Storm Sweeps Doubleheader With Two Walk-Off Wins
The Chemeketa Storm defined "refusal to lose" at Storm Field, overcoming a 10-inning marathon and a massive six-run deficit to secure back-to-back walk-off victories in a stunning doubleheader sweep of Linn-Benton.
SALEM, Ore. — High drama defined the afternoon at Storm Field on May 1, as the Chemeketa Storm showcased incredible resilience to sweep a doubleheader against the Linn-Benton Roadrunners. Both contests required late-inning heroics, with Chemeketa securing two walk-off victories to stun the visitors.
Game 1: A 10-Inning Pitcher's Duel
The opening game was a masterclass in defensive poise and starting pitching. T. Brenneman was nearly untouchable for the Storm, tossing 8.0 dominant innings while allowing only three hits and one earned run. Chemeketa took an early lead in the second inning when B. Hubble scored on an error, and Lance Kreisberg extended the cushion to 2-0 with a solo home run in the third.
Linn-Benton clawed back, using a solo shot from J. Fera in the fifth and an unearned run in the seventh to tie the game at 2-2. The deadlock held until the bottom of the 10th inning. With the bases loaded, J. Vaccaro hammered a single to left field, scoring N. Crawford to secure the 3-2 victory. M. Eaton earned the win after providing two scoreless innings of relief.
Game 2: The Six-Run Comeback
If the first game was a duel, the nightcap was an emotional roller coaster. Linn-Benton appeared to have the game in hand early, exploding for six runs by the top of the fourth inning, punctuated by a two-run homer from J. Holmes.
Down 6-0, the Storm began a methodical comeback:
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The Spark: In the bottom of the fourth, N. Crawford and Jc. Klee each drove in a run with RBI singles to cut the lead to 6-2.
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The Surge: A three-run sixth inning, highlighted by a clutch two-RBI double from Lance Kreisberg, pulled Chemeketa within one.
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The Equalizer: In the eighth, C. Leming delivered a sacrifice fly to center, scoring E. Blackhawk to tie the game at 6-6.
In the bottom of the ninth, the story came full circle. T. Brenneman, the Game 1 starter, stepped into the box as a substitute and lined an RBI single to right field, scoring B. Hubble for the 7-6 walk-off win. A. Yost was credited with the win after two innings of scoreless work.
Series Statistical Leaders
| Category | Game 1 Leader | Game 2 Leader |
| Hits | C. Leming & B. Hubble (2) | Luke Kreisberg (3) |
| RBIs | L. Kreisberg & J. Vaccaro (1) | C. Leming & L. Kreisberg (2) |
| Innings Pitched | T. Brenneman (8.0) | W. Rose (4.0) |
| Strikeouts | T. Brenneman (5) | J. Bolstad (3) |