NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Arkansas Travelers 5-3 on Saturday night at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Naturals are off to a 3-1 start on their current seven-game road trip.

Travis Witherspoon put the Travelers on the board first with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning. Roberto Lopez added an RBI groundout later in the inning to put the Travelers in front 3-0.

The Naturals offense answered with a run in the top of the fourth, when Mario Lisson grounded into a fielder's choice. Yem Prades and Carlo Testa each came through with RBI singled in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at three.

AJ Schugel went five and a third innings on the mound for the Travelers. The right-hander allowed six hits and three runs, only two of which were earned, while walking and striking out four. Naturals' starter Mike Montgomery also got a no decision in the contest. The left-hander went seven innings scattering five hits and allowing three runs, while walking two and striking out five.

Testa started another late rally by reaching on an error to start the top of the ninth inning. He later came around to score on an RBI double by Rey Navarro to give the Naturals their first lead of the night at 4-3. Navarro moved to third on a Manny Pina ground out, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Alex McClure that made it 5-3.

Ethan Hollingsworth (2-7) worked two innings without allowing a hit to collect the win for the Naturals. Kevin Johnson (0-2) took the loss for the Travelers allowing two runs in one inning of work.

The Naturals will continue a four-game series against the Travelers on Saturday night at 7:05 PM. The Naturals will send right-hander JC Sulbarran (0-0, 0.00) against a starter yet to be determined from the Travelers. The game can be heard on ESPN 92.1 The Ticket.