Courtesy of Wichita Wind Surge
WICHITA, KS - The Wind Surge took an early lead and held on to get the win despite some late game drama. The Wichita Wind Surge defeated the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 5-4 and lead the series three games to none.
The Wind Surge started hot in the bottom of the first. Brooks Lee was the one who got it going when he hit an automatic double that bounced over the left center field wall. The Surge then drove in four runs on five hits, had three stolen bases, and three different Surge players had RBI singles.
NW Arkansas chipped away at the lead when Tyler Tolbert hit an RBI double in the top of the third. They then added two unearned runs in the top of the fifth.
The scoring dried up for the Surge until the bottom of the eighth. Yunior Severino came alive and hit a ground ball straight up the middle for an RBI single. The hit added a much-needed insurance run to keep the Naturals at bay.
The Naturals refused to go away. Olathe, KS native, Jake Means, hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth to bring the Surge lead back down to one but it would not be enough to get back on top.
Carlos Luna was the starting pitcher for the Wind Surge. He pitched four and two thirds innings, gave up three runs on three hits and delivered four strikeouts. Taylor Floyd got the win for Wichita. The NW Arkansas starting pitcher tonight was Beck Way. He pitched two thirds of an inning, gave up four runs on five hits and secured one strike out. He also was credited with the loss.
The Wichita Wind Surge improve to (3-0),(31-40) and the NW Arkansas Naturals fall to (0-3),(29-43).
NOTES: Brooks Lee got his league leading 25th double of the season. The Surge activated LH Denny Bentley and released Alex Phillips. Starting right fielder, Greyson Jenista, for the Naturals is the first former WSU player to play professionally at Riverfront.
BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App, Windsurge.com, MiLB.tv and Ballys Live app.
UPCOMING: The Wind Surge continue their home series against the Naturals. Game four will be played at 6:05 PM on a Wranglers Throwback Saturday at Riverfront. RH Jose Bravo for Wichita will face RH Drew Parrish for NW Arkansas.