Anchors fall big time to Stingers

Published on July 27, 2015 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Alexandria, Minn. - The Alexandria Blue Anchors fell to the Willmar Stingers 22-6 Monday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. The loss puts the Anchors at 13-11 in the second half and they're 25-34 on the season.

The Blue Anchors struck first against Tyler Hanson in the first inning. After two quick strikeouts, Josh Merrigan doubled to left field. On the first pitch the Ricky Sanchez, he went deep to centerfield putting the Anchors ahead 2-0.

The Stingers had a big inning against Ky Zimmel in the second. Ky Parrott was hit by a pitch to start the inning and a single from Reagan Fowler and a walk to Luke Becker loaded the bases with no outs. Brian Pruett hit a double scoring two runners and tying the game. Dylan Alexander then hit a single scoring Becker and the ball got away from Matt Hopfner in right allowing Pruett to score as well. Billy Quirke then singled and eventually made his way to third. Eddie Estrada hit a single up the middle against the new Anchors pitcher, George Faue. which scored one more and by the end of the inning it was 6-2 Stingers.

Willmar struck again in the fourth against Faue. Billy Quirke singled to start the inning and with one out Storm Wilson collected a base hit. Estrada hit a double to left field scoring both runners pushing their lead to 8-2. Another couple of walks loaded the bases and Josh Baumgart entered the game. The first batter he faced, Pruett, hit a ground ball to short but it was booted allowing two more runs to come in. Alexander followed with an RBI hit giving the Stingers five runs in the inning and it was 11-2 after four and a half innings.

The night didn't get much better in the top of the fifth. Baumgart loaded the bases with no outs and Parrott hit a grand-slam homer making the score 15-2.

Alexandria tried to make a comeback attempt in the fifth. Matt Hopfner singled and Dane Hutcheon homered to left-centerfield, his first of the season, and it was 15-4 Willmar.

In the top of the sixth the Stingers answered with a two-run homer from Wilson pushing their lead to 17-4.

Sanchez and Trooper Reynolds singled to start the frame. Anthony Mrosla singled off the glove of Hanson and it brought home Sanchez. The bases were loaded for Hopfner who hit a high chopper on the infield scoring Reynolds cutting the deficit down to 17-6.

Four more scored for the Stingers in the seventh. The inning was highlighted by a two-RBI single from Motl and the score was 21-6 going to the stretch.

The Stingers added one more run in the eighth when Parrott hit a solo homer putting the Blue Anchors down 22-6.

Zimmel (0-1) took the loss in 1.1 innings giving up six runs, five earned, on four hits and two walks with one strikeout. In 2.1 innings Faue surrendered five runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks and one batter struck out. Baumgart's night finished after 1.1 innings and he allowed four runners to touch home plate on four hits and one strikeout. Austin Cornish threw 1.2 frames allowing five runs on two hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Hopfner is the first position player to pitch for Alexandria this season and he pitched a perfect ninth with a strikeout.Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Ricky Sanchez (1B) - He finished the night 2-for-5 at the plate with a homer and a single. He scored twice and drove in two runs. He leads the team with seven home runs.

Notes: The Blue Anchors travel to Willmar on Tuesday to continue their series...The game, starting at 7:05, can be seen live at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/nwl.

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Northwoods League Stories from July 27, 2015


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