SAINT CLOUD, MN – The Stingers were back in Saint Cloud on Saturday night, and this time picked up the win over the Rox by a score of 10-3, securing home-field advantage in the upcoming playoff series.
Willmar got on the board right away, with three in the 1st, highlighted by a Dariel Osoria (Kansas) 2-run homer.
Up 3-2 in the 5th, the Stingers got three more, scoring on RBIs from Osoria and Max Buettenback (Nebraska) to go up 6-2.
The Stingers added on two more in the 6th on a Brett Blair (Stanford) RBI double and another RBI for Buettenback.
Insurance was provided in the 8th with two more runs, and that was plenty for the pitching staff.
Greysen Strauss (Northeast CC), Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Isaac Hanson (Jamestown) and Cameron Jensen (Southwest MN-State) were all terrific, allowing eight hits and just two earned runs combined.
Game one of the playoffs is back in Saint Cloud on Sunday, with first pitch at 4:05 pm.
Game two and a potential game three will be in Willmar on Monday and Tuesday if necessary.
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.