Baseball: Naturals set to face Springfield in North Division playoff

Corey Toups, Northwest Arkansas 2nd baseman, throws to first on a double play to end the 8th inning on Monday Sept. 5, 2016 during the Minor League Baseball game against Arkansas at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
Corey Toups, Northwest Arkansas 2nd baseman, throws to first on a double play to end the 8th inning on Monday Sept. 5, 2016 during the Minor League Baseball game against Arkansas at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

Northwest Arkansas enters tonight's Texas League North Division playoff series at Springfield on a roll, winning six of its last nine games.

The Naturals still needed a win on the last day of the regular season and got it with an 8-0 victory over Arkansas on Monday.

Texas League North Division Series

Today

Northwest Arkansas (Skoglund 7-10 3.45 ERA) at Springfield (Poncedeleon 9-8 3.52 ERA), 6:30 p.m.

Thursday

Northwest Arkansas (Sparkman 0-2 4.58 ERA) at Springfield (Sulbaran 3-4 3.95 ERA), 7:10 p.m.

Friday

Springfield at Northwest Arkansas, 7:05 p.m.

Saturday

Springfield at Northwest Arkansas, 2:05 p.m. (if necessary)

Sunday

Springfield at Northwest Arkansas, 2:05 p.m. (if necessary)

Naturals manager Vance Wilson said his team performed exceptionally with plenty on the line over the last week.

"The pitching was outstanding and we got good situational hitting," Wilson said. "Especially to know what they're playing for and knowing we had to get to five wins at home. Then to come out and have the performance we had on the last day. Just great week all the way around."

Northwest Arkansas (36-34 second half, 65-75 overall) will take on a Springfield team, the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, that got the better of the Naturals during the regular season. Springfield (34-36 second half, 75-65) won 18 of 32 meetings and won the first-half division title with a dominating 41-29 record.

The first two games of the best-of-five series will be played at Hammons Field in Springfield, while the Naturals will host game three, along with games four and five if necessary.

Northwest Arkansas has just 11 players remaining from the opening-day 25-man roster. A few holdovers have been a steadying influence, while a couple newcomers have grown up this season, Wilson said.

The trio of Mauricio Ramos, Frank Schwindel and Ryan O'Hearn have been solid run-producers in the middle of the lineup. Ramos and Schwindel started the season in Northwest Arkansas, while O'Hearn was called up less than a month into the season.

"From a position player standpoint, we've had guys who have really caught up to the league like Corey Toups and (Humberto) Arteaga," Wilson said. "Then we've had guys that have been our rocks like Ramos and Schwindel."

Ramos has been red-hot lately, hitting .346 in August/September with 23 RBIs. Toups has been an energizer in the leadoff spot since being called up from Class A-advanced Wilmington, Wilson said.

"Ramos has really anchored us with his consistency," Wilson said. "He's third in the league in hitting (.288) and second in hits. Knowing you can lean on one guy is big waiting on other guys to catch up to the league to keep you head above water."

Solid pitching has been a constant all season, despite the roster shuffles throughout the season. Wilson said right-hander Yender Caramo should be in the discussion for any tpe of team MVP honors. Caramo (5-7 2.45 ERA) started the season in the bullpen, but stepped into the rotation and has been strong in 10 starts.

Starter Eric Skoglund (7-10 3.45 ERA) was named to the Texas League Postseason All-Star team. The 6-foot-7 left-hander will start game one for the Naturals, followed by right-hander Glenn Sparkman (0-2 4.58 ERA) in game two. Wilson is undecided about the rotation for the remainder of the series.

Daniel Poncedeleon (9-8 3.52 ERA) will start for Springfield in game one, while former Natural J.C. Sulbaran (3-4 3.95 ERA) will oppose his former team for the Cardinals in game two.

Sports on 09/07/2016

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