Stingers Down Eau Claire to Win Second Straight
May 30, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
Good things happen to those who wait.
The Stingers offense waited six innings Saturday night. Then with one swing of the bat, Justin Thaxton gave the Willmar pitching staff the only offense it needed.
Thaxton's two-run home run in the top of the seventh helped the Stingers (2-1) to a 5-1 victory over the host Eau Claire Express in yet another strong pitching performance.
That pitching highlighted most of the game with Tyler Hanson impressing in his first start of the season. Hanson allowed just one hit in his five innings of work and stranded five on base, including working out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth. With the bases full and just one out in the inning, Hanson induced a ground ball back to the mound, which he threw to home to force out the lead runner. Catcher Zach Taylor then relayed to first for a double play to end the inning.
Eau Claire (1-4) finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out triple followed by a single to make it 1-0.
But the Stingers answered immediately. With one out in the top of the seventh, Billy Quirke reached first on a bunt single. Then came Thaxton, who jumped on a 2-0 pitch and crushed it over the right field wall for what proved to be the only offense the bullpen needed.
The offense tacked on three more runs just for good measure and Jake Sale, Dakota Belter and Brady Anderson combined to retire the final eight batters of the night in the second straight win for the Stingers.
The 2015 season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers visit the West Central Tribune's website at www.wctrib.com.
Northwoods League Stories from May 30, 2015
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- Drake Parker's Four Hits Not Enough In Loss - Lakeshore Chinooks
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