Northwoods Willmar Stingers

Woeck, Leffler Launch Stingers over Honkers

July 1, 2013 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release


WILLMAR, Minn. - Andrew Woeck looked sharp in his Stingers debut, the bullpen shut down any possibility of a comeback and half of the Willmar hits went for extra bases in a 6-3 win over the Rochester Honkers on Veterans Appreciation Night. Woeck (NC State) earned the victory after tossing seven strong innings in which he struck out eight while only allowing one walk. The win gives the Stingers (21-11) a 4-1 edge on the season series and keeps them amidst the top of the standings as the first half winds down.

There was plenty of pop in the Stingers' bats on a night when fans at Bill Taunton Stadium were treated to explosions in the sky. A postgame fireworks display was a fitting conclusion to a night when the offense - although recording far fewer hits than the previous night - came up with several big, resounding shots. One in particular, came from Tyler Leffler (Bradley) in the fifth inning. Leffler's two-run home run scored Alec Solé and lifted the Stingers to a 3-1 lead. The homer, Leffler's first of the season, was the team's 22nd and came on a 0-2 pitch. Leffler - the CDI player of the game - scored two runs on the night and has scored five times over the past two games.

Marc Flores (Hawaii) struggled in his first two at-bats but posted a pair of doubles later in the game to bring his team-leading total to eleven on the season. Flores also recorded his 27th RBI. Danny Brennan (St. Louis) was the other Stinger to record an extra-base hit with an RBI double in the sixth that scored Zack Tillery (Florida Gulf Coast). In his last six games, Brennan has raised his average from .213 to .274, going 7-for-16 in that span with three doubles, a home run, and six RBI.

The Honkers cut into a 5-1 Willmar lead with a pair of runs in the top of the 7th, but were turned away by the stout performances of TJ Whidby (Central Arizona) and Bret Dahlson (Loyola Marymount). Whidby retired the side on strikeouts in the 8th and Dahlson pitched a perfect 1-2-3 9th to close the door on the Honkers (17-16). In total, Willmar pitchers struck out 12 and permitted only seven hits. The Stingers handed Rochester pitcher Matt Kent (2-1, 2.86 ERA) his first loss of the season.

Next, the Stingers will travel to Duluth for a double header on Tuesday and the season's first-half finale on Wednesday. The Stingers remain a game behind Waterloo in the NWL North Division standings. Tomorrow, the Stingers will resume a postponed game against the Huskies in which the Stingers led 1-0 entering the top of the 4th inning. The second game tomorrow is scheduled for seven innings.

The 2013 season is presented by Charter. For more on your Willmar Stingers please visit the West Central Tribune at www.wctrib.com.



Northwoods League Stories from July 1, 2013


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