Eikmeier's Late Heroics Lifts Stingers to 12-11 Win

Willmar starter, Brady Nelson completed three no-hit innings but ran into trouble in the fourth. 13 batters would come to the plate and with the first seven reaching base safely. Eight runs would come across to score in the frame that included five walks and five hits. The first score came from Micah McCoy drawing a base on balls with the bases loaded.

Brady Nelson was replaced in the inning for Cole Spitzer. Nelson’s final numbers were three innings plus, one hits, four walks, four earned runs, walked six, and struckout three.

Willmar cut into the lead in the bottom half with Kai Gonzaga and Kobe Eikmeier both recording an RBI to make it 8-6. Then in the top of the fifth, Alex Altmann smoked a two-run double to increase the Hot Tots lead to 10-6.

The Stingers would score two runs in each of their last three innings at the plate. Eikmeier score on a wild pitch and Paris Pridgen would cross home off a David Estrada single. The game became tied at 10 in the seventh after Lee hit an infield single and Estrada walked with the bases loaded.

Minot retook the lead in the eighth as Kole Dudding produced a go-ahead double to score Micah McCoy. It was Dudding’s second RBI of the night and he was one nine different Hot Tots to drive in a run for the game.

It appeared the Hot Tots may have landed the knockout punch but there was more late game magic in store for the Stingers. Kobe Eikmeier blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to move the Stingers ahead 12-11. The infielder who will be playing at the University of Minnesota next year could not have picked a bigger moment to connect for his first long ball for Willmar in 2026. He was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game.

Luke Kalfsbeek ended the game on the mound and picked up his first win of the season. Minot’s Clayton Stewart would be charged with the loss.

The same two teams will be back in action tomorrow night at Bill Taunton Stadium for Team Trading Card Night. The first 250 fans will receive Stingers trading cards and 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

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’ 33^rd 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.