Naturals Hold Off Tulsa

By Paul Nielsen THE MORNING NEWS SPRINGDALE - Kila Kaaihue hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and Marc Maddox added two singles and a double as Northwest Arkansas defeated Tulsa 4-3 before 4,170 at Arvest Ballpark. The start of the game was delayed nearly 90 minutes because of rain. The win was the 10th straight at home and the third in a row for the Naturals (19-13). Coupled with Springfield's loss to Arkansas, the Naturals now own a one-game lead over the Cardinals in the Texas League North Division standings. Maddox started the Naturals' first inning with a one-out double. Kaaihue then hit a two-out home run for a 2-0 lead. Kaaihue leads the Texas League with 25 home runs. Maddox gave Northwest Arkansas a 3-0 lead with an RBI single in the third and scored on a sacrifice by Kaaihue that upped the lead to 4-0.... [read full story]