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Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Stingers Win Franchise-Record 40th Game, 8-3

August 9, 2012 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


WILLMAR, Minn. - Willmar scored in five of its eight innings at bat, including two runs in each of the seventh and eighth frames to pull away for an 8-3 victory against Mankato and secure its franchise-record 40th win of the season Thursday night at Bill Taunton Stadium.

The Stingers never trailed in the contest, improving their record at home to a North Division-best 22-10. Willmar also tied Mankato for the best overall record in the North Division by moving to 40-27 with the victory. With three games remaining in the season, the Stingers (20-12) hold a half-game lead over the St. Cloud Rox (20-13) for the top spot in the second-half standings. Whoever wins the second half will face the Mankato MoonDogs in the Northwoods League Playoffs, which begin next Monday, Aug. 13.

Michael Hahn (Nebraska Kearney) went a season-long 6.2 innings, striking out five while holding Mankato to three runs on seven hits to earn his third victory in as many appearances. Andre Wheeler (Texas Tech) registered two strikeouts in 1.1 innings of middle relief, and Josh Biggs (Evansville) struck out all three batters he faced in the ninth to even the final series against the MoonDogs.

Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas), who leads the Northwoods League with his .510 on-base percentage, keyed the offensive attack in the first inning with a leadoff walk. Allday scored two batters later on a single by Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) for his franchise-best 62nd RBI of the season.

In the second inning, a leadoff walk set the stage again when Zach Benson (Stephen F. Austin) reached on the free pass and advanced to third on a double by JD Dorgan (St. Thomas). Allday drove home Benson on a ground ball, and Brennan Moore (Texas Tech) followed with an RBI single to give Willmar a 3-0 advantage.

Mankato responded with two runs in the third and another run in the fifth to tie the contest, 3-3, but the Stingers retook the lead immediately when Benson began the bottom of the fifth with a single, stole second base and scored later in the frame on a wild pitch.

Willmar added to its lead in the seventh thanks to two runs without a base hit. Hunter Dozier (Stephen F. Austin) scored on an error after reaching on a leadoff walk. Benson was hit by a pitch and scored later on a sacrifice fly by Moore. It marked Moore's fifth RBI in his past three games.

Dozier added an RBI double in the eighth to score Corben Green (Louisiana Monroe), who went 3-for-5 in the game with double. Dozier scored on a wild pitch with two outs to make the final score 8-3.

The Stingers will play Mankato for the final time of the regular season Friday night at 7:05 p.m. It's Social Media Night presented by Miller Lite. Stingers fans 21 years of age and older can go to the team's Facebook page to vote on various aspects of Friday's game, including what uniforms Willmar will wear and who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The 2012 season is presented by Charter. For more information on your Willmar Stingers be sure to visit the West Central Tribune at www.wctrib.com.

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