WILLMAR–Now that’s a little more like it! After managing just one run in Thursday night’s win over Rochester, the Stingers bats rebounded in a big way on Friday, blasting off for 14 runs for the second time in three games. Thunder Bay knocked out Stingers starter Roy Metter after just three innings, but Willmar’s offense battled back all night, coming up with four run frames in the second and sixth, and thriving in the clutch with a five run bottom of the eighth.

 

Jordan Smith was borderline nuclear on Friday, going four for five with a double, two RBI singles, and most notably, a solo shot in the fourth to deep centerfield, the first ever Stingers home run at the Bee Hive. Sean Dwyer, Zach Rowles, and Andrew Haake chipped in as well, each contributing a pair of RBI’s for Willmar, as the Stingers once again eclipsed the .500 mark in 2010 with their third straight win.

 

It was another team effort out of the bullpen for Willmar, as for the second time in three nights, Michael Jahns got the win and five different pitchers toed the slab for the Stingers.  After Metter was bounced at the end of the third, Cedric Pomerlee and Logan Birr each gave up runs before Jahns and Jacob Barnes shut the door in the late innings.

 

With the win, the Stingers improve to 8-7 on the season.  Willmar plays host to Thunder Bay once again on Saturday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm at Bill Taunton Stadium.  Make sure to get to the yard early though, as it’s Baseball Bat Bag Night presented by Duininck Construction Inc.  The first 250 kids through the gates will recieve a Stingers baseball bat bag.  For all your Stingers coverage, be sure to log on to wctrib.com. The 2010 season is presented by Charter.