Lee, Late Offense Key Stingers Sweep of Huskies
Published on May 29, 2014 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
Duluth, MN-Unlike the first game of the season, Wednesday night's game came down to the wire, but it was pitching that again led the way for the Stingers as they won 2-1 over the Duluth Huskies to sweep the two-game set.
As the final score indicated, the game was a pitcher's duel throughout with neither starter surrendering a run until the game was over halfway done. The Huskies' Dylan Barrow made quick work of the Stingers' bats over the course of the first three innings, shutting them down in order in each while striking out seven of the first nine batters.
Although he didn't match the perfect slate or strikeout numbers of Barrow, Stingers' starter Sheldon Lee was rock solid on the mound. After allowing a lead-off single to the Huskies' Alex Greene in the first inning, the southpaw used a deceptive move to pick him off and then retired the next two batters to end the inning. Lee had clean slates in both the second and third innings before allowing two base runners in the fourth inning. But after he plunked Keach Ballard and gave up a single to Mac James, Lee got Grady Caldwell to ground out to second to end the third and come out unscathed.
Neither pitcher could keep the opposing offense at bay for the entire game, but although the Huskies (0-2) drew first blood, Lee kept the damage to a minimum. Alex Greene started the sixth inning with a single to right field and moved up to second base on a sacrifice attempt by Keach Ballard, who wound up at first base after the bunt was mishandled by Lee. That brought Dominic Brugnoni, who had a home run in Tuesday's game, to the plate. Lee kept his cool and sent Brugnoni down on strikes to get a big first out of the inning. However, the next batter Mac James followed with a single to open the scoring and put Duluth up 1-0. After Grady Caldwell bounced into a fielder's choice for the second out, Chase Kiefer reached on an error to load the bases and provide a grand opportunity for the Huskies' to break the game wide open. But Lee was up to the task and fanned Michael Fries to end the inning.
The Stingers (2-0) came storming back in the top of the second to tie the game back up. Right fielder Dan Motl led the inning off with a single, stole second base with Nick Rivera at the plate and advanced to third on the same play off a throwing error by the Huskies' catcher. Rivera eventually reached on an error, which brought Sam Hall to the plate for a prime scoring chance. The Stingers cashed in when Hall bounced out to second to score Motl and tie the game at one.
Both teams' bullpens kept the opposing offenses in check until the ninth inning when the Stingers once again made use of small ball to take the lead for good. This time it was Rivera who led the inning off with a single. He moved up to second base when Hall earned a free pass, and both players moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Max Ayoub. With Rivera only 90 feet away, Max Dutto did all he needed to at the plate when he skied a fly ball to center field, deep enough for Rivera to tag and score the go-ahead run.
Garrett Anderson came on in the bottom of the ninth for the second night in a row, although this time it was a save situation. Anderson issued a lead-off walk to Kiefer who then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. The final inning became more interesting when Nathan Krause was safe at first on an error, putting two on with only one away. But Anderson struck out Vinny Rodriguez for the second consecutive night and got Alex Greene to bounce out to secure the win and the save.
Tyler Hanson earned the win in relief while Sean Poppen suffered the loss for the Huskies.
The 2014 season is presented by Charter. For more on the Stingers visit wctrib.com.
Tonight's Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was starting pitcher Sheldon Lee. CDI is your local medical imaging provider. It's your choice where you go for medical imaging, for MRI, CT, mammograms and pain injections, choose CDI. Visit online at myCDI.com/CentralMN.
Northwoods League Stories from May 29, 2014
- Stingers Fall Short in Home Opener - Willmar Stingers
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- Rafters Walk-Off on Wild Pitch - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Kingfish Fall to Bullfrogs, Suffer First Loss of Season - Kenosha Kingfish
- Bullfrogs Pick up Second Straight Victory - Green Bay Rockers
- Honkers Win Second in a Row After a Gruener Gem - Rochester Honkers
- Legendary Match-Up at Copeland Park Tomorrow Night - La Crosse Loggers
- Pondick Set for First Start of Season - Madison Mallards
- Lee, Late Offense Key Stingers Sweep of Huskies - Willmar Stingers
- Blue Anchors fall to MoonDogs in series finale - Alexandria Blue Anchors
- Woodchucks Fall in 15 Innings in Finale at La Crosse, 3-2 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Mallards Fall in Second Game of Doubleheader - Madison Mallards
- Missed Opportunities Doom Rafters - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
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