WILLMAR, MN.- The Willmar Stingers offense came to play once again on Sunday as they were able to secure an 18-4 win against the Minnesota Mud Puppies.
Willmar once again started hot early in the game with Kyle Payne sneaking one over the right field wall for a three-run homer that would help put the Stingers up 4-0 after the first.
MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Dallas Duarte extended the lead in the second inning with a single that would score two getting the Stingers lead to 7-0.
After Stingers starter Jack Kelley locked things down through the first four innings, the Mud Puppies found their way back into the game in the fifth with five consecutive hits that brought four runs across.
With the game within three runs, the Stingers put together their biggest inning of the season in the bottom half of the fifth.
After the Stingers got their first five runners on base, consecutive hits from Sean Rimmer, Drey Dirksen and Duarte helped kickstart the inning while a Parker Stinson triple put the exclamation point on a 10-run inning.
That helped get the Stingers an 17-4 lead and a fielder’s choice the following inning would add on their final run of the game.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Tyler Bryan tossed two shutout innings to seal the deal on the win.
With the Stingers winning streak now at six games, they’ll have a day off on Monday before welcoming in the Rochester Honkers the following day.
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.
