SPRINGDALE — Trey Hearne’s performance Sunday night proved to be a step in the right direction in Springfield’s 5-2 win over Northwest Arkansas.
Hearne, who had labrum surgery in his right shoulder after last season, has been working toward his comeback this year by not only regaining strength in his arm, but regaining confidence in his ability.
Hearne (2-1) picked up his second win this season by going seven strong innings, giving up only one run on four hits and striking out four.
Prior to his start Sunday night, Hearne had an earned run average of 3.38, giving up fi ve runs and striking out 10 in 13 1 /3 innings.
“That’s what we saw last year, (Hearne) was an All-Star here last year, won 12 games and is coming off shoulder surgery,” Springfield manager Pop Warner said. “(Sunday), you saw what we saw last year.”
Hearne, who threw 92 pitches, didn’t give up his first run until the seventh when Northwest Arkansas’ Anthony Seratelli hit a solo home run — his second of the season — over the right fi eld wall.
Prior to that, Hearne was untouchable by the Naturals’ bats.
“(Hearne) located and made some good pitches,” Naturals manager Brian Poldberg said. “He was able to spot up that down-andaway fastball, and then he brought his curveball in the fourth inning to give himself a different look. He did a good job.”
Springfield (14-15, 52-47) scored three runs through the first five innings, but could have had many more as the Cardinals left 16 baserunners stranded in the game.
Springfield’s Peter Kozma scored the Cardinals first run in the second inning when Antonio DeJesus hit an RBI single to right fi eld. Kozma finished with three hits in four plate appearances and had a team-high two RBIs.
Northwest Arkansas (19-10, 61-38), which left nine runners on base, got its second run in the eighth when Eric Hosmer hit a solo home run to left-center fi eld.
CARDINALS AT THE PLATE: Springfield totaled 15 basehits, but only managed to push five baserunners across the plate. Steven Hill, Kozma, Thomas Pham and DeJesus all had three hits, combining for four RBIs.
NATURALS AT THE PLATE: Northwest Arkansas only had two hits through the first five innings, mostly because of the stellar performance from Springfield’s starting pitcher. The Naturals had a chance to score more runs in the eighth before Hosmer’s fifth home run of the season when Johnny Giavotella hit into a double play.
CARDINALS ON THE MOUND: Hearne was outstanding during his seven innings on the mound, where he struck out four and gave up only one run on four hits.
NATURALS ON THE MOUND: Alex Caldera (3-1) picked up his first loss of the season after giving up three
2 runs on six hits in 4 /3 innings of work. Reliever Rowdy Hardy threw 83 pitches and gave up two runs on nine hits.
Alumni Update: Kansas City reliever Blake Wood made news on Sunday when he hit New York Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez in the hand in the eighth inning in Yankees Stadium. Rodriguez currently has 599 home runs, but after being hit by Wood, was taken out of the game for precautions and was later pronounced to be fine.
ON DECK: The two teams will play another 7:05 p.m. game today in Arvest Ballpark. Everett Teaford (8-3, 4.76 ERA) will get the start for the Naturals while righthander David Kopp (8-2, 3.06 ERA) will throw the first pitch for the Cardinals.
Teaford has been effective for the Naturals this season,
2 striking out 64 batters in 56 /3 innings while Kopp has struck
1 out 52 in 79 /3 innings.
Today’s game will be broadcast on KQSM 92.1-FM