Willmar, MN — The Willmar Stingers (2-7) dropped their third straight game to the St. Cloud Rox (8-1) in a game that saw 10 combined runs in the fourth inning, 9-4.
The two sides held each other scoreless over the first three innings before the Rox broke through for six runs in the top of the fourth.
Alex Dupuy broke the scoreless tie with an infield single before two more runs crossed on a wild pitch and then a Dylan Westbrook sacrifice fly, 3-0. Nolan Geislinger tacked on three more with a single to left field, extending the St. Cloud advantage to six runs.
Eli Kokenge went 3.1 innings in his second start for the Stingers, allowing three hits with five runs, two walks and five strikeouts.
Willmar responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, cutting its deficit to two.
Ian McCubbin scored Kyle Panganiban with a sacrifice fly, then Merrick Rapoza knocked a single into right field during his season debut to plate David Estrada. Cru Huenfeld tacked on two more with an opposite field home run to left, making it 6-4, and was named the Les Schwab Player of the Game.
The Rox stopped the bleeding with a run the top of the fifth, taking back a three-run advantage. St. Cloud added more insurance with one run each in the seventh and ninth innings, when Dupuy came home on a sacrifice fly from Westbrook.
The visitors held the Stingers at bay in the late innings with strong relief performances from Brady Ferguson, Brandon Pelechowicz and Caleb Matthews, who recorded five punchouts in his six batters faced to seal the 9-4 win.
Willmar will look to avoid the series sweep tomorrow when the team faces the Rox at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud. First pitch is scheduled for 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
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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. 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.