SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals fell hard to the Corpus Christi Hooks, 10-2, Thursday night in the opening game of a three game series.
Corpus Christi struck early, touching up Naturals starter Noel Arguelles for three runs on three hits and a walk in the first inning, then added two more in the third on a double and a single.
Northwest Arkansas got on the board in the fifth, when John Whittleman drove home Nick Van Stratten with the last of three consecutive singles. But Corpus Christi got that run back and more in the sixth with two home runs to lead 9-1 going to the bottom of the inning.
Alex McClure drove in Eric Duncan with a single in the sixth to make it 9-2, but again the Hooks answered, this time in the eighth, one run on back-to-back doubles to make it 10-2.
Arguelles went five innings, gave up five runs, all earned, struck out three and walked three.
Game two of the series is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch at Arvest Ballpark on Friday.