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Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Sweet Relief: Kehner, Pruett Combine to Take Down Bucks

June 26, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


Willmar, Minn. - When there were big moments Friday night at Bill Taunton Stadium, the Stingers had two individuals come to the forefront when the time called. Coindentally, they were both named Brian.

Behind another special night at the plate from Brian Pruett and a dominating night out of the bullpen from southpaw Brian Kehner, Willmar (19-11) took out Waterloo 4-2 and swept the series to stay in first place.

The first big moment for the Stingers came in the top half of the sixth inning. Willmar starter Kiko Garcia started the inning by allowing three straight batters to reach base, which brought in a run to tie the game at two. Kehner then entered out of the bullpen and hit the first batter he saw to load the bases.

But he took over after that. After Kehner got a pop out on the infield for the first out of the inning, he came back by striking out the final two batters of the inning to get out of the tight spot and keep the score tied at two.

An inning later in the bottom of the seventh, Pruett came up big once again for the Stingers. Following a walk-off hit Thursday night, Pruett blasted a leadoff home run to left field to give the Stingers the lead for good.

Kehner took over the rest of the way, and made sure the Bucks wouldn't come back. After he hit the first batter he saw in the sixth, Kehner dominated the Bucks down the stretch and retired the final nine batters in order.

The Stingers would add an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to make Kehner more comfortable, and he retired the Bucks in order in the ninth to seal his first win of the year in four superb innings of relief.

Willmar kept its hold on first place in the North Divison with the win with five games remaining in the first half. The Stingers will be back at home Saturday, as they host Eau Claire with first pitch slated for 6:05 p.m.

The 2015 Stingers season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.

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