SPRINGDALE, Arkansas - Six different Wind Surge batters combined to hit eight clutch two-out RBIs that fueled Wichita in tonight’s ball game. The Wind Surge defeated the Naturals 13-3 and now lead the series three games to two.
The Wind Surge got off to a hot start in tonight’s ballgame. In the first inning they batted around and scored four runs. First, Patrick Winkel hit an RBI double on a line drive to left field and then Seth Gray hit an RBI single for the first two runs. The last two runs of the inning were scored off both Alerick Soularie and Ernie Yake when they were walked with the bases loaded.
The Naturals got their first run of the ball game in the bottom of the first inning. Jorge Bonifacio grounded out to second base and was able to bring a run across the plate.
In the top of the second the Wind Surge scored a run off an Alex Isola sacrifice fly to center field.
Tyler Cropley hit a solo home run for the Naturals in the bottom of the second. Then, a throwing error to first base, committed by Surge starting pitcher Jaylen Nowlin, allowed Tyler Tolbert to reach home. The Surge lead had been cut to two.
Wichita batted around again and got their second multi-run inning in the top of the fifth. Jake Rucker, who came into the ball game to replace Soularie in the third, hit a long fly ball to right field for a two RBI triple. Yake then hit an RBI double on a fly ball to left field and Yoyner Fajardo hit an RBI single. Tanner Schobel got his second hit of the day on sharply hit ground ball to left field for an RBI double. Winkel earned his second RBI of the day on a line drive to right field for a single.
The Surge extended their lead to ten in the top of the sixth. Willie Joe Garry Jr. hit a sacrifice fly out to left field that scored a run and then Rucker hit an RBI double on a line drive to left field.
Jaylin Nowlin made his third start of the season on the mound for the Wichita Wind Surge. He pitched five and a third innings where he gave up three runs off five hits. He struck out four batters and walked one. He earned his first-class AA win, and his record improves to (1-0).
The starting pitcher for NW Arkansas was Noah Murdock. He was pulled just two thirds of the way through the first inning after giving up four runs off four hits. He walked one batter and struck out another. He was credited with the loss. His record falls to (3-1).
The Wichita Wind Surge improve to (18-20, 46-60) and the NW Arkansas Naturals fall to (19-18, 48-58).
NOTES: The Wind Surge promoted Carlos Luna to Class AAA St. Paul. Patrick Winkel has now reached base in 15 straight games.
BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App, Windsurge.com, MiLB.tv and Bally Live app.
UPCOMING: The Wichita Wind Surge are on the road in Northwest Arkansas for a six-game series against the Naturals. The series finale will be played at 2:05 PM on Sunday, August 13th. RH David Festa will take the mound for the Wind Surge and LH Noah Cameron will take the mound for the Naturals.
NEXT HOME GAME: The Wind Surge return to Riverfront Stadium Tuesday, August 15th to host a six-game series against the Springfield Cardinals. First pitch will be at 7:05 PM and it is $1 Hot Dog Night.