WILLMAR, MN – The Stingers welcomed in the Eau Claire Express on a perfect night for baseball at Bill Taunton Stadium, and fans were treated to a 13-7 Willmar victory.

The scoring got started in the 2nd when Jack Spanier (Minnesota) drilled a 2-out 2-strike RBI single into center field, making it 1-0.

It would stay at that score until the bottom of the 4th, thanks to WIll Whelan (Minnesota).

The Stingers starter was electric, going 5+ innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits and striking out 10.

The offense picked him up in that bottom of the 4th, by placing a 9 spot on the scoreboard, pushing the lead to 10-0.

Just about everyone got in on the fun as an inning included an RBI double from Andrew Sojka (CSUN), and RBI single from Colin Hynek (Georgia State), and was blown open by a 2 RBI double off the bat of the newest Stinger Jessada Brown (UC Santa Barbara).

Eau Claire got back to within striking distance in the 6th, hanging 4 runs of the board to cut the deficit to 6.

But that deficit was pushed immediately back to 8 thanks to a 2-run Aidan Byrne (Minnesota State-Mankato) home run.

The Express got it back to 12-7, but an insurance sac fly from Byrne and scoreless ninth from another new Stinger Anthony Steinhoff (Iowa Central CC) closed it out and gave Willmar the win.

The same two teams wrap up their series Monday night at Bill Taunton Stadium 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.