EAU CLAIRE, WI.- The Willmar Stingers will leave Wisconsin happy after an 11-4 victory over the Eau Claire Express to close a series sweep.

It didn’t look like things were going to start that way for the Stingers as they played from behind for the second straight night.

That came thanks to a two-run homer from Dylan O’Connell to vault the Express in front.

Kevin Fitzer matched that total in the third with a two-run blast of his own for his second of the series.

Eau Claire took the lead right back the following inning as Kaden Galason singled to drive in two.

It would be all Stingers after that as after a passed ball cut the deficit in half, MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Andrew Sojka gave Willmar its first lead of the day with a grand slam in the sixth.

The Stingers weren’t done as they broke the game open in the same inning with a pair of RBI singles from Sean Rimmer and Jack Hines.

Insurance came for the Stingers in the seventh with runs scoring on an Express error and RBI single from Drey Dirksen.

That would be all the Stingers needed as Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Hunter Magnuson pitched three shutout innings to close the game.

The Stingers will now return to Bill Taunton Stadium for their final homestand of the season which starts with a two-game series against the Minot Hot Tots.

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.