WILLMAR, MN – In another pitchers duel at Bill Taunton Stadium, the Stingers fell to the Mankato Moondogs 4-3.
Starter Sam Schofield (Georgia State) was fantastic in his Stingers debut, tossing four shutout innings with five strikeouts.
Willmar got on the board in the third inning, on a Colin Hynek (Georgia State) 2-out RBI single to put them up 1-0.
Mankato responded with two runs in the top of the fifth, before the Stingers answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to tie it up at 2 heading to the late innings.
Mankato got the big hit in the 8th, on a 2-RBI single off the bat of Eli Anderson (North Iowa Area CC).
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Adam Troy (Pepperdine) pitched a scoreless 9th with two strikeouts to keep the deficit at 4-2 going to the bottom half of the inning.
Andrew Sojka (CSUN) got the Stingers back within one on a solo blast to right field, but Mankato was able to slam the door shut and earn the series split.
Willmar closes out the homestand tomorrow evening against the Minnesota Mud Puppies, with first pitch at 5:05 pm.
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.
