Blue Anchors Fall to Willmar 9-6

Published on June 20, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Alexandria Blue Anchors News Release


Willmar, MN - The Alexandria Blue Anchors fell to the Willmar Stingers 9-6 Wednesday night at Bill Taunton Stadium. After being swept in the three-game series, the Anchors have a record of 4-17 on the season.

Alexandria grabbed an early lead in the top of the first when Georgie Salem singled to start the ballgame and advanced to second on an error by right fielder Michael Suchy. A sacrifice bunt from Kris Goodman put Salem at third and Andrew Sohn delivered the game's first run on a sacrifice fly to centerfield to put Alexandria up 1-0.

Willmar countered in the bottom of the first with one big swing. Starting pitcher Corey Fitzgerald retired the first two Stinger batters quickly but allowed a single to Marc Flores who moved to third on a double by Suchy. Max Kuhn drew a walk to load the bases and Zack Tillery sent a 3-2 pitch deep over the left field fence for a grand slam, putting the Stingers up 4-1.

In the top of the second, the Blue Anchors were able to get one back. Ryan Blanchard singled to start the frame wound up at third after a balk and wild pitch by Willmar's starter Sheldon Lee. Tim Cusick hit a fly ball to left field deep enough to bring home Blanchard and cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Stingers got three back in the bottom of the third again with two outs. Kuhn drew a lead-off walk and went to second on a Tillery single. After a strikeout and fielder's choice, Chris Barnett went deep to left for a three-run homer to give Willmar a 7-2 lead.

Drew Jacobs came in relief of Lee in the seventh and the Blue Anchors got within striking distance. Catcher Aaron Gretz was hit by a pitch with one out and moved to second after Keegan Dale walked. Jacobs night came to an end as he was lifted after walking Salem to load the bases. Michael Murray gave up a single to Goodman to plate Gretz and Sohn scored Dale with his second sacrifice fly of the game to make the score 7-5.

Taylor Simpson came in to pitch the eighth inning and hit Alex Sole with a pitch after recording a strike out. Tyler Leffler followed with a walk and a base hit by Flores loaded the bases. Simpson got Suchy to hit a possible inning-ending double play to Sohn but the ball went off his glove to score Sole and Leffler and the score was 9-4 heading into the ninth.

The Blue Anchors put up one last rally attempt in the last frame. Pinch hitting for Salem, Austin Listi drove an 0-2 Murray offering high and deep to left for a solo home run, his fourth of the season. The next two batters were retired and Albert Baur doubled to left and scored on a double by Blanchard. With the tying run in the on-deck circle, Aaron Overbeck looked at strike three to end the game.

Taking the loss for the Anchors was Fitzgerald (0-2). He gave up seven runs on 11 hits and three walks while striking out three Stinger batters. Andy Johnson struck out three hitters and allowed a base hit in two scoreless innings. In one inning of work, Simpson gave up two runs, one earned, on one hit and a walk. He had two strikeouts on the night.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Player of the Game - Ryan Blanchard (LF) - The University of Alabama outfielder had three hits in five trips to the plate Wednesday. He recorded his seventh RBI of the season and scored his sixth run in eight games played. Since joining the Alexandria ball club, he has hit safely in all but one game.

Notes: Cusick's hit streak reached 13 games but he left the game early after a low throw in the dirt forced him to exit...The homer by Listi was the 26th of the year by the Anchors, that leads the Northwoods League as Willmar is in second with 17...Through the first 21 games, Cusick, Baur and Sohn are in the top ten for batting average in the league...The Blue Anchors begin a three-game home stand starting Thursday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park with two against the Rochester Honkers and one against the St. Cloud Rox...The first pitch Thursday can be heard live, starting at 7:05 p.m., on www.youtube.com/user/NorthwoodsLeague.

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Northwoods League Stories from June 20, 2013


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