WILLMAR, MN.- After falling in an eleven inning thriller the prior game, the Willmar Stingers were able to defeat the St. Cloud Rox in another game that went down to the wire on Friday.

The Stingers found the scoreboard in the third inning as California State Northridge products Kevin Fitzer and Graysen Tarlow hit consecutive RBI singles to put Willmar up 2-0.

St. Cloud got one of those runs back in the next half inning when a single from John Nett drove in Ben Vujovich.

From there, both sides would be held off the scoreboard as MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Ryan Wiltse put up his best start of the summer for the Stingers.

Wiltse pitched five and two thirds innings where he only allowed one earned run and struck out four batters.

Cole Colleran came in and continued to keep the Rox off the scoreboard before the Stingers fate was handed to Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Rylen Bayne.

Bayne came in a save situation in the ninth and proceeded to strike out the side en route to a 2-1 Stingers victory.

The Stingers will now hit the road for the weekend for their first meeting with the Rochester Honkers this season.

For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.

The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.

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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 in its 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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, over 325 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 World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.