Willmar, Minn. — Gannon Reidinger grew up a Stingers fan in Montevideo, Minnesota, less than an hour away from Bill Taunton Stadium.
Wednesday night, he delivered a storybook start to his time in a Stinger uniform, throwing seven shutdown innings to lead Willmar (1-2) to a 1-0 win over the Minot Hot Tots (1-2).
Reidinger (1-0) worked an efficient quality start, allowing just one hit with no walks and seven strikeouts on his way to being named the Les Schwab Player of the Game. He handed the ball over to Parker Barraza, who also made his Stingers debut and recorded the save (1) after going two innings and allowing one hit and one walk with four strikeouts.
The Stingers struck early, plating their one and only run in the bottom of the first inning.
Kyle Panganiban reached base on a fielder’s choice and stole second before coming home on an RBI single to center field by Taggert Cameron. The two-way player went 1-for-2, also reaching base via a walk, one night after recording four scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
Willmar’s defense also played a crucial role in maintaining the shutout. Ian McCubbin saved the Stingers lead in the top of the sixth when he nabbed Nick Kaelin at the plate on a line drive throw for an inning-ending double play after Kellan Burke flew out.
The victory gives Willmar manager Freddy Smith his first win of the season and 144th in the regular season as the Stingers manager.
Willmar will look to sweep the series against Minot tomorrow night and move to .500 on Stingers Baseball Cap Night. The first 150 fans will receive a hat courtesy of Heritage Bank and Pioneer Heritage Insurance. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m.
Visit willmarstingers.com or call 320-222-2010 to reserve your seats today. The 2026 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
##
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. Now entering its’ 33rd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 415 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) 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 (NYM). League games are viewable live on FloSports.tv.