Andy Ferguson (Benton, Arkansas State) pitched the eighth complete-game shutout in the seven-year history of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals franchise Saturday night in a 2-0 victory over the Springfield Cardinals.
The Naturals scored their two runs in the top of the fifth inning and let Ferguson (7-8) do the rest on the mound as the right-hander allowed four singles in front of an announced crowd of 7,038 at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
Ferguson struck out 4, walked 2 and threw 67 of his 101 pitches for strikes. He retired 10 Cardinals in a row at one point and retired the side in order in the first, fourth, fifth, sixth and ninth innings.
Ferguson allowed two singles in the third and a walk and a single in the seventh, and no Cardinals runner made it past second base.
Ferguson struck out Breyvic Valera to end the game.
Despite loading the bases in the first against Springfield starter Mike Mayers (1-4) and not scoring, the Naturals broke through in the fifth against the Cardinals' right-hander. Ethan Chapman reached on a bunt single with one out and was driven home by Angel Franco's triple to right field. Orlando Calixte then lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Franco with the Naturals' second run.
Calixte led the Northwest Arkansas offense with two hits.
The Naturals were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
Sports on 07/20/2014