June 6th, Willmar, MN — The Border Cats of Thunder Bay were held in check for most of the game, but the two innings when they did score, they scored big. A five-run 4th inning gave the visitors all the runs they needed to pull off a series split.
The Stingers struck first when Marc Flores battled back from being down in the count 0-2 to guide a single to the opposite field. Then Michael Suchy put a ball over the heads of two outfielders to pick up his third RBI of the season and stake the Stingers to a 1-0 lead.
After the big five-run frame for Thunder Bay, the Stingers immediately responded in the home half of the inning. Nick Halamandaris drew a lead-off walk and Colton Bottomley followed with a base hit that brought Max Dutto to the plate. After a wild pitch, Dutto then ripped a single that plated the pair and tallied the first RBI of the season for the infielder from California. Dutto later came around to score on a groundout by newest Stinger, Alec Solè.
The bright spots in this game came from the bullpen in the middle innings. After Tyler Hamer was chased early in the game, manager Matt Hollod platooned several arms into service and the Border Cats’ offense stagnated.
In his season debut, Bradley Emery (Daytona St.) gave the Stingers solid relief over 2.1 innings, striking out two while yielding just one hit. Then Andrew Crook did much the same going 2.2 innings, holding the Cats hitless over the span.
The 12-4 loss puts the Stingers at 5-4, two games behind the Duluth Huskies who come to town for a pair of contests.
The 2013 season is presented by Charter. For more on your Stingers please visit www.wctrib.com
