Willmar, MN.– The Stingers (5-1) took the home opener against Thunder Bay (3-4), 13-4.
Thunder Bay took an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first.
The Stingers bounced right back, scoring four runs. Designated hitter Ryan Kramer drove in two with a single. Catcher Brock Larsen drove in Kramer with an RBI single.
The Stingers’ bats went quiet over the next three innings, before Willmar added four runs in the fifth, capped off by left fielder Jordan Kuhnau’s three-run home run.
In the bottom of the sixth, Willmar came right back, scoring another four runs. Kuhnau drove in third baseman Jameson Martin to start the scoring. Larsen drove in two with a single to centerfield. Right fielder Grant Sonke capped off the inning with a RBI double to give the Stingers a 12-3 lead.
Ian Segna followed up a great season debut, pitching 7.0 innings, allowing three earned runs, with striking out four.
Ben Irsfeld extended his scoreless inning streak to six after pitching 1.0 innings, striking out two.
Jordan Kuhnau went 3-5 with three RBIs.
Grant Sonke went 2-4 with four RBIs, including a home run.
Willmar will continue their home series against the Thunder Bay on Monday, June 2nd, at 6:35pm CT on NWL+.
Visit willmarstingers.com or call 320-222-2010 to reserve your seats today. The 2025 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
About the Willmar Stingers:
The Willmar Stingers are a member of the Northwoods League, the premier summer collegiate baseball league in North America. The Stingers provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment while showcasing the top college baseball talent from across the country.
For more information about the Willmar Stingers, visit willmarstingers.com or contact the front office (320)222-2010 or info@willmarstingers.com
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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’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 24 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 380 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 (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford 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, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network. Learn more and find complete streaming schedules at watchnwl.com. 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.