WILLMAR, MN – The Stingers returned home on Saturday night and were greeted with a loss, courtesy of the Waterloo Bucks, 16-2 the final.

The Bucks got on the board in the first, putting up four and never looked back.

Starting pitcher Aidan Elfering was fantastic for Waterloo, going six innings and striking out five while allowing just one earned. 

The Stingers got it back to 7-2 after a couple of RBI groundouts but the Bucks had an answer and in a big way.

They put up nine insurance runs in the top of the ninth to take a 16-2 lead that would wind up being the winning score.

A bright spot for Willmar was Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Brooks Kneifl (Nebraska), who filled in the middle part of the game and struck out five, including striking out the side in the 5th.

The same two teams matchup on Sunday night at Bill Taunton Stadium with first pitch at 5:05 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.