St. Cloud, MN– The Willmar Stingers (19-15) dropped the opening game against the St. Cloud Rox (21-12), 14-1.

In the top of the second, right fielder Max Buettenback left the yard for the fourth time this season.

The St. Cloud Rox answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth.

The Rox scored one run in the bottom of the sixth.

The Stingers would be blanked for four innings.

The Rox kept their offense going, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

In the top of the eighth, Buettenback homered for the second time to pull the Stingers within three.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Rox grabbed one more run.

In the bottom of the ninth, Landon Franklin pinch hit and walked to start the inning, but the Stingers were unable to score.

 For the Stingers, Isaac Hanson went 6.0 innings, striking out four.

Max Buettenback went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs and a walk.

Carter Waslh went 1-for-3 with a walk.

The Stingers will continue their road trip against the Bismarck Larks with first pitch set for 7:05p.m. CT on NWL+.

For more information, please call our office at (320) 222-2010. 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 at (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 developing elite college baseball players. Entering its 32^nd 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.

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