Three-Run Third Stands for Travs

CORPUS CHRISTI – Arkansas closer Michael Stryffeler escaped a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning Friday night to preserve a 3-2 Travelers victory over the Hooks before 5,213 fans at Whataburger Field.

The Travs (8-5) mustered 11 hits, all singles, in their fifth one-run win of the year. Arkansas tallied all three of its runs in the third as Hooks starter Tyler Brown battled through a 28-pitch frame.

Brown scattered eight hits and two walks while stranding seven in his four innings of work. Devin Conn struck out two in a scoreless fifth before giving way to lefty Julio Robaina who dazzled over the final four, facing one over the minimum. The Cuban southpaw struck out four.

Wilyer Abreu belted his third home run of the year to lead off the Hooks first.

Corpus Christi had a runner reach in each inning sans for the second. The lone Hooks hit with runners in scoring position was a two-out RBI single off the bat of Justin Dirden in the eighth. CC left 11 and struck out a season-high 14 times.

Now trailing, 3-1, in the series, right-hander Cody Deason aims to put the Hooks back in the win column Saturday night. Taylor Dollard is slated to pitch for the Travelers. First pitch is 7:05 PM as the first 2,000 fans receive a Hooks Bucket Hat from Whataburger.