MINOT, ND – For the third time in as many days, the Stingers claimed victory over the Minot Hot Tots, this time by a score of 9-7 on Thursday night.

Willmar came out of the gates fast and found themselves with a 6-1 lead after two and a half innings.

The scoring started in the 1st thanks to back-to-back home runs, one from Max Buettenback (Nebraska) and the other from Colin Hynek (Georgia State) to go up 2-0.

Then in the 2nd they added on two more on a 2-run double off the bat of Jack Spanier (Minnesota).

Aidan Byrne (Minnesota State-Mankato) got in on the fun in the 3rd with an RBI triple for the fifth run before scoring for the sixth.

Minot responded with a six spot of their own in the bottom of the inning and the Stingers had to come from behind for the victory.

It was the long ball that proved to be the difference, as first it was Andrew Sojka (CSUN) who wasted no time tying up the game with a solo shot to respond in the 4th, his league-leading 10thg of the season.

The Stingers bullpen kept tossing up zeroes, and Harrison Taubert (Evansville) came up with the big hit, launching a 2-run homer in the 8th to put Willmar up 9-7.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Aiden Hansen (Minnesota State-Mankato) closed things out and was dazzling, throwing three perfect innings with four strikeouts giving the Stingers the game and the series.

Willmar returns home to Bill Taunton Stadium on Friday night to take on the St. Cloud Rox with first pitch at 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.