WILLMAR, MN.- The Willmar Stingers saw its winning streak come to an end in disappointing fashion, falling 13-4 against St. Cloud Rox.

St. Cloud wasted no time in pouring runs on at Bill Taunton Stadium as a first inning double from Oscar Serratos Jr. got one across before ever recording an out.

The big damage would come in the second as the Rox flexed their muscles on Stingers starter Sam Malec.

Malec would see the Rox pick up six hits during the course of the inning with as many runs coming across.

Serratos Jr. brought in two of those runs with his second double of the game.

Needing runs in an instant, MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Drey Dirksen delivered with a solo homer to get the Stingers on the board in the bottom half of the second.

The Rox quickly added onto that total however with a two-run homer from Kyle Jackson in the fourth.

An inning later, the Rox replicated that success with a walk and hit by pitch to extend the lead 11-1.

Kevin Fitzer cut into the lead with a two-run blast for his tenth homer of the summer but that would end the comeback attempt for the Stingers.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Tom Sun gave it his best effort, only allowing two runs through his four and a third innings of work but the damage was already done.

With the victory, the Rox cut their deficit in the Great Plains West second half by one game as the Stingers will look to get that game back as they travel to St. Cloud for three games against the Rox starting on Wednesday.

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.