Surge secure series win in extras
SPRINGDALE, AR - Alex Isola had a career day at the plate for the Wind Surge in today’s ball game. He hit a two-run home run, a grand slam and had six RBIs in the Wind Surge 9-8 victory over the Naturals that went into extra innings. Wichita won the
SPRINGDALE, AR - Alex Isola had a career day at the plate for the Wind Surge in today’s ball game. He hit a two-run home run, a grand slam and had six RBIs in the Wind Surge 9-8 victory over the Naturals that went into extra innings. Wichita won the series four games to two and have now won back-to-back series for the first time this season.
Alex Isola started his excellent outing when he hit his 13th home run of the season in the top of the third inning. The two-run homer gave the Wind Surge an early lead.
The Surge increased their lead to three in the top of the fourth off an unearned run. Dalton Shuffield grounded into a double play at second and first, and then Patrick Winkel took advantage of the situation to reach home from third.
The Naturals got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. Javier Vaz hit an RBI single on a sharp line drive to right field.
Wichita made some mistakes on defense in the bottom of the sixth that allowed the Naturals to take the lead. Jeison Guzman hit a two RBI single on a soft line drive to right field. Aaron Sabato made a missed catch error when the Surge infield were attempting to complete a run down of the runner from first to second, and another run was able to reach home for the Naturals. The final two runs of the inning were scored when Vaz hit a two RBI triple to put the Naturals up by one.
Isola came to the plate for the Wind Surge with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh. He launched a ball 417 feet for a grand slam that soared over the left field wall. The Surge now had a one run lead which was increased to two runs when Winkel hit an RBI double on a fly ball to left field.
The Naturals cut the Surge lead down to just one run in the bottom of the eighth. Vaz grounded into a force out that allowed Luca Tresh to reach home.
NW Arkansas forced extra innings when they tied the ballgame up in the bottom of the ninth. Jorge Bonifacio hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field that scored the runner from third.
The Wind Surge took a one run lead in the top of the tenth off an RBI double for Winkle that bounced off the centerfield wall.
David Festa made his 18th start of the season on the mound for the Wichita Wind Surge. He pitched five innings where he gave up only one run off three hits. Festa struck out four batters and walked three more. Isaac Mattson earned the win, and his record improves to (3-1).
The starting pitcher for NW Arkansas was Noah Cameron. He pitched five innings also and gave up three runs off four hits. He struck out five batters and walked one. John McMillon was credited with the loss and his record falls to (3-2).
The Wichita Wind Surge improve to (19-20, 47-60) and the NW Arkansas Naturals fall to (19-19, 48-59).
NOTES: Alex Isola hit his first grand slam of the season and it was also his first multi home run game of the season. Wichita earned back-to-back series wins for the first time this season with today’s win.
BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App, Windsurge.com, MiLB.tv and Bally Live app.
NEXT HOME GAME: The Wind Surge return to Riverfront Stadium Tuesday, August 15th to host a six-game series against the Springfield Cardinals. First pitch will be at 7:05 PM and it is $1 Hot Dog Night.