WILLMAR, MN.- In a game which saw heavy rain towards the end, it was the Eau Claire Express who weathered the storm against the Willmar Stingers with an 8-7 victory on Friday.
The game started out in the Stingers favor however with an impressive four-run first inning against Express starter Lance Lauve.
MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Stone Miyao had the big hit in the frame with a double to score two of those runs.
The Express would spend the next two innings chipping away at the lead with a Bronson Rivera triple helping to kickstart a three-run second inning and the game would be tied with a Temo Becerra double an inning later.
A fielder’s choice off the bat of DJ Massey would give the Express a 5-4 lead in the fourth as the Stingers were now playing from behind for the first time in the game.
Willmar wouldn’t take long to tie the game right back in the fifth as Graysen Tarlow smashed his third homer of the summer and first at Bill Taunton Stadium.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Ethan Stade helped keep the game tied from there during his three and two thirds innings of work.
Stade didn’t allow a hit during that span in his Stingers’ debut.
The Stingers would take the lead after Stade’s last inning of work as Miyao roped his second double of the game to bring home Drey Dirksen and put the Stingers up 6-5.
Eau Claire would again answer back in the next half inning however as Rivera put a ball in play to score the game tying run off a fielder’s choice.
Despite having a runner on at third in the ninth, the Stingers were unable to bring him in and the game was headed to extras.
After the first Express run came home on a wild pitch, a Cole Conn single would prove to be the difference maker putting Eau Claire up by two.
Aidan Bryne’s sacrifice fly cut the deficit in half but the Stingers came up empty the rest of the way.
The Stingers dropped consecutive games for the first time this summer with the loss and will now travel to Mankato for a two-game set against the MoonDogs.
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.
