Naturals Fall in Season Finale
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Brett Eibner hit his 17th double of the season but it wasn't enough as the Arkansas Travelers claimed the final regular season game of 2013 with a 5-0 victory over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The Naturals conclude the season with a 59-81 record.
North Little Rock scored two runs in the second inning on a Jett Bandy single and a Rolando Gomez double off of starter Aaron Brooks. The Naturals had their best opportunity of the game in the third inning, as Mitch Canham reached on a two-out single and advanced to third on Eibner's double. Orlando Calixte grounded out to end the inning.
In the fourth inning, Robbie Widlansky scored on a Ryan Jones sacrifice fly for a 3-0 Travs lead. Cyle Hankerd capped the scoring in the fifth inning with a two-run home run.
Eibner went two-for-four with a single and a double, while Canham and Calixte each reached on singles.
Michael Cisco earned the win, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Starter Matt Oye allowed three hits with a strikeout in four innings.
Brooks took the loss for the Naturals as he allowed three runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts in five innings of work.Malcom Culver allowed two hits with a strikeout in two scoreless innings in his Double-A debut, while Jason Bergmann allowed two hits with a strikeout in a scoreless inning.
The Naturals begin the 2014 season on April 3rd in Texas against the Frisco RoughRiders. The 2014 home opener is on April 10, also against Frisco.