Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Stingers Post Season-Best 24 Runs in Rout

June 26, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


ALEXANDRIA, Minn. - Following a weekend in which the Willmar offense sputtered, the Stingers ignited for 24 runs, setting Alexandria ablaze in the process. Marc Flores, Michael Suchy, Nick Halamandaris and Danny Brennan all launched home runs as the Stingers built an early 9-2 lead heading into the eighth inning. Willmar then batted around in both the eighth and ninth innings, scoring six and nine runs respectively. In total, Willmar batters recorded 15 hits, walked ten times and outscored the Blue Anchors, 24-5.

The game began with the Stingers buzzing four quick runs off Alexandria starter Tyler Beck. Logan Moon redirected a first-pitch fastball over the head of centerfielder Ryan Blanchard and then scored on a throwing error by Beck attempting to record an out on Kyle Perry's sacrifice. The next batter, Max Kuhn, lined a base hit past third to score Perry (Monmouth) and Flores ensured that the first four batters all scored with his two-run home run to center.

Willmar starting pitcher Josh Matheson (MSU-Mankato) picked up the victory, throwing five solid innings while yielding only two runs on six hits. The win improved Matheson's record to 2-0. The Stingers turned to four relievers to go the rest of the way. Chris Kubitz (St. Cloud), TJ Whidby (Central Arizona) and Zack Tillery (Florida Gulf Coast) combined to throw three scoreless innings of relief. Drew Jacobs (San Diego) permitted a pair of earned runs in the bottom of the ninth with the game well in hand.

Several Stingers posted slump-busting performances. Moon (Central Arkansas) finished 2-for-6 with a pair of doubles, one of which came with the bases loaded. Moon's 3 RBI increase his season's total to nine. Likewise, Brennan (St. Louis) notched a three-run hit. Brennan's pinch-hit home run in the eighth plated all three of his RBI, bringing his total to nine, too. Flores finished 2-for-3 with a two-RBI homer and a two-RBI double. The four steaks on the season give Flores (Hawaii) a team-leading 22.

However, the best performance came from Halamandaris (California), the CDI player of the game. Halamandaris finished 2-for-5 with five RBI and a pair of walks. With his breakout game, Halamandaris nearly doubled his RBI total on the season (11).

Not to be overshadowed, however, was the oft-impressive glove work by Stingers defenders. Max Dutto made a pair of jaw-dropping plays in the 8th inning in support of Tillery that robbed Blue Anchors batters of base hits. On similar plays, the shortstop made over-the-shoulder diving catches that illicited oohs and ahhs of the fans in Alexandria. Suchy (Flordia Gulf Coast) and Moon also made diving catches in the outfield that prevented Alexandria rallies in the middle innings.

With the win, the Stingers gain ground on Waterloo in the NWL North Division. The Stingers head into tomorrow night's contest against Alexandria at Bill Taunton Stadium a mere half-game behind the Bucks. It's Corn & Bean Nation Night presented by the Kandiyohi Corn & Soybean Growers Association. 1st 100 adults receive either a "Corn Nation" or "Bean Nation" t-shirt.

NOTES: The 24 runs scored are the highest total on the season for the Stingers, eclipsing the previous high of 13 (2x). The Stingers' .381 OBP is the best in the NWL. Flores is tied for 2nd-most home runs (6) in the NWL. The Stingers' offense leads the NWL in runs scored. Willmar now boasts a 5-0 record of Alexandria this season.



Northwoods League Stories from June 26, 2013


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