(Duluth, MN) — Despite five strong innings from UMD standout Bo Hellquist, the Huskies dropped the Northwoods League season opener to the Willmar Stingers by a score of 7-1 on a chilly evening at Wade Stadium. It was the first of a two game home stand that concludes tomorrow evening at 6:35pm.

Hellquist allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out four Stingers in the non-decision.  He was replaced by Chris Myjak, (Des Moines Area CC) who tossed two scoreless innings in relief.  Perhaps the highlight of the game for the Huskies came in the first inning, when Dominic Brugnoni (Florida Southern) blasted a solo shot over the right-center wall.  It was the first home run hit by a Huskies player at Wade Stadium in nearly two years.  In an otherwise slow night at the plate for the Huskies, two of the total four hits came from shortstop Alex Greene. (West Florida)

The Duluth Huskies are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.duluthhuskies2.com