San Antonio Missions edged the Northwest Arkansas Naturals 3-2 Wednesday night at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, improving their dominance in recent one-run matchups between the teams. Albert Fabian’s RBI single in the bottom of the sixth broke a 2-2 tie and ultimately decided the game.
Fabian’s hit to left field drove in Kai Roberts, who had reached base on a walk, stolen second, and set the stage to take the lead. Fabian finished the game with three hits, an RBI, and one run scored, highlighting his offensive contribution.
Starting pitcher Eric Yost collected the win for the Missions. Yost (7-2) delivered 6 1/3 scoreless innings, effectively shutting down the Naturals’ hitters over the majority of the contest. His outing helped stabilize San Antonio (53-63 overall, 22-25 in the second half) and maintain their contender status in the Texas League.
The Naturals (47-67 overall, 18-29 second half) struck first in the top of the second inning. Daniel Vazquez singled to left, stole second, and scored on Colton Becker’s single to center field, giving Northwest Arkansas an early 1-0 lead. The Missions responded immediately in the bottom of the second. Justin DeCriscio reached base on an infield single, stole second, and came home on Anthony Vilar’s squeeze bunt, tying the game 1-1.
Northwest Arkansas regained the lead in the third inning with a run of their own. Luke Pelzer, who finished with two hits, singled and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Javier Vaz. Pelzer then scored, putting the Naturals ahead 2-1. The teams remained deadlocked until Fabian’s decisive hit in the sixth.
San Antonio pitcher Frank Mozzicato, who took the loss (2-5 record), was on the mound during the go-ahead run. The sequence underscored the pitching duel between Mozzicato and Yost, with the latter’s control in the middle innings tipping the scales in San Antonio’s favor.
The game continued with both teams fighting to regain the lead, but strong pitching and defensive play from the Missions shut down further scoring. The result adds another narrow victory to the Missions’ record against their Northwest Arkansas rivals, who are working through a challenging season reflected in their sub-.500 overall and second-half records.
This contest marks another chapter in the ongoing competitive rivalry between Northwest Arkansas and San Antonio within the Texas League’s second half. The Naturals will look to bounce back in upcoming games, while the Missions aim to capitalize on their momentum as the stretch run of the season approaches.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
