Stingers' Winning Streak Comes to an End in Heartbreaking Fashion, Fall in Dramatic Fashion Against Honkers 4-3
July 18, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
WILLMAR, MN.- The Willmar Stingers battled until the very end against the Rochester Honkers but fell in a 4-3 loss to end a six-game winning streak.
After Sam Malec started the game strong with three shutout innings, the Honkers were able to break the game open in the fourth as Ben North launched a solo homer for the first run of the game.
The Honkers added onto that total later in the inning as Ian Daugherty brought home three more with a home run of his own to make it a four-run inning for Rochester.
Willmar got a run back in the bottom half of the inning as after a double from Kevin Fitzer, it only took a fielder's choice for the Stingers first run.
MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Drey Dirksen made it a one-run game in the sixth with a two-run homer to keep the Stingers in the game.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Ethan Stade helped keep the Honkers off the scoreboard with three and two thirds scoreless innings.
Despite the Stingers best efforts to comeback into the game, bad luck halted the attempt with double plays in each of the final three innings.
Even after a ninth-inning double play, the Stingers still had one last chance to tie the game.
After back-to-back walks, Stone Miyao hit a pop-up to left field which several Honker fielders struggled to track until Kimo Fukofuka made a game-ending diving catch.
With the loss, the Stingers fall a game behind the St. Cloud Rox in the Great Plains West and will battle the Honkers to close the series on Wednesday.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
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