Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers (27-23) won 11-4 at home against the Waterloo Bucks (23-26) to take the opening matchup of the series. All nine hitters in the Willmar starting lineup recorded a base hit.
Waterloo struck first after Larry Edwards led off the game with a double and quickly stole third. The attempted throw to third sailed into left field, allowing Edwards to score easily.
The home sqaud would take the lead in the second after Esteban Sepulveda sent a deep shot into left center field to score Merrick Rapoza and Kobe Eikmeier. Sepulveda would later score off a single from Brecken Menuet to move Willmar ahead 3-1. Waterloo starter, Jack Walsh was pulled after one and two-thirds innings, two hits, allowing three earned runs, four walks, and three strikeouts.
In the third, Mitchell Iliff and George Baker V both picked up an RBI in to tie the game at three. The next half inning, Willmar added one run with a bases loaded walk to reclaim the lead.
The Bucks answered to tie the game at four in the fifth inning after MJ Sweeney came home from Baker V reaching on a fielder choice. Stingers starter, Kyle Bade completed four innings, allowed six hits, three earned runs, and struck out four. He was replaced by Braden Cork who threw three scoreless frames.
The home half of the fifth was the main story of this contest because the Stingers brought eleven batters to the plate and scored six runs. After an Eikmeier RBI single, Sepulveda hit his first triple of the season to send home Eikmeier. Kai Gonzaga lined a single to right to plate Brecken Menuet. David Estrada would cap off the scoring with a three blast to right field. Estrada’s third home run of the season made the score 10-4.
Willmar added one more in the seventh and won 11-4. The loss was charged to Waterloo’s Walsh and Willmar’s Cork was the winning pitcher.
Esteban Sepulveda was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game for Willmar after going 2-for-4 with a double, triple, and four runs driven in.
The Stingers look to win their fifth game of this six game homestand against the Bucks tomorrow. It will be Faith and Family Night presented by Living Hope Church, and first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 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.