TEXAS LEAGUE

Threlkeld’s blast in ninth a winner

Springfield outhit the Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday night, but Naturals first baseman Mark Threlkeld delivered the biggest hit of the night.

Threlkeld’s two-out home run in the bottom of the ninth inning gave the Naturals a 3-2 victory in front of an announced crowd of 2,646 and ended a seven-game losing streak at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

Springfield (9-9) brought in right-hander Ronnie Shaban (0-1) to replace Joey Donofrio to open the ninth, and Shaban retired the first two batters he faced by striking out Jared Schlehuber and getting Whit Merrifield on a ground out to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez.

Threlkeld ran the count to 3-2, then sent Shaban’s next pitch over the wall in left field to even the four-game series at one game each. The home run capped a 2-for-3 night for Threlkeld, who also scored a run.

Lane Adams went 2 for 4 for Northwest Arkansas (5-13). That included his first home run of the season, which came in the fourth inning against starter Seth Blair and tied the game at 1-1.

Northwest Arkansas starter Tim Melville gave up 1 run on 5 hits and struck out 5 over 5 innings but didn’t figure into the decision as Malcom Culver (2-1) earned the victory in relief.

The Naturals bullpen worked in and out of trouble all night. Culver and Angel Baez both allowed runners to advance into scoring position but managed to get out of trouble by striking out the side. Northwest Arkansas’ staff struck out a season-high 15 batters, with Melville, Baez and Culver striking out five apiece.

Today’s game NW ARKANSAS VS. SPRINGFIELD WHEN 11:05 a.m.

WHERE Arvest Ballpark, Springdale RADIO KQSM-FM, 92.1, in Northwest Arkansas WEBSITE nwanaturals.com TICKETS $12 super premium, $10 premium, $8 reserved, $7 grass berm

TUESDAY’S GAMES Tulsa 2-1, Arkansas 0-0 Northwest Arkansas 3, Springfield 2 Frisco 7, San Antonio 5 Corpus Christi 6, Midland 5 (12)

TODAY’S GAMES All times Central Tulsa at Arkansas, 11 a.m.

Springfield at NW Arkansas, 11:05 a.m.

San Antonio at Frisco, 7:05 p.m.

Midland at Corpus Christi, 7:10 p.m.

Sports, Pages 23 on 04/23/2014

Upcoming Events