Naturals Need A Sunday Win To Stop A Losing Skid
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are looking to halt a 4-game losing skid as they close the series on Sunday in Tulsa. Three of the four losses have been by 3 runs, and one by one. The lone win, a 10-8 extra innings series opener on Tuesday, has now pushed the Naturals to an unblemished 7-0 in series-opening games. In this brief piece, we will analyze the season series versus the Drillers, give three keys to a Sunday win, and peek at who is next on the schedule.
Tulsa Time
In what has become a norm thus far in 2025, the Naturals and Drillers will face each other. This is now the third series, two of which have been in Tulsa, against the Drillers for NWA. In an odd stat, the Naturals have faced the Drillers more than any other team in the league this season.
This includes the rival of the Naturals, the Arkansas Travelers, whom they have yet to face this season. In what has been a series to forget for the Naturals, they enter Sunday on a losing skid. This is the third time the Naturals have lost four games in a row this season. Now an even 19-19 on the season, the Naturals are looking to climb back into the race for first place in the North Division of the Texas League.
Naturals Are Close Despite Losses
Despite the losses this week, the Naturals still have hope. If you look into the standings the Naturals are two games out of first place entering Sunday. Earlier this week, NWA was looking down from the top as they held the lead. Following the rough stretch, along with a Wichita Wind Surge win over the Travelers and there is greater hope.
In what will be an interesting coming week, the Wind Surge travel to San Antonio to tangle with the Sod Poodles. We will dive into who is next for the Naturals in the closing. This is a tight division as Frisco and Arkansas, the current leaders of the divisions, are only separated by three games from Tulsa, Corpus Christi.
How To Stop The Losses
In what has been a rough stretch, the Naturals ‘ Sunday finale in Tulsa is a key moment for this point in the season. To gain momentum as they return to Springdale, the Naturals will need to do many things well. With this, we will focus on three areas to stop the losses.
Ryan Ramsey On Mound
It starts on the mound for the Naturals. In this series closer, manager Brooks Conrad will turn to Ryan Ramsey. The 2022, 13th round draft pick will look to improve on his 2-0 record along with a 3.00 ERA as he takes the mound against the Drillers. The right-hander will feature three pitches in his toolbag. He hurls a four-seam fastball, curve, and changeup and is both effective and proficient in each.
In what will be his fifth start and seventh appearance of the season on Sunday, this is also the third start versus the Drillers for Ramsey. In his last time out, Ramsey was roughed up for a career-high 8 hits while allowing 5 runs over his 4 innings of work. His earned run average grew to the current 3.90 following this outing that included allowing his first home run since April 20th versus San Antonio.
The 24-year old will look to revisit the highlights of his season such as his starting a no-hitter on April 15th. Ramsey, as well as Chazz Martinez, Ryan Brady, and Brandon Johnson, became the third bunch to combine for a no-no in team history. In addition, this was the first no-hitter since the 2013 season when Brooks Pounders went wire to wire for a solo no-hitter.
Ramsey is key number one for a Naturals win on Sunday.
Score First and Often
In 2025, the Naturals have won 19 games. Of these, 14 have come when the team plates a run before its opponents. In games where the Naturals do not score first, this trend is in the wrong direction as they are 6-9 this season. In games played on Sunday, the Naturals have been successful as they are 4-2, including a 2-1 record in games played away from Arvest Ballpark. In these games, NWA has hit 11 home runs along with a .271 average. While working against the opponents on Sunday, the Naturals have a collective 4.76 ERA. To close on the finale numbers, the Naturals are 5-3 in games played during the day.
This season, the Naturals have been effective versus right-handed pitching. In these games, NWA has a 14-12 record and will face a righty in Ryan Campos for the Drillers on Sunday. Campos enters the game with a 1-0 record along with a 3.00 ERA.
What are some ways to get the runs back on the board? We take a look at a top player who returns to the lineup.
Jac Is Back
On Saturday night, the fans of the Naturals and Royals began to stir as we failed to see Jac Caglianone in the lineup. This was the first occurrence of this in the 37 games played entering the night. We assume this was just a day of rest for the top prospect of Kansas City and one who has amazed fans wherever the Naturals have played this season.
This would only last one game as the Naturals announced in pregame that Caglianone would start at first base for the series finale. Entering the Sunday game, Caglianone had 47 hits, 8 doubles, 9 home runs, and 41 RBI’s. Will his presence reignite the Naturals? We will soon find out.
In closing, the Naturals need this win. The Naturals need to stop the Drillers. Well, the Drillers donning the ‘Chicken Dancer’ jerseys for the third time this week, the Naturals will look to pluck them in the finale. So far this series, the Drillers are 2-0 when in this alternate uniform combination. With a win, they position themselves in the standings and return home to host the Arkansas Travelers starting on Tuesday, May 20th, for a six-game series.
Update On Start
The Sunday game is in delayed start due to rain in the area. Stay tuned to our social media pages for updated start times.
