OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — The Omaha Storm Chasers built an early lead and held off a late rally by the Buffalo Bisons to secure a 6-4 victory in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday at Werner Park.

A crowd of 1,390 watched the seven-inning afternoon contest, which lasted 2 hours, 8 minutes. The win evened both teams’ records at 3-4.

Omaha seized control with a three-run first inning against Buffalo starter Devereaux Harrison. After a walk and a stolen base by John Rave, Kameron Misner drove him in with a single. Luca Tresh followed with an RBI double, and Gavin Cross capped the rally with a run-scoring single to give the Storm Chasers a 3-0 lead.

Buffalo chipped away with a run in the third. Ryan McCarty scored on a double-play groundout by Riley Tirotta, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Omaha answered immediately in the bottom half, however, as Tresh delivered another key hit, a single that plated Misner to restore the three-run cushion.

The most important sequence of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning, with Omaha leading 4-1. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a single. Josh Rojas then laced a two-run double to left field, scoring Misner. After another walk reloaded the bases, Abraham Toro worked a bases-loaded walk to force in Tresh, extending Omaha’s lead to 6-1. The three-run inning proved decisive.

Buffalo mounted a comeback attempt in the seventh. William Simoneit led off with a single, and Josh Rivera followed with a two-run homer to right field, pulling the Bisons within two runs. Omaha reliever Eric Cerantola entered and recorded the final two outs, stranding the tying run at the plate to earn his second save of the season.

The win was anchored by Omaha starter Mitch Spence, who earned his first victory. He worked five strong innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits while striking out one. His performance was the top star of the game.

Harrison took the loss for Buffalo, falling to 2-1. He was charged with four runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings.

Offensively, Omaha managed just five hits but capitalized on seven walks. Tresh led the way, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Misner scored three times. For Buffalo, Rivera’s two-run homer highlighted a seven-hit attack, and RJ Schreck went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run scored.

The game was the fourth in a five-game series between the clubs. Omaha has now won three of the first four meetings. The teams were scheduled to conclude the series with the second game of the doubleheader later Saturday evening.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 5-4 Buffalo victory, with its ELO system giving Omaha a slight 50.3 percent probability to win. The Storm Chasers outperformed both projections.

Buffalo’s bullpen, featuring scoreless outings from Yariel Rodríguez and Tanner Andrews, kept the game close after the early exit by Harrison. Omaha’s defense turned a critical double play in the third inning to help Spence escape further damage.

The Bisons are scheduled to open a six-game homestand against the Syracuse Mets on Tuesday. The Storm Chasers will begin a six-game road trip at the Iowa Cubs on the same day.