
Stingers Defeat Border Cats in Extras for Second-Straight Day, Win 3-2 to Close Impressive First Half
July 3, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
THUNDER BAY, Ontario- The Willmar Stingers have played in several close games as of late and their 3-2 victory against the Thunder Bay Border Cats on Monday was no exception.
Each team was held off the scoreboard through the first five innings of the game as Stingers starter Nate Zyzda had one of his best starts of the season.
Zyzda threw five shutout innings while only allowing three hits, picking up three strikeouts in the process.
The Stingers were able to break through in the sixth with a pair of RBI singles from Drey Dirksen and Sean Rimmer.
That lead didn't last too long as the Border Cats matched that run total in the seventh, starting with an RBI double from Zane Skansi and he was promptly brought in with a Travis Chestnut RBI single.
Both sides would remain deadlocked until a second-straight day of extra innings.
Down to their final out in the top half of the tenth, MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Luke Williams drove in the go-ahead run with a single.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Ben Irsfeld would complete his second inning of work to secure the win for the Stingers and close a historic first half of play.
The win improves the Stingers first half record to 26-8 and will return to Bill Taunton Stadium on Thursday to host the Eau Claire Express and open the second half of Northwoods League play.
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 3, 2023
- Express Beat Rochester to Claim First-Half Title - Eau Claire Express
- Loggers Look Forward to Second Half of the Season, Beat Hot Tots 5-2 - La Crosse Loggers
- Chinooks Drop Final Game of First Half to Wausau - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Wausau Finishes First Half Strong, Defeats Lakeshore 8-4 - Wausau Woodchucks
- Spitters Clinch Playoffs for Fifth Year in a Row - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Rockers Clinch Spot in 2023 Northwoods League Playoffs Following Monday's Win Against Mallards - Green Bay Rockers
- Stingers Defeat Border Cats in Extras for Second-Straight Day, Win 3-2 to Close Impressive First Half - Willmar Stingers
- Battle Jacks Lose To Rivets 6-1, Fall To 0-3 Against Brett Sears - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Rox Finish First Half with 21 Wins After Game Two in Waterloo - Travel to Duluth for Two-Game Series Tomorrow to Start Second Half - St. Cloud Rox
- Mallards Lose Sixth Straight, Green Bay Earns Chance at Title - Madison Mallards
- Rivets Fall Short to Battle Creek While on the Road - Rockford Rivets
- Wausau Woodchucks to Acquire JBA Clutch Baseball & Softball Organization - Wausau Woodchucks
- Andrew Delaney Named Northwoods Player of the Night on Saturday - Rockford Rivets
- Rockers Eying Playoff Berth, Set for Last First Half Matchup - Green Bay Rockers
- Stingers Bounce Back in Clutch Comeback Effort, Outlast Border Cats 3-2 - Willmar Stingers
- Battle Jacks Trip Up Rivets 4-3, Hit Six Doubles - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Loggers Stay Undefeated on Nights with Post-Game Fireworks, Beat Hot Tots 12-3 - La Crosse Loggers
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Other Recent Willmar Stingers Stories
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