In the first game of a home-and-home series, Willmar picked up its second straight win in a 5-2 effort against the Mankato MoonDogs.
Like in every other game this homestand however, it was the visiting team who scored first as it was Brendan Hord with an RBI single to bring home Mikey Gottschalk.
Willmar would respond a half-inning later like it had many times before and the big blow came from MinnWest Technology Player of the Game Sean Rimmer who drove in two with a single of his own to give the Stingers a lead they would never give up.
The score would remain 2-1 until the bottom of the fifth inning where after Stingers starter Ray Cebulski would end another strong five-inning day on the mound, Rimmer would bring home another run via a fielder’s choice.
Willmar would add insurance runs with a sacrifice fly in the seventh and a bases loaded walk in the eighth which would boost the score to a 5-1 Stingers lead.
Keeping the MoonDogs off the scoreboard following Cebulski’s exit was Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Rylen Bayne who was almost flawless through three innings of shutout baseball.
Bayne only allowed a walk and a single during his time on the mound.
Once Bayne was removed for Cole Colleran, things would get very interesting fast.
With one out standing in the way of a Stingers victory, Joe Houser launched the first and only home run of the game to put the MoonDogs within three.
Mankato would then get the next two runners on base before Colleran got the final out to give the Stingers the win.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
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