Written by Dain Solberg
WILLMAR, MN- The Stingers (7-2) finished out the home-and-home series against the Mankato Moondogs (5-6) securing the sweep by a score of 9-2 at ISG Field on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College.
The Moondogs struck in the first inning when Ariel Armas (University of San Diego) drove in Kip Fougerousse (University of Evansville).
Clay Beaumont (Northeast Community College) got the nod for the Stingers, pitching 4.0 innings allowing four hits and one free pass.
For Mankato, RJ Elmore (Grand Canyon University) pitched 5.1 innings allowing nine hits and four free passes.
Late in the game, Nolan Kemp (University of Saint Thomas) pitched 3.2 innings, allowing just two hits.
Jake Hjelle (University of Minnesota- Crookston), would knot the contest up in the sixth inning when he belted an offspeed pitch over the left field wall.
In the seventh, who else but Jake Hjelle would drive in Stone Miyao (University of Hawaii) from third to take the go ahead lead. Kyle Payne would then put a charge into one to drive in Kevin Fitzer to make it a 4-2 Stingers lead.
Luke Williams (University of Alabama) would drive in three runners in that same inning for a bases clearing triple. This would give Willmar a five run lead late in the contest.
Kevin Fitzer (California State- Northridge) would extend the Willmar lead in the eighth inning when he launched a ball into the seats for a solo home run with one out. This would be Fitzer’s third home run of the season.
In the ninth, The Stingers would tack on another run making the score 9-2.
Nolan Kemp secured the win for the Stingers. Corbin Talley (Northwestern State University) was dealt the loss for the Moondogs, pitching one inning allowing one hit and two walks.
The Stingers will travel to Iowa to take on the Waterloo Bucks in a two game road series at Waterloo Riverfront Park on Saturday and Sunday.
If you would like more information on tickets for the 2023 season, or more information regarding this news story, please contact the Willmar Stingers front office by calling 320-222-2010. More information can also be found at www.willmarstingers.com.
The 2023 Stingers season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
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The Willmar Stingers is a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.comand on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.
