DICKINSON, ND- In game two of the series out in Dickinson, the Stingers earned a series split against the Badlands Big Sticks by a score 12-3.
The offense got going early as Andrew Sojka (CSUN) blasted a solo home run into right center field to make it 1-0.
After a Big Sticks run to tie it up at 1-1, Willmar tacked on two runs, one in the 2nd and one in the 3rd to take the lead 3-1.
Stingers starter Will Whelan (Minnesota) settled in after the first, going on to toss six straight scoreless frames and in total striking out eight.
Willmar took control of the game in those six frames, scoring two in the 4th and two more in the 7th thanks to Sojka’s 2nd home run of the night and league leading 20th of the season.
With the score 7-1, the Stingers kept on scoring, with one in the 8th and a four spot in the 9th highlighted by a Brett Blair (Stanford) two run homer.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Korey Dahlberg (Concordia-St Paul) closed things out and the Stingers took the win.
Willmar returns home on Saturday to take on the Bismarck Larks at 7:05 pm at Bill Taunton Stadium.
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.
