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Willmar Stingers

Anchors Downed, Stingers Sweep Double Header

June 19, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


ALEXANDRIA, MINN. - A double header against the Alexandria Blue Anchors gave a handful of Stingers all the opportunities they needed to get their season on track. After joining the team later than most, college teammates Alec Solé and Danny Brennan each turned in a pair of quality games to propel Willmar (14-6) to a sweep of Alexandria (4-16).

At the end of the evening, Alec Solé finished 3-for-8 with two doubles - very nearly three - and scored four runs. Brennan went 4-for-8 with a home run - very nearly two - and posted four RBI. For their efforts, the duo each receive honors for CDI player of the game(s). The two St. Louis Billikens turned in breakout performances that fueled a 13-5 blowout and a 5-4 comeback in extra innings.

Brennan's bid for a three run home run pulled back over the fence on a tremendous defensive play in the second inning of game number two. However, there was no glovework that could retrieve the bombs launched by Michael Suchy and Marc Flores who notched their third and fifth round-trippers of the season respectively.

The Blue anchors potent offense got to starters TJ Whidby (Central Arizona) and Josh Matheson (MSU-Mankato), but the bullpen stood firm and was essential in sealing both victories. Bobby McCormack (Baylor) pitched three scoreless innings in the second game to even his record (1-1) and lower his season ERA to 3.48. McCormack's effort, in which he str uck out four and walked no one, was supported by Bret Dahlson's fourth save. Dahlson (Loyola-Marymount) pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth in a 7-inning game to send the Stingers back to Willmar a full game ahead of Waterloo in the Northwoods League North Division.

The comeback victory relied on clutch hitting and a vast reserve of composure. The stingers came to bat in the seventh, down to their final three outs, and loaded the bases on singles by Flores (Hawaii), Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) and a hit by pitch at the expense of Nick Halamandaris. Trailing 4-2, a run scored on a fielder's choice groundout by Logan Moon. Moon hustled down the line to avoid the double play, scoring Flores and placing the tying run 90 feet from home with just one out. After a pop out on the infield, the newest Stinger, Brian Olson (Seattle) chopped a ball at the plate and notched an infield single, scoring Suchy with Willmar down to its final out.

NOTES: Flores owns the second-highest slugging percentage (.653) in the entire NWL. The stingers' 15 home runs are third most in the league and nearly half have come in the last week. The Stingers' six runs per contest is the highest average in the NWL. Moon (Central Arkansas) is drawing a walk in 28% of his plate appearances. Olson finished 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and a pair of walks.

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