WILLMAR, Minn. – Michael Suchy’s line-drive home run to left field with one out in the 14th inning ended an extra-inning thriller where the Stingers had to tie the game twice in their potentially last at-bat – once with two runs in the ninth and again with a run in the 13th – before winning it on Suchy’s league-leading 26th RBI.
Suchy’s solo shot gave Willmar (15-9) a 7-6 victory against Rochester (9-15) on a night where the Stingers never led until the final swing. Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) finished the game 2-for-7 with three RBIs, including one in the ninth as part of a two-run comeback.
Trailing 5-3 in the ninth, Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas) hit a one-out single, and Hunter Dozier (Stephen F. Austin) followed with a walk to put the tying run on base. After a double steal, Suchy grounded out to second base to plate Allday and bring the Stingers within one. The next batter, Corben Green (Louisiana Monroe), singled up the middle to score Dozier from second and tie the game.
In the bottom of the 13th, the Stingers again needed to score to extend the game. Down 6-5, Andre Wheeler (Texas Tech) led off the inning with a walk. Matt Jackson (Washington) advanced Wheeler on a sacrifice bunt. Then Mitch Rowan (San Francisco) singled to left to tie the game with his 14th RBI of the year. Rowan has reached base in all 23 games he has played this season.
Scott Lieser (St. Cloud State) improved to 3-1 after allowing one run and striking out three while pitching the final three innings. Steven Brault (Regis) struck out three in four innings of scoreless relief to lower his ERA to 1.17.
Willmar began its comeback effort in the sixth inning when the team scored three runs on two hits to pull within one, 4-3. Dozier and Suchy hit back-to-back singles to score Rowan and Allday, respectively, who each walked to begin the frame. Dozier later scored on a wild pitch with two outs.
The Stingers will close out their three-game homestand Saturday afternoon with a 3:05 p.m. game against the Honkers.
The 2012 season is presented by Charter. For more information on your Willmar Stingers be sure to visit the West Central Tribune at www.wctrib.com.
