Willmar, Minn. – The Stingers went out with a bang for the 2021 season, with the bats still hot after they beat the Eau Claire Express Saturday night, 11-8.

They scored four times in the first inning on an RBI single by William Hamiter (who then scored on an error) and a two-run single by Tate Meiners capped off the frame.

Eau Claire scored once in the second on an RBI groundout by Hamilton Anderson, and the Stingers responded with three more in that frame. Hamiter hit an RBI double, and Derek Hackman and Matthew Enck each had RBI singles.

The Express made it a game again in the fourth when two runs scored on an error and two more came in on a single by Nick Marinconz. At that point it was 7-5. Willmar scored four in the next three innings to break away, two on a single by Brady Counsell, one on a sacrifice fly by Asa Awbrey, and another on a single by Hamiter.

Eau Claire cut Willmar’s lead to 11-8 in the seventh on RBI singles by Max Blessinger and Jake Nelson, but the Stingers bullpen hurled two shutout innings in the eighth and ninth to seal the win.

Thank you to all of our staff, players, coaches and fans for making this an incredible summer. The Stingers wouldn’t exist without your support.