Springdale, AR - Two hours before the game Wednesday night there was a severe weather warning and lateral precipitation; a rainout seemed certain.  As it turned out, the game started on time albeit under a threatening, overcast sky and a flash flood warning.

 

The game turned out to be a combined 17 run - 25 hit slugfest which the Naturals ultimately won on a throwing error by RP Elvis Hernandez with one out in the bottom of the 12^th inning.  Naturals 1b Brian McFall scored on the error which was the second one in the inning for Springfield.

 

The Naturals gave the Cardinals an eight run cushion in the 2^nd inning and then turned around and scored five runs in the 3^rd.  One more in the 5^th and two additional runs in the 7^th tied the game.  SP Blake Wood had another disappointing outing for NW Arkansas, giving up 7 ER in just 1.1 innings.  The former Georgia Tech star has a 7.56 ERA in 16.2 IP.

 

The comeback was the biggest in franchise history for the Naturals who are on a 3 game winning streak and 10-9 on the season.  Springfield (11-8) possessed a comfortable lead in the Texas League North Division coming into the four game series with NW Arkansas.  That lead is down to just one game ahead of the Naturals who are poised to take a share of the lead if they can sweep the series.

 

Thursday Springfield will try to avoid the sweep with SP Tyler Herron (0-1) against RHP Matt Kniginyzky (0-1) for the Naturals. 

 

Big Boy Hitting:                   Springfield – 2B Daniel Descalso went 4-6 with 1 RBI and 1

                                            RS; he’s batting  .392 in 18 games this season with 20 RBI.  

                                            NW Arkansas – 1B Corey Smith went 3-5 with 3 RBI and 1 RS;

                                            it was a good night for Smith who is hitting .190 for the year.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites