Surge Drop Second Game to Naturals

NW Arkansas 8

Wichita 5

WICHITA, KS– The Wind Surge could not stop the Naturals’ offense as Northwest Arkansas took game two of this series, 8-5.

The Naturals opened the scoring in the top of the second off a solo home run from Brewer Hicklen. In the bottom of the third, Wichita tied the game back up at one a piece. After Roy Morales doubled to center field and Chris Williams drew a walk, Leobaldo Cabrera ripped a single to left center field to score Morales easily and put runners at the corners. The Naturals’ Yefri Del Rosario got out of the jam to end the threat only allowing one Surge runner to cross the plate.

After the Naturals jumped out to a 3-1 lead off a Freddy Fermin two-RBI double, the Wind Surge cut one run off the deficit in the bottom of the fourth. Roy Morales picked up his second hit of the night on a grounder through the right side, scoring Aaron Whitefield and putting Wichita within reach. However, the Naturals continued to pour it on in the top half of the fifth as they tacked on five runs in the inning to build an 8-2 lead. Aaron Whitefield scored on a wild pitch to put up the third run for the Surge in the bottom of the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, it looked as though Wichita had a chance to get back into the game down 8-3. The Surge managed to load the bases with one out in the inning. Spencer Steer stepped up to the plate and blasted a pitch to deep center field. Unfortunately, Steer hit it to the deepest part of the park, and it stayed inside the fence. Andrew Bechtold tagged and scored from third to put some life back into the Surge.

Once again, Wichita had another opportunity in the bottom of the ninth with two on and nobody out but could only bring one runner home. Roy Morales picked up his second RBI of the evening with a line drive single to center field, plating Jermaine Palacios for the fifth and final run for Wichita.

Roy Morales extended his hitting streak with a 3-4 night at the plate driving in two and scoring once. Leobaldo Cabrera also had a solid night at the plate he went 2-4 on the evening with one RBI.

Chris Vallimont worked four innings in his ninth start on the mound. Vallimont allowed three runs on two hits and struck out six.

NOTES: Roy Morales extended his hitting streak to five games. Trey Cabbage extended his hitting streak to five games.

COMING UP: Wichita will play game three against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals tomorrow night (7/8). First pitch is set for 7:05 pm from Riverfront Stadium. Wichita will start RHP Austin Schulfer (2-4, 3.73 ERA) against Northwest Arkansas RHP Jon Heasley (4-1, 3.13 ERA). RADIO/TV: KGSO 1410 AM and 93.9 FM, MiLB.TV and Windsurge.com.