WILLMAR, MN – The Stingers returned home on Tuesday night and dropped the first home game of the second half by a score of 6-2 to the Minot Hot Tots.

Minot got on the board right away, tallying 5 runs in the first, thanks to some timely hitting.

After the first, starter Aidan Gonzalez (San Diego) got into a groove, giving the Stingers six innings and striking out ten.

But unfortunately the offense never picked him up, as they were stifled by the Hot Tots pitching staff.

The first run came in the 5th, as Jack Spanier (Minnesota), legged out an infield single and then used his speed around the base paths to capitalize on a couple of Minot errors.

After a Hot Tot run in the 6th, Willmar added on another in the 8th on a 2-out RBI single from Colin Hynek (Georgia State).

Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Ian Segna (Concordia-St Paul), threw a scoreless top of the 9th with two strikeouts to give his offense a chance.

But it was too little, too late, as the Hot Tots were able to slam the door for the 6-2 win.

The same two teams square off in a doubleheader tomorrow, with game one at 12:05 pm and game two set for 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.