WILLMAR, MN – In a back and forth battle on Tuesday night, the Stingers came up short against the Minnesota Mud Puppies, losing 11-10.

Willmar got on the board in the 1st inning, with Max Buettenback (Nebraska) smacking a 2-out RBI double to go up 1-0.

Stingers starter Will Whelan (Minnesota) then had a historic night, striking out eight batters which gives him the Stingers single-season record for strikeouts, now with 62 on the year.

Trailing 4-1 in the 6th, Brayden Hellum (Kirkwood CC) ignited the offense with a solo shot to right bringing them back within 2.

A Liam Bushey (Western Illinois) RBI single later in the inning made it 4-3 going to the 7th.

The Mud Puppies answered with 2 of their own, but the Stingers had a bigger response.

Willmar erupted for seven runs in the 7th, including a three-run homer off the bat of Hayden Lewis (Nebraska) to make it 10-6.

From there it was all Mud Puppies, scoring two in the 8th and three in the 9th to take home the win.

Willmar returns to action on Thursday night at Bill Taunton Stadium as they host the Badlands Big Sticks 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.