Willmar, MN – The Stingers score early and often, with Esteban Sepulveda going 2-4 with a triple, double, and four RBIs, and used a six-run bottom of the fifth inning to power an 11-4 win over the Bucks in game one of the series Saturday night.

After getting swept in La Crosse, the Bucks ran ahead right away in the top of the first inning in game one at Willmar. On the first pitch of the game, Larry Edwards chopped a double down the left field line. During the next at-bat, Edwards stole third, then scored on a throwing error to make it 1-0 Waterloo.

In the bottom of the second inning, Willmar had an answer. Two walks set the table for Esteban Sepulveda, who banged a two-out double to left-center to plate a pair to jump the Stingers in front 2-1. One batter later, Brecken Menuet dunked a single down in left to bring Sepulveda in to make it 3-1.

In the top of the third, the Bucks got those runs back. Mitchell Iliff walked, then Jake Slade singled before both runners moved up on a double steal. Zach Davis put a ball in play with an RBI groundout that brought Iliff in to score to cut the lead to 3-2. Next up, George Baker laid down a perfect bunt to score Slade to level the tally at 3-3. 

In the home half of the third, Willmar grabbed the lead back. Two hit by pitches and two walks forced in a run to put the Stingers back ahead 4-3.

In the top of the fifth, Waterloo tied things up. MJ Sweeney reached on an error, then Zach Davis was hit by a pitch. Next up, George Baker grounded into a fielder’s choice but on the play a throwing error allowed Sweeney to score to knot the contest at 4-4.

In the last of the fifth, Willmar broke the game open. Levi Maddela walked with one out, then stole second in front of Kobe Eikmeier who notched an RBI single to right to lift Willmar into a 5-4 lead. One batter later, Sepulveda laced a triple to right to bring Eikmeier in from first to grow the lead to 6-4. With two outs, Luke DeVine singled, then a throwing error allowed a run in to make it 7-4. Kai Gonzaga pulled an RBI single to right to bring in one more to extend the advantage to 8-4. The exclamation point was put on the inning with a David Estrada two-run home run to spring the Stingers into double digits, 10-4. 

Later in the game, Willmar added on to their lead to take game one of the series, 11-4. 

With the loss, the Bucks go to 23-26 overall and 9-6 in the second half of the season. Game two of the two-game set is slated for 5:05 pm Sunday night. Cameron Saleh takes the start for Waterloo opposite Riley Hasenstaub of the Stingers.