Wichita Wind Surge closes out series with win against Hooks

SUNDAY, MAY 29

WIND SURGE 7, HOOKS 6

Top performers

Wind Surge: Michael Helman 2-4, 2 R, RBI; Dennis Ortega 1-4, R, RBI; Andrew Bechtold 1-5, R, RBI; Chris Williams 2-4, R, 3 RBI; DaShawn Keirsey 1-5, R, RBI; Varland 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K; Evan Sisk W (3-0), 2 IP, 1 BB, 4 K

Hooks: Enmanuel Valdez 3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI; Justin Dirden 2-4, R, 4 RBI; Jose Alvarez 2-4

Highlights: The Hooks battled back from an early 4-0 deficit to take a 6-4 lead thanks to a grand slam by Dirden in the seventh. But the Wind Surge scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings, including a home run from DaShawn Keirsey in the ninth, which was the eventual game-winning run.

SATURDAY, MAY 28

HOOKS 14, WIND SURGE 13

Top performers

Wind Surge: Austin Martin 2-6, RBI; Matt Wallner 1-2, HR, 4 R, RBI; Dennis Ortega 1-6, HR, RBI, R; Leobaldo Cabrera 2-3, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R; Michael Helman 2-5, 2 R; DeShawn Keirsey 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 R; Ernie Yake 2-5, 2 RBI, R.

Hooks: Bryan Arias 1-6, 2 RBI; Wilyer Abreu 2-5, 2B, RBI, 3 R; Luke Berryhill 3-5, 2 2B, 3 R, RBI; Justin Dirden 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Enmanuel Valdez 3-3, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R; Yainer Diaz 3-5, 2B, RBI, R; Grae Kessinger 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R; Jose Alvarez 1-4, 2 R.

Highlights: Bryan Arias hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the game for the Hooks in come-from-behind fashion at Whataburger Field. Corpus Christi overcame a six-run deficit by scoring five runs in the fourth inning, three in the seventh and two in the ninth. Enmanuel Valdez tied the game at 13 in the ninth with an RBI double before Arias' game-winning knock. Valdez, Luke Berryhill and Yainer Diaz combined for nine of the Hooks' 15 hits.

Hooks outfielder Wilyer Abreu (22) high fives manager Gregorio Petit after hitting a home run in a game against the Wichita Wind Surge on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.
Hooks outfielder Wilyer Abreu (22) high fives manager Gregorio Petit after hitting a home run in a game against the Wichita Wind Surge on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.

FRIDAY, MAY 27

WIND SURGE 8, HOOKS 6

Top performers

Wind Surge: Austin Martin 3-5, 2B, 3 R; Matt Wallner 2-5, 2 RBI, R; Chris Williams 1-4, R; Dennis Ortega 2-5, 2 RBI; Leobaldo Cabrera 1-4, 2 RBI.

Hooks: Wilyer Abreu 1-3, 2 RBI, R; Justin Dirden 1-4, 2B; Enmanuel Valdez 1-5, 2 RBI; Yainer Diaz 1-5; Grae Kessinger 3-5, 2B, 2 R; Jose Alvarez 2-4, RBI, R.

Highlights: The Wind Surge went to work early by building a 4-0 lead after two innings and added four more runs by the sixth inning to capture their second win of the series at Whataburger Field. The win also snapped the Hooks' two-game winning streak as Corpus Christi dropped to 17-26. Grae Kessinger led the Hooks with three hits and a double. Austin Martin finished with three hits, a double and scored three runs to lead Wichita.

Hooks Shay Whitcomb (6) is thrown out at second base during a double play by the Wind Surge on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.
Hooks Shay Whitcomb (6) is thrown out at second base during a double play by the Wind Surge on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.

THURSDAY, MAY 26

HOOKS 9, WIND SURGE 5

Top performers

Wind Surge: Matt Wallner 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, R; Chris Williams 1-4, HR, 3 RBI, R.

Hooks: Wilyer Abreu 1-4, R; Luke Berryhill 1-3, 2B, 2R; Enmanuel Valdez 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R; Yainer Diaz 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R; Shay Whitcomb 2-3, HR, 2 RBI, R; Grae Kessinger 1-3, RBI.

Highlights: The Hooks collected 11 hits and used two home runs to power their way to a second straight win against the Wind Surge at Whataburger Field. Shay Whitcomb and Yainer Diaz each went deep and combined for four hits and five RBI to lead Corpus Christi. Hooks starting pitcher Jimmy Endersby pitched 4.2 innings and struck out three. Layne Henderson earned the win in relief after striking out two batters in 1.1 innings. Chris Williams and Matt Wallner each homered to lead Wichita.

Hooks shortstop Grae Kessinger (15) tags out Wichita's Austin Martin (16) in a game on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.
Hooks shortstop Grae Kessinger (15) tags out Wichita's Austin Martin (16) in a game on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

HOOKS 4, WIND SURGE 3

Top performers

Wind Surge: Matt Wallner 1-3, HR, 3 RBI, R; Alex Isola 1-4, R.

Hooks: Wilyer Abreu 1-5, R; Luke Berryhill 1-2, R; Enmanuel Valdez 2-4, R; Yainer Diaz 1-4, R, 2 RBI; Shay Whitcomb 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Chandler Casey 2.1 IP, H, 2 K; Matt Ruppenthal 1 IP, 2 K; Devin Conn 2 IP, K, S.

Highlights: The Hooks' bullpen delivered five scoreless innings after starter Jose Bravo left the game in the fourth inning after suffering an undisclosed injury. Chandler Casey, Matt Ruppenthal and Devin Conn allowed one hit during that span with Conn retiring the side in the ninth to secure the win and his second save this season. The Wind Surge' only runs came in the first inning behind a three-run home run by Matt Wallner. The Hooks answered with a four-run third inning when Yainer Diaz smacked a two-run single and Shay Whitcomb followed with a two-run double. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Corpus Christi, which is now 16-25.

Hooks outfielder Wilyer Abreu (22) rounds third base in a game against the Wichita Wind Surge on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.
Hooks outfielder Wilyer Abreu (22) rounds third base in a game against the Wichita Wind Surge on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at Whataburger Field. The Hooks lost 8-3.

TUESDAY, MAY 24

WIND SURGE 8, HOOKS 3

Top performers

Wind Surge: Matt Wallner 2-4, 2B, RBI; Michael Helman 1-3, HR, RBI, 3 R; Leobaldo Cabrera 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, R.

Hooks: Wilyer Abreu 2-2, HR, 2B, RBI, 3 R; Luke Berryhill 1-4, RBI; Enmanuel Valdez 1-4, RBI; Yainer Diaz 1-2; Jose Alvarez 1-4; Shay Whitcomb 1-4.

Highlights: The Wind Surge jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings and went on to a five-run victory in Tuesday's series-opener against the Hooks at Whataburger Field. Wichita finished with 10 hits and two home runs in the win. Leobaldo Cabrera finished with a game-best three RBI to lead the Wind Surge. Wilyer Abreu led Corpus Christi with two hits, a home run and a double.

Rey Castillo is a sports reporter for the Caller-Times and a graduate of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He may be reached at rey.castillo@caller.com or on Twitter @reycastillo361

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Scores and highlights from the Hooks vs. Wichita Wind Surge series