PETERSON DELIVERS WALK-OFF HOMER AS NATURALS SWEEP CARDINALS

SPRINGDALE, Ark - Down to their final three outs, up stepped Kort Peterson with a runner on second and he delivered a walk-off, two-run home run as the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (4-0) completed the 4-game sweep of Springfield (0-4). The 6-5 victory over the Cardinals at Arvest Ballpark on Sunday gives them sole possession of first place in the Texas League North.
Trailing 5-4 in the ninth, the Naturals got things going against reliever John Fasola (L, 0-1). Taylor Featherston started it with a sharp double to left-center field to set the stage. Peterson, whom entered his final at-bat without a hit in the game, worked the count then lifted a 3-1 fastball on the inner half for a towering two-run blast and the team celebration ensued at home plate.

Before the ninth, Northwest Arkansas trailed the entire series finale as Springfield jumped on the board with three early runs. They scored two in the first on a Johan Mieses two-run homer before adding another in the third on a Conner Capel RBI single.
The Naturals got a run back in the home half of the third as Gabriel Cancel brought home Nick Heath with a two-out knock. The Cardinals would then stretch their lead back out to 4-1 in the sixth as Dylan Carlson continued his good series with a sacrifice fly. In the seventh inning, the visitors would add another to make it a 5-1 game on a sacrifice fly this time by Kramer Robertson .
From there it was all Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals stormed back with three runs in the home half of the seventh as Heath brought home Featherston with a bases loaded walk before Khalil Lee's infield single plated Peterson and the speedy D.J. Burt .
Reliever Grant Gavin (2-0) earned his second win out of the bullpen after 3.0 solid innings of work. The righty gave up a run on two hits and struck out three while keeping his offense within striking distance. He replaced Gabe Speier , whom worked 1.1 innings of one-run baseball, after the left-hander had relieved starter Ofreidy Gomez in the fourth inning after 84 pitches.
Gomez, 23, made his Double-A debut for Northwest Arkansas on Sunday afternoon. The young right-hander hailing out of the Dominican Republic worked in and around trouble and gave up three runs on five hits while striking out four on the day.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals have now won 13 out of their last 15 home games against the Springfield Cardinals dating back to June of 2018 while their 4-0 start to the 2019 season is the best in franchise history.
Northwest Arkansas will continue their season opening 7-game homestand by welcoming the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A Seattle Mariners) to Arvest Ballpark tomorrow night - Monday, April 8 - for a 3-game series. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. and it's a Monday Night Lights presented by Ozarks Electric Cooperative featuring $1 Hot Dog Night by Tyson Foods, Inc. and Indigo Sky Casino Baseball Bingo. The Naturals will send right-hander Andres Sotillet to the mound in his Double-A debut against righty Darren McCaughan of the Travelers. Catch the play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on KQSM 92.1 The Ticket at 1:45 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch of the series opener.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
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