Drillers done; Tulsa goes down to the wire with Northwest Arkansas.

The Drillers took it to the last three games of the season, but the Northwest Arkansas Naturals crushed their playoff hopes with a 9th inning strike Sunday evening that resulted in a walk off 4-3 victory.

With the score tied at 3-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning and a runner of first, Eric Hosmer lined a base hit into the right field corner that scored the Naturals' game-winning run. The devastating defeat officially eliminates the Drillers from the postseason

.

The dramatic win by Northwest Arkansas crowned the Naturals the Texas League North Division second-half winner. Since the Naturals also won the first-half pennant, the Springfield Cardinals claim the remaining playoff spot by virtue of their better overall record during the entire 2010 season.

The win dashed the hopes of the Drillers, who had posted a 5-2 win over the Naturals the previous afternoon and an 8th inning, come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Springfield in the last home game of the season at ONEOK Field on Friday night. Tulsa the closed the 2010 season falling hard to the Nats 9-0 on Monday night.

Despite not making the playoffs, the Drillers can count several positives during the 2010 season. Chief among them is a VERY successful first season at ONEOK Field, their brand new home field in downtown Tulsa.

Season tickets are now on sale and information can be obtained by calling 749-5901 or online at tulsadrillers.com