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Sod Poodles fail to score in pair of losses to Arkansas during Thursday double-header

Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Drew Stankiewicz (13) turns a double play against the San Antonio Missions on Friday, April 22, 2022, at HODGETOWN in Amarillo, Texas.
Amarillo Sod Poodles infielder Drew Stankiewicz (13) turns a double play against the San Antonio Missions on Friday, April 22, 2022, at HODGETOWN in Amarillo, Texas.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Amarillo Sod Poodles lost both games of a road doubleheader Thursday against the Arkansas Travelers.

Arkansas starting pitcher Connor Jones (2-2, 3.32 ERA) tossed a seven-inning no-hitter that included three walks and eight strikeouts to shut down the Amarillo offense in the first contest.

The Soddies' offense didn't get going in the nightcap, either, as they dropped the final contest of the twin bill 2-0.

The Travelers scored at least one run in five straight innings from the second through the sixth to steadily increase their lead en route to the victory.

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Right fielder Zach DeLoach and designated hitter Jack Larsen were the top performers at the plate for Arkansas. DeLoach was 3-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored while Larsen went 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.

Amarillo starter Blake Walston (0-2, 12.27 ERA) lost his second game after allowing five runs (earned) on eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. Keegan Curtis finished the game on the bump with one run allowed (earned) on three hits across the game's final 1 2/3 innings.

Arkansas' pitching excellence was the story of the game, however; this time it was a shutout by committee.

Starter Collin Kober (1 IP, 2 SO) and relievers Ben Onyshko (2 IP, 2 H), Devin Sweet (2 IP, 1 BB, 2 SO), Braden Shipley (1 IP, 1 SO), and Michael Stryffeler (1 IP, 1 SO) combined to allowed two hits and strike out six batters en route to their second win of the night.

Shipley (2-1, 0.83 ERA) was given the win while Stryffeler (1.06 ERA) recorded his seventh save of the season.

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Arkansas scored the game's winning runs in the bottom of the sixth when third baseman Joe Rizzo homered to right center field and centerfielder Cade Marlowe hit an RBI single to extend the lead to two.

Amarillo designated hitter Andy Yerzy and third baseman Blaze Alexander were the lone Soddies to get a hit on the strong Traveler pitching staff.

The Sod Poodles pitching trio of starter Josh Green (3 IP, 1 H, 4 SO), Jake Rice (2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 SO), and losing pitcher Brett de Geus (1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER) took the hill in the loss.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo Sod Poodles go scoreless, swept in road twin bill against Arkansas Travelers