chris Diaz. Lovvorn then retired Peter Mooney to end the threat, and keep Omaha's lead at 4-1.
Kalish was charged with 1 run in 5+ innings. He scattered 8 hits, struck out 5, and walked 1.
The 'Cakes tied it in the last of the 7th. Christopher Bostick and JB Shuck singled, and the runners both advanced on a groundout. Peter O'Brien brought in Bostick with an RBI groundout, and Tomas Telis singled in Shuck, cutting Omaha's lead to 4-3. Jonathan Rodriguez continued the rally with a 2-out single, and when Ramón Torres made an errant throw on a grounder by Braxton Lee, Telis scored to make it 4-4.
Lovvorn (W, 2-6) recovered to pitch scoreless innings in the 8th and 9th, sending the final game into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th, Luis Villegas began as the automatic runner on 2nd, and Jack Lopez walked. Ramon Torres put down a sacrifice bunt, and everyone was safe when New Orleans couldn't make a play at any base, loading the bases. With 1 out, Frank Schwindel delivered a 2-run single against José Quijada (L, 2-4).
Richard Lovelady (S, 9) closed out the bottom of the 10th to send Omaha into the offseason with a win. It didn't come easily, as Braxton Lee singled and stole 2nd, and Peter Mooney reached on an infield single, making it 6-5 and sending the tying run to 3rd. But Lovelady struck out Chris Bostick, and retired JB Shuck on a popup, sealing the game for the Chasers.
With the victory, the Storm Chasers finished their 50th season at 66-74.
The Chasers' next home game at Werner Park will be an exhibition against the Kansas City Royals on March 25th, 2019. Their 2019 regular season home opener will be on April 9th. Tickets for the exhibition game, and ticket plans and packages for 2019, are available now at OmahaStormChasers.com.
