BISMARCK, ND – After a perfect homestand, the Stingers hit the road and suffered their first loss in over a week, losing 9-4 to the Bismarck Larks.

Willmar got on the board first in the first to go up 1-0, but the Larks had an answer.

Bismarck answered with three in the bottom half of the inning, and followed it up with two each in the 2nd and 3rd to take a 7-1 lead.

The Stingers got one back in the 6th on a Rhett Stokes (Nebraska) RBI single, and Bismarck answered to push the lead back to 6 at 8-2.

Again Willmar made a comeback effort in the 8th, pushing across two more with sacrifice flies from Stokes and Colin Hynek (Georgia State), but it was too little, too late.

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Will Henry (Augustana) was a bright spot for the Stingers, filling in four frames in relief, allowing just one run and striking out six.

Stingers and Larks matchup again Friday night in Bismarck with first pitch at 7:05 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.