Roughriders Defeat Naturals in Series Finale
April 9, 2016 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, Ark - Naturals designated-hitter Raul Mondesi belted his first home run of the season in the first to tie the game at 1; however, the Frisco RoughRiders (3-0) would break the game open with a five run fourth and ultimately defeat the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (0-3) by the score of 9-1 in the series finale on Saturday night at Arvest Ballpark.
After back-to-back doubles by Ryan Cordell and Lewis Brinson put the RoughRiders in front 1-0 after the top of the first inning, the Naturals had an immediate answer. Raul Mondesi, the Kansas City Royals top prospect according to Baseball America, stepped to the plate with one out and the bases clear and drove a 0-2 pitch over the wall in right to even the score.
The game remained tied until the fourth as RHP Christian Binford (0-1) and RHP Sam Wolff (1-0) posted scoreless frames in the second and third inning. The Frisco offense would come to life in the fourth inning as they used four consecutive hits including a 2-run double by Joe Jackson to extend the lead to 3-1. A defensive error combined with a couple of sacrifice flies by Luis Marte and Kellin Deglan stretched the lead to 6-1. Two more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth set the final tally at 9-1. The Naturals had four hits on the night while Frisco had 14 with five players contributing multi-hit games.
The Naturals bullpen was effective, specifically RHP Benino Pruneda, Jr. and RHP Kevin McCarthy, as they combined for eight strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work. Sam Wolff of Frisco recorded the win while Binford took the loss for Northwest Arkansas.
Northwest Arkansas will welcome the Midland RockHounds (Double-A Oakland A's) to town tomorrow afternoon for a 2:05 p.m. contest. The Naturals and RockHounds last faced each other in the 2015 Texas League Championship Series. Gates will open on Sunday, April 10 at 1 p.m. for a Kids Eat FREE Family Sunday featuring Mercy Kids Run the Bases following the game.
Midland will send LHP Joel Seddon to the mound while the Naturals will counter with RHP Jacob Junis. You can catch all the live play-by-play action with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for Naturals baseball on AM 1590 - The Ticket 2 at 1:50 p.m. for the Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch against the RockHounds at 2:05 p.m.
Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni.
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- Roughriders Defeat Naturals in Series Finale - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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- Oh Well ... There Goes Our Perfect Season - Midland RockHounds
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