
Beetles Break Stingers in Eighth
July 2, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Beetles News Release
Alexandria, MN - Tanner Vavra singled home the game-tying run and Ben Moore singled home the game-winning run in a big eighth inning as the Alexandria Beetles (12-21) rallied past the Willmar Stingers (19-14) at Knute Nelson on Monday night.
Vavra singled through the right side for his third hit of the night to score Josh Guerra and the next batter Moore picked up his third RBI of the night with a line-drive single to center scoring Dylan Raper.
Alex Guilford earned his third win of the season in relief while Andre Wheeler was handed his first loss of the year.
The Stingers led 1-0 early and 4-3 late but with several timely hits and patient at-bats, the Beetles battled back both times. Willmar struck first in the top of the first off Alexandria-starter Scott Sanderson who labored through 34 pitches allowing a pair of walks and a two-out RBI single by Corben Green.
Stinger starter Anthony Consiglio was unable to hold the lead though as Alexandria responded with two in the bottom of the inning. Matt Lowenstein, in his 2012 Beetle debut, singled and was doubled to third by Vavra, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games. A Moore RBI-grounder and Jimmy Pickens infield single later and Alexandria led 2-1.
The lead was doubled in the bottom of the fifth on a Moore sacrifice fly. After his rough first, Sanderson settled to retire the last nine he faced departing after five with the 3-1 lead.
That remained the score until the top of the seventh when four walks, a hit-batter, and a single off reliever Mitchell Babb restored Willmar to the lead 4-3.
It set the stage for more Alexandria late inning dramatics as Josh Guerra led off the eighth with a walk and advanced to third on a Dylan Raper single as the leftfielder extended his hitting streak to 11. Lowenstein, who reached base all five times in a 2-2 night, walked to load the bases and Vavra and Moore each delivered to put the Beetles up 5-4.
Anthony Bazzani worked an uneventful ninth, retiring the side in order, to pick up his fifth save of the year.
With a 3-5 night, Vavra raised his Northwoods-leading batting average to .411.
The Beetles and Stingers continue their five game series at 7:05 CDT Tuesday in Alexandria.
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Northwoods League Stories from July 2, 2012
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