WILLMAR, MN – On another beautiful night for baseball in Willmar, the Stingers closed out the first half with a win, this time 14-5 over the Bismarck Larks.

Again Bismarck got on the board first, going up 2-0 in the 2nd.

But Willmar responded in a big way, with another trademarked crooked number on the scoreboard, scoring eight in the 3rd inning.

Trevor Wintertsein (Augustana) sparked the rally with a solo home run, which was one of three homers in the inning. Max Buettenback (Nebraska) and Jack Taxdahl (Minnesota) each hit two run homers as well, and when all was set and done, each Stinger reached base and they had a 8-2 lead.

That was all starter J.D. Hennen (Augustana) would need, as he went 7.1 innings, allowing five runs and striking out four.

Willmar added two more in the 4th and two more in the 6th, with one of those RBIs coming again from Buettenback, a part of another four-hit night with five RBIs.

Insurance was added in the 8th on another Buettenback 2 RBI double and Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Sebastian Granados closed out the 14-5 win.

Willmar opens the second half tomorrow in Minot 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.