Game-Ending Double Play Halts MoonDogs' Comeback Attempt, Stingers Hold on 7-6 for First Win of Second Half
July 9, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
MANKATO, MN.- In another game which came down to the wire, it was the Willmar Stingers who came out on top 7-6 to secure a series split over the Mankato MoonDogs on Sunday.
The Stingers jumped in front early in the game as after a leadoff double from Andrew Sojka in the first, Dallas Duarte drove him in with a sac-fly.
Willmar flexed its muscles three innings later as Kevin Fitzer launched a moonshot over the left field wall to double the Stingers' lead.
That wouldn't be the only longball of the inning as MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Sean Rimmer hit one out of the ballpark to bring two more runners home and put the Stingers up 4-0.
Mankato would get those three runs back in the fifth with one swing from Jake Duer to knock Stingers starter Aiden Hansen out of the game who had been reliable up to that point.
Will Whelan got the Stingers through the fifth and the Stingers would again make up those three runs an inning later.
Rimmer smoked a double for his third extra base hit of the day to bring across two runs and he would later score after a wild pitch.
With the Stingers now up 7-3, the MoonDogs would cut away at that lead in the next two innings.
A wild pitch would score one in the sixth and a two-run blast from Kai Roberts brought in two more to again make it a one-run game.
Looking to close out the game, Stingers manager Freddy Smith would call on Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Tom Sun.
Sun had little trouble until the ninth inning where the MoonDogs made their final push.
A single and two walks loaded the bases with one out where a game ending double play would give the Stingers the win.
The Stingers end their three-game losing streak and will now return home to open a two-game series with the St. Cloud Rox.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
Northwoods League Stories from July 9, 2023
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- Growlers Sweep Kingfish on the Road - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Growlers Squeak Through in Game One of Series Versus Kenosha - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Honkers, League Mourn Loss of Veteran NWL Umpire - Rochester Honkers
- Dock Spiders Walked Off by Rockers 10-9 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
- Battle Jacks Fall in Game Five of the Series to Jackrabbits 9-6, Concede a 5 Run Lead - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Spitters Stomped in Final Game of Road Trip - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Rox Remain in First Place with 10-3 Win - St. Cloud Rox
- Dogs Drop Series 6-2 - Mankato MoonDogs
- Game-Ending Double Play Halts MoonDogs' Comeback Attempt, Stingers Hold on 7-6 for First Win of Second Half - Willmar Stingers
- Chinooks Grab Two Wins against the Rivets in Sunday's Doubleheader - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Rafters Chew up the Pit Spitters, Get Their Biggest Win of the Season - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Honkers Lose Game Four, Split Series in Canada - Rochester Honkers
- Rockers Walk-Off the Dock Spiders with Home Run - Green Bay Rockers
- Lakeshore Holds off Rockford in Game One of Doubleheader - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Northwoods League Mourns the Loss of Umpire Conor McKenzie - Northwoods
- Northwoods League Mourns the Loss of Umpire Conor McKenzie - Madison Mallards
- Honkers Fall to Border Cats in Extras - Rochester Honkers
- Express Drop Game to the Bucks - Eau Claire Express
- Rafters Offensive Woes Continue, Lose Series Opener to Traverse City - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Rockers Return Home for Sunday Afternoon Matchup with Dock Spiders - Green Bay Rockers
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