SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Wichita Wind Surge (17-22) took the series finale with a 6-3 win over the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (15-24) Sunday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark, powered by three home runs and four scoreless innings from Preston Johnson.
Caden Kendle led the offense with three hits, including a homer, and drove in two runs. Garrett Spain also recorded a multi-hit game and homered for the second consecutive contest, giving him multiple hits and a home run in back-to-back games. Kyle DeBarge went deep as well, launching his 12th home run of the season.
On the mound, Johnson turned in a stellar start, allowing just one hit and striking out four over four scoreless innings. Kyle Bischoff added two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and recorded his fourth save of the season.
THE RUNDOWN
Johnson started on the mound for Wichita and cruised through his first two innings, striking out three without allowing a hit.
The Wind Surge opened the scoring in the third, using a pair of walks to put a runner in scoring position before Kendle lined an RBI single to give Wichita a 1-0 lead.
Johnson continued his strong outing through the fourth, finishing with four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four.
The Wind Surge doubled their lead in the fifth when DeBarge crushed a hanging breaking ball over the left-field wall for his 12th home run of the season.
The Naturals took the lead in the bottom half of the inning, drawing a pair of walks before hitting a three-run home run to go ahead 3-2.
After two scoreless innings, Wichita reclaimed the lead in the eighth. Kendle and Spain launched back-to-back home runs to put the Wind Surge ahead 4-3 before Jorel Ortega doubled home two more runs to extend the advantage to 6-3.
Bischoff recorded the final six outs to close out the 6-3 victory and secure a 4-2 series win for Wichita.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Wind Surge won the series, 4-2.
- Kyle DeBarge hit his 12th home run of the season.
- Caden Kendle hit his fourth home run of the season and has homered in back-to-back games.
- Kendle recorded his eighth multi-hit game of the season.
- Garrett Spain hit his 18th home run of the season and recorded his 22nd multi-hit game.
- Spain has recorded multiple hits and a home run in two consecutive games.
- Jake Rucker extended his on-base streak to 13 games.
- Jorel Ortega recorded his fourth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Jay Thomason extended his on-base streak to six games.
- RHP Preston Johnson tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four.
- RHP Kyle Bischoff recorded his 22nd scoreless appearance and fourth save of the season.
STAT OF THE DAY
2 — Garrett Spain has recorded multiple hits and a home run in two consecutive games.
WHAT'S NEXT