Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Stingers Defense Keys Victory, Atop Division Again

Published on June 27, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


WILLMAR, Minn. - Nick Halamandaris continued his recent battery against opposing pitchers, recording a pair of doubles, a run scored and an RBI that propelled the Stingers past the Alexandria Blue Anchors 5-2 and lifted the Stingers back atop the NWL North Division. With the win, Willmar (19-8) stays perfect against Alexandria (5-21) on the season. In the six victories over Alexandria, the Stingers have outscored the Anchors by a combined score of 69-23.

Sheldon Lee (San Francisco) made his second start of the season and earned his third victory. Despite not having his sharpest stuff, Lee turned in a solid outing, scattering eight hits and allowing just one earned run thanks to exceptional defensive help from his teammates. The lefty ran into trouble several times during his 5.1 innings pitched, including occasions in four of the first six innings when the Blue Anchors put runners at second and third base with just one out.

The Stingers recorded five double plays on the night. Among them, an unusual situation unfolded in the top of the 1st inning when Ryan Blanchard of Alexandria flied out to Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast), enabling Kris Goodman to score from third. What appeared to be a sacrifice fly ended in a double play when the Stingers threw to third to see if Goodman had perhaps made an early break for home. Apparently, he did. The double play went 9-2-1-5 and set the stage for quality defense for the Stingers for the rest of the game.

The offense cooled off a bit from the previous night, which was inevitable, of course. However, the bats still had plenty of pop and dealt Alexandria pitcher Corey Fitzgerald his third loss against Willmar on the season.

Halamandaris' evening was exceptional as he collected two of the Stingers' six doubles and, thus, earns CDI player of the game honors for the second straight night. In his last two games, Halamandaris has gone on a 5-for-8 tear, recording two doubles, a home run and six RBI. In that same span he has increased his average from .208 to .262.

Michael Suchy also had a pair of doubles and walks, bringing his team-leading totals to nine and 18 respectively. Bret Dahlson (Loyola Marymount) earned his fifth save of the season, closing the door in the ninth without giving up a run despite allowing the first two runners of the inning to reach base.

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Northwoods League Stories from June 27, 2013


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