Ten Innings of Tension: Recapping the Storm’s Gut-Wrenching Saturday in Albany

ALBANY, Ore. — The Chemeketa Storm traveled to Dick McClain Field on Saturday with an upset on their minds, and for nearly 19 innings of baseball, they stood toe-to-toe with the conference-leading Linn-Benton Roadrunners. Despite holding leads in both halves of the doubleheader, the Storm ultimately fell victim to a potent Roadrunner offense in game one and a gut-wrenching walk-off in a ten-inning game two.

Game 1: A Middle-Inning Surge Falls Short

Final: Linn-Benton 13, Chemeketa 5

In the opener, Chemeketa proved they could manufacture runs against elite pitching. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth, Wyatt Hooper ignited the offense with an RBI single to bring the Storm within one. The momentum shifted entirely in the fifth when Chemeketa erupted for three runs. A sacrifice fly by Slater Tsuma, followed by RBI knocks from Brodan Curtiss and Tyrel Gertner, gave the Storm a 4-2 lead and silenced the home crowd.

However, the Roadrunners responded like a championship team. Linn-Benton reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run triple by Nick Biagi and never looked back. While Chemeketa added a fifth run in the eighth off an Owen Sonne groundout, a late barrage of home runs from Linn-Benton's Matthew Talbot and Chanz Flores blew the game open.

Game 2: Extra-Inning Drama at Dick McClain

Final: Linn-Benton 5, Chemeketa 4 (10 Innings)

The nightcap was a classic pitcher's duel that saw Chemeketa put together one of their most complete efforts of the season. The Storm struck first in the opening frame when Liam Irish raced home on a wild pitch. After Linn-Benton took a 2-1 lead, Slater Tsuma delivered the hit of the game in the fifth—a clutch two-run double that scored Irish and Joe Vaccaro to put Chemeketa back on top, 3-2.

The Storm's pitching staff was sensational. Max Eaton battled through five solid innings, and Pelham Statton was nearly untouchable in relief, striking out five over 2.2 hitless frames.

The game moved into extra innings tied at 3-3. In the top of the tenth, it looked like the Storm had secured the upset when Owen Sonne smoked an RBI double to left field, scoring Irish for a 4-3 lead. But the Roadrunners had one last gasp. In the bottom of the tenth, a wild pitch allowed the tying run to score before Jack Lussier poked a walk-off single to left, handing the Storm a heartbreaking defeat.

Storm Standouts

Despite the sweep, several Chemeketa players turned in standout performances:

• Liam Irish (SS): The catalyst of the offense, scoring 4 runs over the doubleheader and showing elite discipline at the plate.

• Slater Tsuma (LF): Drove in 3 runs on the day, including the massive go-ahead double in the nightcap.

• Owen Sonne (3B/2B): Recorded 2 RBIs on the day, including the clutch go-ahead double in the 10th inning of Game 2.

• Pelham Statton (P): Provided a masterclass in relief pitching in the second game, facing 9 batters without allowing a single hit while striking out 5.

The Bottom Line

While the record books will show two losses, the Storm proved they belong on the same field as the NWAC's elite. Chemeketa out-hit the Roadrunners 11-7 in the second game and led in the final inning of both contests. If the Storm can carry this level of intensity and execution into their upcoming home stand, a climb up the standings is well within reach.

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