Orlando Calixte's two-out single in the top of the seventh inning was the difference in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' 3-2 victory over the Springfield Cardinals on Thursday night at Hammons Field in Springfield, Mo.
The Naturals were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position, but the one hit came from Calixte and scored Angel Franco, who walked to lead off the inning with the score tied 2-2. The Naturals (24-42) loaded the bases after Calixte's hit but were unable to push across an insurance run as Chelor Cuthbert flew out to left field to end the inning.
Trailing 1-0 after the second inning, the Naturals went in front with two runs in the top of the sixth when Ethan Chapman and Lane Adams scored on a error by Springfield second baseman Jacob Wilson, who threw away Calixte's ground ball.
The Cardinals (31-35) tied the score 2-2 off reliever Malcom Culver (4-2) in the bottom of the sixth when Patrick Wisdom's sacrifice fly scored James Ramsey.
Seth Blair (3-6) relieved Kurt Heyer to begin the seventh and walked Franco with one out. Chapman's single moved Franco to second. After Adams struck out, Calixte lined his RBI single to left field.
Scott Alexander and Andrew Triggs combined to strike out three in the final two innings to seal the victory for the Naturals.
Sports on 06/13/2014