ST. CLOUD, MN.- The Willmar Stingers scored double-digit runs for the third consecutive game as they were able to pick up a 14-4 win over the St. Cloud Rox on Friday.

In the early stages of the game, the Rox had an edge and that was shown in the first inning as a passed ball scored Haiden Hunt to get St. Cloud in front.

Both starting pitchers would lock things down after that with Stingers starter Aiden Hansen limiting the damage after that first inning.

That would allow the Stingers to take the lead in the fifth as MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Andrew Sojka doubled to tie the game as the go-ahead run would come home on another passed ball.

The Rox bounced back in the following inning as Michael McNamara continued to cause problems for the Stingers as he doubled to score two and give the Rox the lead as he was later brought in on a sac fly.

Needing to spark a late rally, the Stingers did that and then some in the seventh.

Sojka sparked it with a triple to tie the game at four as a single from Kevin Fitzer gave the Stingers their first lead of the night.

That wasn’t all however as after Sean Rimmer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Luke Williams cleared the bases with a double to close a seven-run inning for the Stingers.

The Stingers would add on five more runs in the eighth with a 2 RBI ground-rule double from Jake Hjelle in his first game back in the lineup and a run-scoring triple from Rimmer being the highlights.

During that time, Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Kristopher Hokenson tossed three shutout innings from the bullpen to make it to the ninth where Andrew Baumgart would slam the door.

The Stingers have now won their last two games to extend the lead in the Great Plains West second half.

Now, the Stingers will return to Bill Taunton Stadium to host the Waterloo Bucks for their final series before the Great Plains West All-Star Game.

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.