Champlain K's 10 in Naturals Shut Out Win in North Little Rock

Chandler Champlain struck out a season-high 10 batters over 6.1 frames in a 3-0 shutout win for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (17-16) over the Arkansas Travelers (19-15) on Wednesday night at Dickey-Stephens Park.

The Naturals scored the first runs of the game in the top of the fifth off Travelers starter Juan Mercedes. Gavin Cross led off with a double and came around to score on a base hit by Josh Lester to make it 1-0. Luca Tresh then doubled and River Town walked to load the bases. Tyler Tolbert worked a walk, scoring Lester from third to extend the lead, 2-0.

In the top of the eighth, Northwest Arkansas increased the lead against Arkansas reliever Raul Alcantara. Javier Vaz walked and moved up to second on a groundout to put a runner in scoring position. Cross singled to right, scoring Vaz to put the Naturals up 3-0.

Naturals reliever Anderson Paulino tossed a scoreless ninth to end the game, 3-0.

Champlain (2-1) earned the win, striking out 10 while letting up three hits and a walk over 6.1 scoreless innings. Mercedes (1-2) took the loss, allowing two runs on three hits, three walks, and four strikeouts over 5.0 frames. Paulino (4) notched the save, letting up a hit in a shutout ninth.

The Naturals and Travelers will continue their six-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 6:35 PM CT. RHP Eric Cerantola (1-1, 1.54) takes the ball for Northwest Arkansas, while Blas Castano (0-1, 5.79) is on the mound for Arkansas.