NATURALS RALLY FALLS SHORT IN 6-5 LOSS TO AMARILLO IN 11 INNINGS

SPRINGDALE, AR – After a starting pitching duel for the first six innings, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals forced extra innings with the Amarillo Sod Poodles, but a late rally in the bottom of the 11th came up short, as the Sod Poodles took the series opener, 6-5 on Tuesday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark.

Northwest Arkansas starter Drew Parrish pitched 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit without a walk while striking out six, going toe-to-toe with Amarillo starter Drey Jamison, who threw six shutout innings without a walk as well.

The Sod Poodles struck reliever Stephen Woods Jr. for a run in the seventh and led 1-0 going into the bottom of the ninth. Down to their final out, the Naturals rallied and sent four straight to the plate with two outs, with Sebastian Rivero doubling home Michael Massey to tie the score at 1-1 and force extra innings.

Massey was a bright spot in the order for the Naturals, going 3-for-5 at the plate, with a two-out double in the ninth that kickstarted the rally.

Left fielder John Rave also found success at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two walks, reaching base in four of his five plate appearances.

Zach Willeman pitched scoreless ninth and 10th innings for the Naturals, providing the chance for a walk-off in the bottom of the 10th, but the Naturals left the winning run on third base for the second straight inning and send the game to the 11th.

Amarillo tagged left-hander Walter Pennington for five runs on four hits and two walks in the top of the 11th and while things looked bleak going into the bottom half, the Naturals managed to rally once again with two outs.

Nick Loftin, the placed runner on second base to begin the 11th inning, scored on a sac fly from Rivero to bring the Naturals within four. Seuly Matias was hit by a pitch before Rivero drove in the run, then Rave drew a walk to bring Robbie Glendinning to the plate, who blasted a three-run homer to left field and bring the Naturals within a run. Tucker Bradley bunted for a base hit to bring the winning run to the plate, but the comeback fell a run short, as Amarillo finished off Northwest Arkansas and Bradley was stranded on first to end the game.

The Naturals look to bounce back Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CT against Amarillo, with left-hander Anthony Veneziano making his fourth start of the year.