Stingers Blank Bucks 9-0 In Game 1

The Willmar Stingers (9-2) defeated the Waterloo Bucks (4-9) in game one of the two game series at Riverfront Field on Saturday night by a score of 9-0.

For Willmar, they were led by strong pitching performances from Ryan Wiltse and Ben Irsfeld. Wiltse pitched 5.2 innings and recorded four strikeouts and only allowed one hit. Irsfeld pitched 2.1 innings of work and recorded three strikeouts and also allowed a single hit.

Wiltse was the MinnWest Technology Campus player of the game and Irsfeld was our Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game.

Offensively, the Stingers started the scoring in the third inning when Stone Miyao (University of Hawaii) advanced on a dropped third strike. In the fourth inning, Willmar tacked on two more runs when Drey Dirksen (Augustana University) hit a solo shot in his season debut for the Stingers. Jake Hjelle also was driven in from Zach Stroh on a sacrifice fly.

In the sixth, the black and yellow opened up the contest plating four more runs. Scott Anderson (Point Loma Nazarene) and Sean Rimmer (University of Hawaii) scored when Jake Hjelle (University of Minnesota- Crookston) drove a ball off the wall down the third base line. Drey Dirksen scored on a wild pitch and Hjelle came around to score again when Kyle Payne put a single into the gap to make the score 7-0.

In the eighth inning, Willmar would add on to the big margin when who else but Dirksen and Payne crossed the plate late in the game adding on two more runs.

For the Stingers, Ryan Wiltse was awarded the win and Aaron Savary was dealt the loss for the Bucks.

The two teams will be back in action tomorrow at Riverfront Field for a day game at 2:35 to wrap up the series.

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.