Skoglund, Schwindel Send Naturals to Victory
June 24, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
TULSA, Okla. - Left-hander, Eric Skoglund tossed 7.0 innings and struck out five batters while Frank Schwindel finished 3-for-4 with his second multi-home run game of the season as the Naturals pummeled the Tulsa Drillers, 7-1, on Friday night at ONEOK Field. The victory evened the four-game series at a game each.
Skoglund (4-5, 3.50) looked sharp early and throughout his outing as his offensive mates supported his efforts early. Northwest Arkansas (32-42/3-1) built a four-run lead in the second inning off starter Tim Shibuya (0-4, 3.89) of the Drillers. Schwindel doubled to lead-off the inning and later scored on a Logan Moon base-hit to left field. With runners at first and third base and one out, Jack Lopez belted a three-run homer to highlight the four-run frame.
The lone run allowed by Skoglund came in the third frame. With two fielding errors behind him, the Drillers plated the lone run without collecting a hit in the inning. The southpaw pitched into the seventh inning for the fourth time this season and completed seven frames for the second. His final line read 7.0 innings, four hits, one run (unearned) with five strikeouts. He tossed 87 pitches with 63 going for strike.
Northwest Arkansas plated their fifth run in the fourth inning after three consecutive singles extended the lead to 5-1. Schwindel blasted his first of two homers in the sixth and his second in the eighth, making it a 7-1 final.
The multi -home run game is the fourth of his career and second of the season. The 2016 All-Star Home Run Derby participant has 11 on the season with 34 runs batted in to lead the Naturals in both categories.
The Naturals pounded out 14 hits in the rout of Tulsa with eight of the nine starters collecting at least one hit.
Right-hander, Aroni Nina fired a pair of scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth to notch the win.
Northwest Arkansas looked to take a series lead on Saturday night over the Tulsa Drillers (40-33/3-1) with right-hander, Ashton Goudeau (2-4, 2.97) to take the hill against the Drillers' all-star right-hander, Chase De Jong (7-4, 2.64) with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch from ONEOK Field.
Join the Voice of the Naturals, Benjamin Kelly, for a 6:45 p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show, leading-up to first pitch.
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