Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers completed their second consecutive series sweep with an 8-5 win Wednesday night over the Minot Hot Tots at Bill Taunton Stadium.
The Stingers (25-22, 9-2) seized an early lead with the help of Paris Pridgen, who led off the bottom of the first with a single and advanced 180 feet on an errant pickoff attempt before coming home on a Kai Gonzaga sacrifice fly to make it 1-0.
Minot (18-30, 5-7) responded with a pair of runs the next inning. Connor Dietsch plated Adrian Dominguez and Kole Dudding on a double down the right field line, putting the visitors up 2-1.
Willmar evened the score in the bottom of the fourth on a Matthew Bernath single through the left side to bring in David Estrada, who reached on a hit-by-pitch.
Estrada put the Stingers ahead their next turn at the plate, knocking home Kai Gonzaga on a single into center field and advancing to second base after an error on the throw to the plate. He scored three batters later when Bernath was plunked by a pitch, making it 4-2.
Willmar broke open a comfortable lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with a four-run frame. Brecken Menuet was the first runner to cross in the inning, coming across on a Gonzaga single, before Pridgen followed the next at-bat on a delayed double steal that allowed him to score.
Jehee Lee brought around the final two runs of the half on a line drive double into the left-center gap, extending the lead to six.
Brandon Mikos silenced the Hot Tots’ bats for most of his seven innings on the mound, allowing just two runs and punching out four batters. His quality start made him the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game.
Minot made a late offensive push, cutting into its deficit with three runs in the top of the eighth. Isaac Huettl led off the half with a double, then four walks and a passed ball allowed the Hot Tots to make it a three-run game.
But Max Gast shut the door with a scoreless ninth featuring a pair of punchouts, sealing the sweep with an 8-5 final.
The Stingers look to continue their second half surge Thursday night, when they face the Bismarck Larks on Community All-Stars Night presented by Coordinated Business Systems. 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.