Stingers advance

The North Bay Stingers defeated the Sturgeon Fall Builders 7-6 in 10 innings on Monday night to eliminate 3 time champions from the playoffs. The Stingers now advance to play Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. against the loser of the Boston Pizza/Skater's Edge game.

Dale Valade was the pitching hero throwing all 10 innings for the victory. He allowed 9 hits while striking out 14 batters. Steve Clark was the hard luck loser throwing a complete game allowing only 6 hits and striking out 4 batters.

Sturgeon struck first with 3 runs in the 2nd inning. Matt Shank led off with a towering shot to left for the first run and Don Baronette had 2 run double. The Stingers answered with 4 runs in the third all with 2 out. Miguel Champagne had a single to drive in Patrick Blais for the 1st run. Valade followed with a long double scoring Valade. Tougas got on via an error and Hamilton drove them both home on a single.

Sturgeon tied in the fifh on a Baronette single. Both teams added runs in the 8th and 9th innings. Valade held them in the 10th inning and the Stingers scored on throwing error allowing Chris Kangur to score the winning run.

Champagne and Valade had 2 hits each. Brad Berube and Thomas Hamilton added the other hits for North Bay. Don Baronette had 3 hits for Sturgeon and Matt Shank had 2 hits including a home run.

Submitted to BayToday.ca