WILLMAR, MN.- The Willmar Stingers will head into the break happy as they were able to squeak by the Waterloo Bucks with a 4-2 win on Sunday.

Waterloo flexed its muscles in the early stages of the game as Drew Donaldson led off the third inning with a solo homer to put the Bucks up by one.

In what may be preparation for the Home Run Challenge, Drey Dirksen gave the Stingers the lead with a two-run blast of his own.

Marcus Heusohn went deep in the sixth for the Bucks second homer of the game to tie things at two.

That would be all for the Bucks thanks to MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game and Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Tom Sun.

Sun came in after the Heusohn homer and proceeded to lock things down for the next three and a thirds innings.

During that time, Aidan Byrne got the Stingers in front with a run-scoring single in the seventh.

Sean Rimmer doubled the lead an inning later with a single of his own to help put the Stingers up 4-2.

After Sun got the first out of the ninth inning, Aaron Ragat forced a game-ending double play to keep the Stingers on top.

The Stingers will now have a few days to rest as the Great Plains All-Star festivities begin on Monday.

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.