Surge Give Up Walk off Loss on the Road
August 11, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
Wichita Wind Surge News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - Aaron Rozek pitched four scoreless innings out of the bullpen to put the Wind Surge in a great opportunity to win the ball game. A late Naturals rally in the eighth lead NW Arkansas to a walk off 8-7 win over the Wind Surge in game four. The series is now tied up at two games apiece.
A run was scored in the bottom of the first that gave the Naturals an early lead. Wind Surge starting pitcher Marco Raya walked four batters in the inning that forced a run to score.
The Wind Surge took the lead in the top of the second after Alerick Soularie hammered a ball 430 feet for a two-run home run that flew over the left field wall.
Wichita extended their lead in the top of the third off a pair of home runs and a double. First, Yoyner Fajardo hit his seventh home run of the season on a fly ball to right field for a solo home run. Then, Patrick Winkel hit an RBI double on a fly ball that dropped in deep center field. The final runs of the inning were scored when Seth Gray hit a two-run home run over the right center field wall.
Soularie drove in his third run of the day in the top of the fifth inning. He hit a sharp ground ball to center field for an RBI single.
In the bottom of the sixth the Naturals started to chip away at the Surge lead. Leonel Valera hit a two RBI single on a line drive to right field.
NW Arkansas tied the game back up in the bottom of the eighth. Morgan McCullough hit an RBI single, Valera hit a two-run home run and Tyler Tolbert hit a solo home run.
The Naturals got the win in the bottom of the ninth when Luca Tresh hit a walk-off RBI single.
Raya made his sixth start of the season on the mound for the Wichita Wind Surge. He pitched one inning where he did not allow a hit, but he did give up a single run after walking four batters. Aaron Rozek pitched an exceptional four scoreless innings after coming in the game to relieve Raya. He gave up just two hits and struck out five batters. Miguel Rodriguez was credited with the loss.
The starting pitcher for NW Arkansas was Will Fleming. He pitched three innings where he gave up six runs off five hits. He struck out four batters and walked none. Beck Way pitched four scoreless innings to earn the win in relief.
The Wichita Wind Surge fall to (17-20, 45-60) and the NW Arkansas Naturals improve to (19-17, 48-57).
NOTES: Dalton Shuffield's six game hit streak came to an end.
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 five will be played at 6:05 PM on Saturday, August 12th. RH Jaylin Nowlin will take the mound for the Wind Surge and RH Andrew Hoffman 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.
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