Wind Surge Can’t Handle Late Rally, Drop Third Of Four Against Naturals

SPRINGDALE, Ark.—The Wichita Wind Surge fell 7-6 to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals after the Naturals scored five straight runs in two of the final three innings.

Marco Raya had a primary thorn in the side in the form of Gavin Cross. Northwest Arkansas’s right fielder worked an RBI single to right field in the first inning and a solo home run in the last of the fourth to provide a 2-0 Naturals lead.

There’d be little offensive action until the top of the sixth inning. Kala’i Rosario went the opposite way on a two-run double to score Noah Cardenas and Carson McCusker and tie the contest at two for Wichita. Alerick Soularie piled upon what Rosario did by leaving the yard in left for his first home run of the season to create a 4-2 lead for the Wind Surge.

Further insurance came an inning later in the form of Rosario repeating history by smacking a second two-RBI double to the right center alley. McCusker crossed home plate alongside Emmanuel Rodriguez.

The Naturals offense crept up on Jaylen Nowlin before tagging the lefty for five runs across the seventh and eighth innings. Rosario reached on a walk with two outs in the ninth before Soularie struck out swinging to end the game.

Nowlin received the loss to fall back to an even 2-2 record in 2024. The lefty gave up five runs (two earned) on six hits in four innings besides six strikeouts.

Wichita continues its series with Northwest Arkansas tomorrow, Saturday, May 4, with the first pitch at 6:05 PM. You can listen to Wind Surge games on ESPN Wichita 92.3 and windsurge.com or watch online at MiLB.TV and Bally Live. For ticket information, please visit windsurge.com.