WILLMAR, MN – For the second time in as many series’, the Willmar Stingers and Badlands Big Sticks played to a split, with Badlands taking Friday night’s game 5-2.

Willmar struck first, on a leadoff triple from Andrew Sojka (CSUN) who was driven in by Sam Siegel (Augustana) to go up 1-0.

Then the Big Sticks got on the board in the 2nd on a Kaden Carpenter (Utah) home run and never looked back from there.

Badlands scored one in the third, two in the fourth and one more in the fifth to make it 5-1.

The Stingers got one back in the fifth on a Colton Griffin (Stephen F Austin) RBI groundout, but that’s all they would get for the remainder of the game.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the game Will Henry (Augustana) and the rest of the bullpen kept the game within striking distance down the stretch, but Willmar was never able to get the big hit and start a comeback

The Stingers fall to 9-8 while Badlands gets back to .500 at 9-9 as both teams sit within 2 games of first place Bismarck in the Great Plains West.

Willmar travels to Bismarck tomorrow to take on the Larks in game one of a two game set.

First pitch in Bismarck is 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.