WILLMAR, MN.- In a game where they played from behind through most of the action, the Willmar Stingers were able to survive a close one with a 4-2 victory over the Thunder Bay Border Cats on Sunday.
The Border Cats found a lot of success with the longball and that started in the third inning as Cole Ketzner broke the scoreless tie for his first home run of the season.
It only took an inning for the Stingers to tie the game back up at one as after MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Kevin Fitzer reached with a double and stole third base, he was able to score after a wild pitch.
Thunder Bay got its lead back to one in the fifth as Patrick Engskov hit a solo homer of his own which was also his first of the season to get the Border Cats ahead.
Stone Miyao would again tie the game back up for the Stingers with a sacrifice fly to bring home Drey Dirksen.
The Stingers would then rally in the seventh to take their first lead of the game.
After Engskov committed an error earlier in the inning for Thunder Bay, he would let another ball get past him with Andrew Sojka at the plate to bring in the go-ahead run in pinch runner Jack Hines.
Fitzer doubled for the second time in the game on the next at-bat to get the Stingers up by two.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Kris Hokenson would keep that lead strong through three innings of work.
Ethan Stade would relieve Hokenson midway through the ninth to close out the win.
The Stingers will remain at home as they battle the St. Cloud Rox on Monday.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 325 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.
