Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers (16-19) picked up a 4-3 victory over the Mankato Moondogs (14-19) at Bill Taunton Stadium on Sunday Night. Seven stolen bases for the Stingers and Fifteen runners left on base for the MoonDogs help tell the story.
The first two innings were scoreless for Riley Hasenstab for the Stingers and Krish Gandhi of the MoonDogs. Then, in the top of the third Andrew Purdy hit a sac-fly to left to move the visitors ahead 1-0.
The Stingers would awaken the beehive with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take their first lead of the contest. Kai Gonzaga, Luke Devine, Kyle Panganiban, and Max Buettenback would combine for six stolen bases in the inning. Panganiban and Rapoza recorded the RBI hits in the frame to jump in front 3-1.
Each team would blast a solo shot in the fourth with Charlie Buckles of the MoonDogs hitting his to Right and Esteban Sepulveda for the Stingers sending his homer to Left. 4-2 stayed the score until the ninth inning.
Hasenstab picked up his second win of the season by finishing five innings, allowing ten hits, two earned runs, walked two and struck out seven. Gandhi was charged with the loss after his outing of four innings, three hits, three runs (two earned), three walks and three punchouts. The Mankato lefthander was replaced by Kaeden Guida.
Gannon Reidinger got the ball in relief and posted three scoreless innings before running into trouble in the ninth. With the bases loaded and one out, he was pulled for David Hagen who was making his first appearance in a Stingers Uniform. A run would score on a wild pitch to make it a one-run ball game but the righthander from West Virginia closed the door with two strikeouts to record the save and complete Willmar’s 4-3 win.
Kyle Panganiban was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the game after picking up two RBI, one hit, and a stolen base.
The Stingers will go for the season series win over the MoonDogs in their twelfth and final meeting of the regular season tomorrow night at ISG Field in Mankato with first pitch 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.