Preview: WindSurge, Travelers Continue Series After Pitching Duel

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Interstat) — The Wichita WindSurge and Arkansas Travelers will look for a series edge Thursday night at Dickey-Stephens Park after splitting the first two games of their set.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 74 degrees.

The WindSurge (2-3) evened the series with a 2-1 victory Wednesday, powered by a stellar outing from Ryan Gallagher. The right-hander, a player to watch, tossed five scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out six. Wichita’s bullpen combined for four innings of one-run ball to secure the win.

Arkansas (1-4) seeks to rebound after stranding multiple runners in the one-run loss. A player to watch for the Travelers is right-hander Nico Tellache, who took the loss Wednesday after surrendering two runs over 4 1/3 innings.

The series has been defined by pitching, with the teams combining for just nine runs through two games.

Wichita will send right-hander C.J. Culpepper (0-0) to the mound for his first start of the season. Arkansas will counter with right-hander Ryan Hawks (0-0), also making his season debut.

Both clubs have struggled offensively in the early season. The Travelers have scored two or fewer runs in four of their five games, while the WindSurge have been held to two runs or fewer in three of their five contests.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projection favors the Travelers to break out with a 4-2 victory.

Following Thursday’s game, the teams will meet for the fourth of a six-game series Friday night in North Little Rock.