WATERLOO, IOWA – The Willmar Stingers kicked off the 2024 season with a 5-2 win over the Waterloo Bucks in a cross-division matchup on Monday afternoon.

Coming off a season in which the Stingers set the Northwoods League record for runs, Willmar picked up right where they left off as Colton Griffin (Stephen F Austin) launched a leadoff home run to put the Stingers up 1-0.

After a perfect bottom half of the first inning from starting pitcher J.D. Hennen (Augustana), the rain came in and caused about an hour long delay.

Following the delay, Willmar added on three more runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run double off the bat of Aidan Byrne (Minnesota State-Mankato) and an RBI single from James Whitman (Biola).

Willmar added on in the fourth, as Sam Siegel (Augustana) scored on a Griffin fielder’s choice to make it 5-0.

With the rain delay causing Hennen to be pulled after just one inning, the bullpen was called upon, and they answered in a big way.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game, Sebastian Granados (Grossmont Community College) went four innings, giving up just three hits and kept the Bucks off the board.

Waterloo would get a couple of runs back in the later innings, but the trio of Sam Tyrpa (Dakota State), Will Eldridge (Indiana Wesleyan), and Andrew Baumgart (North Dakota State) were able to close it out and put the Stingers in the win column on opening day.

The second and final game of the series is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:35 pm in Waterloo as the Stingers look for the road sweep.

For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com. The 2024 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.

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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 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 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team 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.