Northwoods Willmar Stingers

MoonDogs Prevail in 17-Inning Thriller

Published on July 22, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


WILLMAR, Minn. - Willmar and Mankato took part in, literally, the most epic game in the histories of both organizations. The game lasted 17 innings, taking more than six hours, featuring more than a dozen pitchers and 32 combined runs. In the end the MoonDogs prevailed 18-14, leading into the all-star break with a game for the ages. It was a memorable game that maybe ought to be forgotten.

The Stingers began the game with a pair of runs in the first inning, recording RBI singles from both Marc Flores and Nick Halamandaris (Cal-Berkley). Colin Poche lasted only two innings due in part to a Northwoods League rule that does not allow a player who exceeds 35 pitches in an inning to return for more work. Poche (Arkansas) exceeded 35 pitches in a three-run 2nd inning in which all of the runs were unearned. From the get go, this game had the feeling of a shootout.

The Stingers responded in the home half of the 2nd with four runs. Danny Brennan tied the game with an RBI single and Max Kuhn gave Willmar a 6-3 lead with a two-out three-run homer. Kuhn's home run was his fifth in the month of July. After being held scoreless in the 3rd, the Stingers plated runs on a Zack Tillery (Florida Gulf Coast) RBI double and a two-run home run by Marc Flores. Flores' tenth home run of the season was a mammoth shot, arching over the scoreboard in right field.

The MoonDogs, however, could not be kept at bay, scoring four runs in the 4th and five runs in the 5th to take a 13-9 lead through 4.5 innings. At this point, the game took a dramatic shift as pitchers began shutting down offenses on both sides. Josh Matheson (MSU-Mankato) pitched 3.1 hitless innings, Bobby McCormack (Baylor) continued his dominance over the MoonDogs this season with one inning, logging two strikeouts along the way. McCormack closed out the top of the 9th with The MoonDogs leading 13-9.

It was then that the Stingers mounted a monumental comeback to tie the game and give the near-thousand in attendance an unforgettable spectacle. The inning began with a leadoff walk to Flores (Hawaii) and a base hit to Kuhn (Kentucky). Mankato wasted no time getting the ball to their all-star closer Jess Amedee who had blown a save against the Stingers the day before. Amedee came in to face Nick Halamandaris and permitted a sacrifice fly, a pair of base hits and a pair of walks before delivering a wild pitch that scored the tying run.

In extra innings, Cody Hughes was dominant and gave the Stingers new life on more than one occasion. Hughes pitched 4.2 innings, striking out six in the process. Hughes, the CDI player of the game, riveted the crowd in the 13th inning with a strikeout of pinch-hitter and all-star Jonathon Rodriguez, stranding the go-ahead run at third.

The offense picked Hughes up in the home half of the 14th inning after the right-hander out of Montevallo surrendered a run. Brennan (St. Louis) began the inning with a bunt single and advanced to third on a heads up play after a Zack Tillery sacrifice. Brennan, noticing that third base wasn't being covered, ran first-to-third and later scored on Flores' RBI double.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Northwoods League Stories from July 22, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central