WILLMAR, MN.- Returning home with a two-game win streak, the Willmar Stingers were unable to extend it as they fell 6-2 to the Waterloo Bucks on Saturday.

The Bucks jumped out to a hot start in the first inning as they used an early-game error to their advantage, scoring on a fielder’s choice for the game’s first run.

Greg Nichols added to that lead with a triple which scored two more and he was promptly brought in with a Drew Donaldson single.

Down 4-0 and seeing three unearned runs against him, Stingers starter Luke Schafer was dominant during the rest of his outing as he lasted six innings while striking out seven batters.

The Stingers were unable to score during that span and the Bucks only added onto their lead with a solo blast from Ben Gallaher.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Sam Malec limited the damage after that and it gave the Stingers a chance in the eighth.

With two outs in the inning, Sean Rimmer entered the game as a pinch hitter and singled to bring in the Stingers’ first run.

The Bucks got that run back however in the ninth with a double from Gallaher to make the comeback a bit harder.

MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Luke Williams got a potential rally started with a double to score a run.

It was the second hit of the game for Williams but it would be the last hit of the day for the Stingers as they fell short against the Bucks in a series opening defeat.

The two sides will meet again tomorrow in the final game before the All-Star break.

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.