WILLMAR, Minn. – The Stingers, led by outfielder Caleb Ledbetter (Montevallo), opened up the series with a comeback, extra-innings victory against the Rox.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Stingers were trailing 3-0 when Josh Bissonette (Baylor) stepped up to the plate. He laced a single into left-center to drive in two runs for the Stingers and bring the game to within one run.
Calvin Coker (Auburn) then worked his third inning out of the bullpen, retiring the Rox in order in the ninth to bring the Stingers to the plate trailing by a run. Coker finished his day with three scoreless innings.
To lead off the ninth, Ledbetter launched a solo home run over the right field wall to tie up the game. It was Ledbetter's fifth home run of the season, and it forced the Stingers into extra innings for the fourth time this season.
Nick Mears (Sac City) took the mound for Willmar in the tenth. He threw eleven pitches, striking out one and retiring the Rox 1-2-3. His first batter struck out looking at a 96 mph fastball from the right handed reliever.
Marcus Still (New Mexico State) then led off the bottom of the tenth with a single, advancing to third on a sacrifice and a stolen base. Moments later, Tyler Reichenborn (Iowa Western) stepped in and hit a sacrifice fly into right field, scoring Still and winning the game for the Stingers.
The Stingers move to 16-9 on the second half and 34-27 overall. They remain just one game behind the Mankato MoonDogs in the second half standings, and currently hold onto one of two wild card spots.
Today's Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was Caleb Ledbetter. CDI is your local medical imaging provider. It’s your choice where you go for medical imaging, for MRI, CT, mammograms and pain injections, choose CDI. Visit online at myCDI.com/CentralMN.
The Stingers continue the series tomorrow against the St. Cloud Rox. Cameron Churchill (Nova Southeastern) will be on the mound and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Tickets for all home games are available online at WillmarStingers.com or by calling the Stingers' ticket office at 320-222-2010.
The 2017 Stingers season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
