Two-Headed Monster: Garcia, Offense Combine in 9-0 Shutout of Express
July 3, 2015 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
Eau Claire, WI - Strong starting pitching and a hot offense could make the Stingers a very dangerous opponent in the second half.
Eau Claire found that out Friday night at Carson Park, as Willmar got a superb outing from right-hander Kiko Garcia and a multi-home run game from the offense in a 9-0 win, setting the record for the largest shutout victory in Stingers history.
After playing in eight straight games decided by two or fewer runs, the Stingers (26-11) finally opened the floodgates on the Express for their second biggest victory of the season. But Garcia highlighted the night in yet another stifling performance from a Stingers starting pitcher, throwing eight shutout innings, while scattering three hits and striking out a season-high eight batters.
With Garcia rolling through the Express lineup, the Stingers offense gave their starter some early run support. Tyler Leffler provided all the support Garcia would need with his solo home run to open the scoring in the second inning.
But Willmar, which hadn't scored more than eight runs since June 22, kept the pedal to the floor. Kyle Gilbert had the big blow for the Stingers in the fifth inning when he hit his fifth home run of the year, a three-run shot, to make it a 5-0 lead. Then in the ninth inning for good measure, Willmar added four more runs, two of which came on Ky Parrott's single down the right-field line.
After Garcia was staked to the early lead, he never looked back. He allowed single base runners in the first, second, fourth and sixth innings, and never had more than one base runner aboard. Following a lead-off walk in the sixth inning, Garcia then retired the final nine batters he faced.
Willmar had twice won by 7-0 scores in shutouts, including one earlier this year in Thunder Bay, but the 9-0 score was the widest margin of victory in a shutout in the Stingers six years as a franchise. They have now reeled off wins in 18 of their last 21 games.
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.
Northwoods League Stories from July 3, 2015
- Loggers loose to Kenosha - La Crosse Loggers
- Two-Headed Monster: Garcia, Offense Combine in 9-0 Shutout of Express - Willmar Stingers
- Rafters Fall 8-6 in Green Bay - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Big First Inning Leads to Bullfrogs' Win - Green Bay Rockers
- Rox Score Twice in 9th to Win 3rd Straight - St. Cloud Rox
- Back-To-Back 1st Inning Homeruns Propel Honkers over MoonDogs - Rochester Honkers
- Huskies beat Alexandria - Duluth Huskies
- Bucks Outlast Bombers in 6-4 Victory - Waterloo Bucks
- Chinooks Split Doubleheader Against Kalamazoo - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Depleted bullpen sinks Anchors in Duluth - Alexandria Blue Anchors
- Lakeshore's First Visit To Kalamazoo Results In Split Doubleheader - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Coleman's Clutch Hit Propels Mallards to Walk-Off Win - Madison Mallards
- Bullfrogs Add Two New Players to Roster - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Begin Series in Green Bay - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Bucks to Hold Youth Baseball Camp on July 11 - Waterloo Bucks
- Former Honker Jeff Campbell Wins College Home Run Derby - Rochester Honkers
- High-Flying Bullfrogs Welcome Scuffling Rafters - Green Bay Rockers
- Mallards Host Woodchucks to Conclude Home-Stand - Madison Mallards
- Dunlap Delivers Decisive Dinger in Kingfish's Fourth Straight Win - Kenosha Kingfish
- Bullfrogs Finish Road Stand 3-1; Defeat Loggers, 8-7 - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Drop Another Close One to Kingfish - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Bucks Stifled in St. Cloud - Waterloo Bucks
- Mallards Pull Away Late as Kalamazoo Growlers Drop Finale - Kalamazoo Growlers
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.
