WILLMAR, MN.- In the opening game of Thursday’s doubleheader, the Willmar Stingers did more than enough to secure a 12-8 victory over the Minot Hot Tots.
After an early pitchers duel between starters Chris Rofe and Jack Smith, the Stingers were finally able to break through in the third as Drey Dirksen laced a double to score Andrew Sojka for the game’s first run.
Dirksen would come around to score as well with Kevin Fitzer capitalizing on a Hot Tots error to double the lead.
The lead wouldn’t last for long however as for the second straight night, Drew Woodcox came up to the plate with the bases loaded and launched a grand slam to put the Hot Tots up by two with one swing.
Now headed into the bottom of the fifth trailing for the first time, the Stingers offense struck gold in MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Aidan Byrne as he put Willmar back in front with a 2-RBI double.
The Stingers added five more runs in the sixth with Byrne again playing a big role in the offense.
Byrne would single to bring two more runs across and help get the Stingers up 12-4 after the sixth inning.
The Hot Tots would push back into the game towards the late stages, scoring a run in the eighth with a single from Karson Evans and making their biggest push in the ninth.
Ryan Recio hit a homer for the second straight game as he brought three runs across to cut the Stinger lead to four but Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Rylen Bayne finished the job to close out the win.
The Stingers and Hot Tots will meet again later tonight with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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.
