WILLMAR, MN.- The Willmar Stingers continued its winning ways on Thursday with an 8-1 win over the Thunder Bay Border Cats for No. 49 on the season.

Willmar would find the scoreboard in the first as Drey Dirksen launched an RBI double to put the Stingers in front.

Jake Hjelle followed that up an inning later with a solo shot for his first homer at Bill Taunton Stadium to put the Stingers up by two.

That wasn’t all for the second inning however as MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Stone Miyao hit an RBI single which was followed by another from Dirksen on the next at-bat.

With the Stingers up by four after the second inning, Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Adam Biewen entered the game and pitched five scoreless innings as he only allowed two hits and struck out four batters.

The Stingers added more on the offensive side as Aidan Byrne ripped an RBI single in the fifth to extend the lead to five.

A pair of errors added two more runs in the seventh inning to get the Stingers up 7-0.

For even more insurance, Miyao singled to drive in one more in the eighth to add on for the Stingers.

Despite allowing a Border Cats run on a fielder’s choice in the ninth, the Stingers held on to secure their eighth consecutive victory.

Willmar also secured win No. 49 on the season which set a franchise record for the most in a single season.

The Stingers will hit the road for their final series of the regular season as they face the Eau Claire Express.

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.