The Stingers offense reached its apex in a 13-5 rout of the lowly Alexandria Blue Anchors (2-9). Led by outfielders Colton Bottomley (Florida Gulf Coast) and Logan Moon (Central Arkansas), Willmar (8-4) notched a season high in both runs and hits with 13 and 14 respectively. The duo combined for five hits including a home run apiece and totaled six RBI.  

  Moon finished 2-4 in his debut with the Stingers, but even when he was retired by Alexandria pitchers, he put a charge into the ball. After lining out to centerfield in the third inning, Moon belted a two-run homer to left. The location and flight of his round-tripper, eerily reminiscent of Max Kuhn’s home run from Friday night, put the Stingers up 5-2. Then the Stingers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and Colton Bottomley connected on a 3-2 pitch with two outs for the Stingers’ second grand slam of the season.

  After four solid innings from starter TJ Whidby (Central Arizona), Sheldon Lee made his season debut and picked up the win. Lee (San Francisco) was one of five pitchers for Willmar. Cody Hughes (Montevallo) and Bobby McCormack (Baylor) combined to pitch the final two scoreless innings.

  Zack Tillery, who is tomorrow’s scheduled starter, assumed the role of designated hitter and finished 3-for-5 at the plate. The two singles and double lifted Tillery’s batting average to .421 on the season. Bottomley’s three hits on the night bumped his average from .211 to .291.

  Bottomley has posted 6 RBI on the season and has five hits over his last 13 at-bats. The grand slam was his first home run of the season and the team’s seventh. Six of those seven home runs have come within the confines of Bill Taunton Stadium.

  Willmar will now take on the Mankato Moon Dogs on the road for a two-game series. In the first 12 games of the season, the Stingers played eight at home, boasting a 6-2 mark in those games.

The 2013 season is presented by Charter. For more on your Willmar Stingers, please visit www.wctrib.com