ALEXANDRIA -- The Willmar Stingers evened their record at 3-3 using a season-high 13 hits to squash the Alexandria Beetles 5-3 on Monday evening.
It as a big night for Stingers shortstop Jason Leblebijian and third baseman Jake Stinnett. The pair accounted for all five RBI on three extra base hits.
In the fifth inning, after Jordan Brown had walked and stole second, Leblebijian tripled to the wall at Knute Nelsen Memorial Park to tie the score 1-1.
In the sixth, John Haberman drew a walk and trotted home when Stinnett homered, his first and the second this year by a Stinger.
The lead grew to 5-1 in the top of the seventh. Tyler Zupcic singled and scored when Leblebijian doubled. Stinnett singled to chase the Bradley University sophomore across the plate.
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Ricky Knapp threw the first seven innings, allowing seven hits, but no walks and two runs.
Two Alexandria runs came on solo homers, one from Mike LeViseur in the second inning and another from Chris Fritts in the seventh inning.
Jason West threw 11/3 innings for the save, dropping Alexandria to 2-4.
Attendance was listed at 537 with the temperature at 90 degrees for the 7:05 p.m. start.
The same two teams meet back at Nelsen Park this evening. The Stingers are back home on Wednesday to entertain the Beetles. The first 250 kids 14 years of age and under will receive a free Stingers baseball courtesy of Arnold's of Willmar.
