Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Sole's Play, Pitchers Lift Stingers

July 14, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


ROCHESTER, Minn. - In need of a win, the Stingers pulled together as a team, pooling contributions from nearly every spot in the order to overcome an early deficit against the Rochester Honkers. Snapping a three-game losing streak on the road was rife with challenges as the Honkers manufactured a pair of early runs, taking a 2-0 lead into the 4th inning.

The first two runs of the game for Rochester were masterfully produced to exploit seemingly insignificant mistakes by starting pitcher Andrew Woeck (2-0), who was otherwise sharp in his third start for Willmar, striking out six batters through 5.1 innings of work. Leadoff batters reached base in the second and third innings and eventually scored on sacrifice flys in each instance. Woeck (NC State) encountered more difficulties in the sixth with the game tied 2-2 and had to sit and watch as reliever TJ Whidby came in to deal with a bases loaded jam. Whidby (Central Arizona) had a 3-1 pitch hammered on a line that seemed destined to score at least one run, but shortstop Alec Solé executed a perfectly timed jump to snare the ball, flipping to second to complete the improbable double play. At that moment, a palpable shift in momentum swept through Mayo Field.

Solé, whose efforts at the plate and in the field earned him honors as CDI player of the game, then began the next inning with a hard-earned walk that fueled a three-run outburst. Solé (St. Louis) fell behind in the count to Rochester reliever Brian Scwarzbach but battled back in the at-bat. Solé then stole his first base of the season and eventually scored on a Marc Flores double. After walks to Max Kuhn and Nick Halamandaris, Colton Bottomley (Florida Gulf Coast) came through big time for the Stingers with a first-pitch base hit in the gap, scoring a pair and giving Willmar a 5-2 lead.

Whidby came back strong in the next two innings and Bret Dahlson earned a save, notching a pair of strikeouts in the 9th inning to slam the door closed on the Honkers. The win gives Whidby a 3-1 record and a stingy 2.97 ERA.

The Stingers now welcome St. Cloud to Bill Taunton Stadium for Sunday's "Star Wars & Team Poster Giveaway Night." The 1st 500 fans will receive a team poster.

NOTES: Dahlson (Loyola Marymount) has not allowed a run in his last seven appearances dating back to June 15. Flores' pair of doubles tied him for the league lead with 16.



Northwoods League Stories from July 14, 2013


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