Eau Claire, Wis. – The Willmar Stingers (10-16) lost 10-3 against the Eau Claire Express (13-12) at Carson Park. This is the third game in a row the Stingers have dropped.
The Stingers took an early 2-0 lead in the first after Esteban Sepulveda picked up his first RBI in a Stinger uniform to bring home Kyle Panganiban. Another run was later walked in with the bases loaded. Sepulveda was later named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game who produced his first multi-hit game with Willmar.
All nine Express batters stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the first and produced a big inning. Two runs scored from a walk and hit by pitch with the bases loaded to tie the game at two. Then, the highlight of the inning came from a Sean Cody grand slam to move Eau Claire ahead 6-2.
Stinger’s starter, Trey Zaffiro was pulled after the one inning, allowing six earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts. Eli Kokenge entered the action in his place.
Eau Claire starter, Jaden Kogutkiewicz also was removed following one inning where he allowed two runs, on one hit, walked three and had three strikeouts. He was replaced by Jackson Niederwerder.
Hollon Brock and Cade Palkowski both added runs batted in to make the score 8-2 Express after two innings.
Two Stingers errors in the bottom of the fourth allowed two unearned runs to score for the Express who extended their lead to 10-2.
In the 7th, Luke Devine was retired on an RBI groundout to make the score 10-3. This is the third consecutive game the outfielder from Santa Clara has recorded a run batted in.
Zaffiro was charged with the loss, and the win went to Niederwerder who went seven innings, allowed three hits, walked two and sent down twelve on strikes.
The final score was 10-3 Express. The same two teams will matchup tomorrow afternoon with first pitch at 2:05 p.m. from Carson Park.
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.