Veneziano K's Seven in 8-3 Win Tuesday

Anthony Veneziano (2-1, 2.25) threw 5.0 shutout innings, striking out seven in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (8-8) 8-3 win over the San Antonio Missions (7-8) on Tuesday night to open a six-game series at Nelson Wolff Stadium. The two teams continue their series with a special 12:05 PM CT first pitch on Wednesday.

The game was scoreless, with Veneziano and Missions starter, and former Natural, Nolan Watson (0-1, 0.64) trading zeros until the top of the fifth. Northwest Arkansas scored two runs to take a 2-0 lead. In the sixth, Robbie Glendinning was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to extend the lead to 3-0.

San Antonio scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 3-1 game, but a five-run eighth highlighted by Jorge Bonifacio and Tyler Tolbert each tripling game NWA an 8-1 lead.

The Missions scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth, but Jacob Wallace recorded the final three outs, giving the Naturals an 8-3 win to open the six-game set.

The pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts while the offense put together 12 hits. Peyton Wilson led the way with a 4-for-5 day to boost his batting average to .387 for the season. Glendinning finished the night with two this and two RBI in the win.

The two teams will play the second game of the series at 12:05 PM CT on Wednesday with RHP Ronald Medrano making his Royals organization and Naturals debut in a start. Fans can catch all the action with the "Voice of the Naturals", Shawn Murnin, by listening on the MiLB first pitch app.