SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Northwest Arkansas Naturals used a big first inning to put the Springfield Cardinals away, 12-4 Saturday night.
The Naturals scored eight runs on seven hits in the first, including two doubles and a three-run home run from Mario Lisson.
Northwest Arkansas added on in the third. After a one-out triple from Lisson, Alex McClure singled to center, scoring Lisson. In the fourth, Manny Pina singled to left, scoring Brian Fletcher to make it 10-0 and give the Naturals their first double-digit run output since June 3.
In the sixth, a triple from Carlo Testa scored Paulo Orlando, and then Testa scored on a groundout from Lisson to make it 12-0.
Springfield added two each in the eighth and ninth to make it 12-4.
Lisson finished 3-5 with two runs and four driven in.
The series continues Sunday night, first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m.