WILLMAR, MN – On a beautiful night at the ballpark, the Stingers rolled to a 9-5 victory over the Badlands Big Sticks. 

Drue Young (Indiana Wesleyan) got the start for the Stingers and gave up 10 hits, but still worked through 6 innings complete, only allowing two runs.

The offense came in the 5th for Willmar, trailing 2-0 at the time.

Although they didn’t record a hit, they drew four walks as well as a hit by pitch, and when all was set and done, had three men cross the plate to take the lead 3-2.

That lead was extended in the 6th when Andrew Sojka (CSUN) launched a 2-run homer into right field, his league leading 7th of the year to make it 5-2.

In the 7th, Max Buettenback (Nebraska) joined in on the fun, taking the first pitch of the inning over the right field fence with the lead now 6-2.

The score was 7-4 in the 8th, and Buettenback delivered some insurance runs in a big way, blasting his 2nd homer of the night to make it 9-4.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Aiden Hansen (Minnesota State-Mankato) closed the game out, allowing just one run on one hit.

The same two teams meet on Friday at 6:35 pm at Bill Taunton Stadium.

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.