Mariscal leads Travs’ 14-hit attack

Chris Mariscal tripled and singled twice as the Arkansas Travelers topped the Corpus Christi Hooks 6-3 on Tuesday at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas.

After five scoreless innings, Arkansas took the lead in the top of the sixth when Joey Curletta hit an RBI single and Chuck Taylor scored on a wild pitch.

After Arkansas added two runs in the seventh on a double by Braden Bishop to make it 4-0, the Hooks cut into the deficit with three runs in the seventh inning, including a solo home run by Nick Tanielu.

The Travelers tacked on two runs in the eighth when Mariscal hit an RBI triple and then scored on a ground out by Seth Mejias-Brean to secure the victory.

Mariscal was 3 for 4 to lead the Travelers, who finished with 14 hits, while Joseph Odom and Adam Law both went 2 for 4 and Chuck Taylor was 2 for 5.

Starter Chase De Jong (1-1) got the victory while Framber Valdez (0-1) took the loss in relief. De Jong went 6 innings, allowing all 3 Corpus Christi runs — all were earned — on 6 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Valdez allowed all

6 Arkansas runs on 9 hits with a walk and 2 strikeouts over 3 innings. Matt Festa retired the side in order for his first save of the season.

Tanielu added a single to go with his home run for the Hooks. He and Jamie Ritchie accounted for four of Corpus Christi’s six hits.

With the victory, Arkansas improved to 4-2 against Corpus Christi this season. The Travs are off today and will start a four-game series against Springfield at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock on Thursday.