Courtesy of the Wichita Wind Surge
SPRINGDALE, AR — Aaron Sabato had a three-hit game, drove in three runs and hit a home run for the Wind Surge, but every time the Surge got within one run the Naturals pulled away. Wichita lost game three against NW Arkansas 10-6 and now lead the series two games to one.
The Naturals got on the board in the bottom of the first. Jorge Bonifacio hit an RBI double to left field and then Jeison Guzman hit a two RBI single. NW Arkansas had earned themselves an early three run lead.
Wichita scored their first run of the ball game in the top of the second. Willie Joe Garry Jr. hit an RBI single after Seth Gray and Alex Isola hit back-to-back doubles to put themselves in scoring position.
Sabato hit a 381-foot solo home run in the top of the third for the Wind Surge. The Naturals lead was now cut to just one run.
NW Arkansas extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Peyton Wilson hit a soft ground ball in the infield for an RBI single. Bonifacio then came to the plate and hit a three-run home run over the left field wall.
The Wind Surge bats caught on fire in the top of the seventh. Sabato got his third hit of the game when he drove in two runs off a sharp ground ball to right field. Patrick Winkel drove hit an RBI single on a line drive to center field and then Shuffield hit an RBI single on a line drive to right field. By the end of the inning the Naturals lead was cut to just one run for the second time in the ball game.
Leonel Valera hit a two out RBI triple in the bottom of the seventh for the Naturals. He was able to reach home after a wild pitch by Hunter McMahon and scored another run for NW Arkansas.
In the bottom of the eighth Cayden Wallace hit an RBI single to bring the Naturals score to double digits.
Travis Adams made his team leading 19th start of the season on the mound for the Wichita Wind Surge. He pitched four and a third innings where he gave up six runs off six hits. He struck out four batters and walked three more. He was credited with the loss, and his record falls to (2-8).
The starting pitcher for NW Arkansas was Chandler Champlain. He pitched six innings where he gave up four runs off seven hits. He struck out seven batters and walked two more. He earned the win, and his record improves to (3-2).
The Wichita Wind Surge fall to (17-19, 45-59) and the NW Arkansas Naturals improve to (18-17, 47-57).
NOTES: Dalton Shuffield extended his hitting streak to six games. He has recorded a hit in every game since he joined the Wind Surge roster. The four-game win streak for the Wind Surge came to an end with tonight’s loss.
BROADCAST: ESPN 92.3 FM, Milb First Pitch App, Windsurge.com, MiLB.tv and Bally Live app.
UPCOMING: The Wichita Wind Surge are on the road in Northwest Arkansas for a six-game series against the Naturals. Game four will be played at 7:05 PM on Friday, August 11th. RH Marco Raya will take the mound for the Wind Surge and RH Will Fleming will take the mound for the Naturals.
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.