Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Stingers' Late Rally Grounds MoonDogs

Published on July 21, 2013 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


MANKATO, Minn. - Down, but never out, the Stingers pulled off an improbable comeback to beat the Mankato MoonDogs 7-5, shocking the formerly raucous fans at Franklin Rogers Park. Willmar trailed 5-0 after four innings and MoonDogs starting pitcher John Perrin dominated the first half of the game.

The Willmar rally began in earnest when Max Kuhn jolted his fifth home run of the season on the first pitch he saw leading off the 5th inning. However, it wasn't until the 7th inning that the Stingers got to Perrin. The inning began with a pair of outs, but the Stingers persisted and mounted a rally. Kuhn (Kenutcky) walked with a full count then Nick Halamandaris, Danny Brennan and Jake Gronsky all singled to cut the Mankato lead down to 5-2.

The surge came in the 8th inning when Mankato (27-24, 11-6) over extended Perrin who gave up a leadoff singles to Max Dutto (Cal-Berkley) and Zack Tillery. Then, Mankato turned to a pair of all-stars who both failed to hold off the Stingers. Cameron Giannini got the first try with a pair of inherited runners, giving up an RBI single to Marc Flores. After retiring Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) and Kuhn, the MoonDogs gave the ball to star closer Jess Amedee. Amedee came in with runners at 2nd and 3rd base to face Halamandaris (Cal-Berkley) and a battle ensued.

Halamandaris, the CDI player of the game, worked the count full before lining a ball off the glove of Krysthian Leal at third base into left field, scoring Tillery (Florida Gulf Coast) and Flores (Hawaii) to tie the game with two outs in the inning. The Stingers didn't relent though, as Danny Brennan notched another base hit setting the stage for Gronsky's pivotal at-bat. Gronsky (Monmouth) shot an 0-2 pitch through the hole to left field, notching the go-ahead RBI on the play. Gronsky collided with Mankato second baseman Chase Simpson as a throw from Amedee sailed into centerfield, allowing Brennan to score on the error.

Stingers relievers Bobby McCormack and TJ Whidby brought the MoonDogs back to Earth over the course of the middle innings, giving the offense time to catch up. McCormack (Baylor) came on in relief of starter Andrew Woeck to begin the 5th inning, pitching two scoreless innings to stymy one of the league's best hitting teams. Whidby (Central Arizona) continued the trend in the 7th and 8th innings, retiring three 2013 NWL all-stars in the process. Whidby picked up the win improving his record to 4-1 on the season.

Bret Dahlson (Loyola-Marymount) came into the game to close the show and made it interesting. Dahlson surrendered three walks, but struck out all-star Jonathon Rodriguez and coaxed a popup off the bat of pinch hitter Woody Woodward to notch his tenth save of the season, preserving the thrilling win for Willmar (31-20, 8-8).

The 2013 season is presented by Charter. For more on your Willmar Stingers please visit the West Central Tribune at www.wctrib.com.

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



Northwoods League Stories from July 21, 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