After cruising to a 12-2 win over the Hot Tots this morning, the Willmar Stingers were able to duplicate things later in the day winning by the same score to finish off a doubleheader.

While the earlier game saw three Stinger home runs, this game featured much more small ball starting immediately in the first as MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Stone Miyao roped an RBI double for the first of three runs in the inning.

Minot nearly matched that total in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run homer from Karson Evans which would end up being the only runs for the Hot Tots in the game.

The Stingers quickly bounced back, adding two more in the second with a run coming in off a fielder’s choice and the other resulting from an RBI single from Kyle Payne.

A balk would score Luke Williams in the third to give the Stingers a 6-2 lead.

The offense would be held silent until the sixth inning where the Stingers would load up the bases and net two runs from walks and one from a sac fly.

Keeping the Hot Tots silent during that time was Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Rylen Bayne who threw three innings of shutout baseball only allowing two hits to navigate the Stingers through the middle portion of the game.

Headed into the seventh inning, the Stingers held a 9-2 lead before lightning in the area would cause nearly a 50-minute weather delay.

Once the delay ended, the Stingers would add three runs in the final two innings of play as the Hot Tots trotted out catcher Travis Stapleton to finish the game on the mound after a close play at third led to two Minot coaches being ejected.

Andrew Baumgart would close the door on the 12-2 win as the Stingers will now look for the series victory against the Hot Tots on Wednesday.

For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.

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