WILLMAR, MN – On a rainy night at Bill Taunton Stadium, the Stingers fell for the second consecutive night, this time to the Minnesota Mud Puppies, 8-7.

Stingers starter Sebastian Granados (Grossmont CC) went 4 innings, giving up four hits and allowing 2 earned runs.

On the offensive side, the Stingers wasted no time getting on the board, as Andrew Sojka (CSUN) used his speed for a leadoff single, and then stole 2nd and 3rd, advancing home on the steal of third on a throwing error to tie the game up at 1.

Willmar then took the lead in the second, with four runs to make it 5-1, highlighted by a Nico Senese (Georgia Tech) 2-run homer

The Mud Puppies responded back with five of their own in the 5th to retake the lead 6-5.

Willmar retook that lead in the 6th with 2 runs, making it 7-6.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Andrew Baumgart (NDSU) tossed 2.2 shutout  innings, allowing two hits, and striking out one.

Minnesota scored a run in each the 8th and the 9th to take the lead back for the final time 8-7.

The Stingers threatened in the 9th by loading the bases, but couldn’t cash in and took the defeat.

Willmar has two off days before hitting the road on Wednesday to take on the Mankato MoonDogs with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 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.