SPRINGDALE -- Ryan O'Hearn unloaded twice against Corpus Christi Wednesday night.
O'Hearn slammed consecutive three-run home runs in his first two plate appearances to lead Northwest Arkansas to an 11-6 victory over the Hooks. A crowd of 2,398 watched the Naturals jump to an 8-2 in the second inning after falling 7-2 to Corpus Christi on Tuesday.
Ashton Goudeau (5-12) earned the victory in relief of Jason Vargas, who lasted 2 1/3 innings in a rebab start for the Naturals.
O'Hearn added a single in the sixth after hitting his 12th and 13th home runs on the season. Frank Schwindel went 4 for 5 for Northwest Arkansas, which set a season-high with 19 hits.
"Ryan stayed on it, pulling a home run and then going the other way," Northwest Arkansas manager Vance Wilson said. "That's what we need from him and he needs it as well."
Northwest Arkansas (27-25) did more in the first inning than it did for nine innings against the Hooks (25-27) on Tuesday. The Naturals collected four runs and six hits, including a three-run blast by O'Hearn. O'Hearn followed with another three-run home run in the second inning when the Naturals scored four more runs.
Vargas did not make it out of the third inning after he allowed his second home run of the game, this time to Ramon Laureano. The call to the bullpen went to Goudeau, who pitched 51/3 innings and allowed one run on four hits.
"(Goudeau) was able to get his off-speed (pitch) over and control their offense," Wilson said.
SHORT HOPS
• Northwest Arkansas surpassed its previous season-high for hits (18) against Springfield on June 15. Its season-high for runs (16) came against Midland on April 10.
• Left-hander Kent Emanuel had a disastrous start for Corpus Christi Wednesday night. The former All-American from North Carolina allowed eight runs and 10 hits in 12/3 innings. He beat Northwest Arkansas last week when he allowed four runs and nine hits in 52/3 innings.
• Northwest Arkansas strung together five consecutive hits in the first inning after being held to five hits Tuesday in a 7-2 loss to Corpus Christi. Humberto Arteaga grounded out before Logan Moon collected the sixth hit of the inning with an RBI single.
• Right fielder James Ramsey made the defensive play of the game for Corpus Christi when he rushed in and made a diving catch to take away a hit from Alfredo Escalera.
ON DECK: The series continues at 7:05 p.m. tonight with left-hander Eric Skoglund (6-8, 3.36 ERA) taking the mound for Northwest Arkansas against right-hander Cy Sneed (4-5, 4.73 ERA) for Corpus Christi.
TODAY'S PROMOTIONS: Thirsty Thursday with draft beer for $2 and Buck Night with items like mozzarella sticks and peanuts for $1 at concession stands.
On The Air: KQSM-FM 92-1
On The Web: www.nwanaturals.com
Sports on 08/18/2016