MANKATO, MN.- For the second straight night, the Willmar Stingers found themselves on the losing end of a one-run game as they fell to the Mankato MoonDogs 3-2.
Most of the contest saw the Stingers playing from behind after a Kai Roberts double brought in the games first run for the MoonDogs.
After that first-inning blemish, Stingers starter Chris Rofe was dominant in his first start of the summer as he threw four innings and struck out six batters.
The Stingers remained down by one until the fifth inning where a double from MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Drey Dirksen gave Willmar its first run and tied the game up at one.
Both Aaron Ragat and Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Johnny Zayas, making their season debuts, would provide two scoreless innings of work coming out of the Stingers bullpen.
That brought the game to the ninth inning where the Stingers were looking to capitalize off of a leadoff triple from Kasten Furr.
Andrew Sojka made sure they did just that with an infield single which gave the Stingers their first lead of the ballgame now up 2-1.
Gino Cozzi came into the game looking to secure a Stingers victory but Mankato had other plans.
The MoonDogs took advantage of a rare error from Stone Miyao for the game-tying run.
That brought Kip Fougerousse to the plate with a pair of runners on where he would hit one just far enough to bring in the game-winning run.
The Stingers and MoonDogs will wrap up their two-game series tomorrow with Willmar still in search of its first second half victory.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
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The Willmar Stingers are 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 24 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, over 325 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.com and 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.
