ST. CLOUD, MN.- While the opening game of a two-game series proved to be low-scoring, that would not be the case on Friday as the Willmar Stingers won 13-9 against the St. Cloud Rox.
The runs came in bunches with it all starting in the third inning for the Stingers on one swing of the bat from MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game Dallas Duarte.
Duarte launched his first home run of the season in the form of a grand slam to provide the Stingers with an early 4-0 lead.
That lead would be doubled an inning later as Kevin Fitzer singled to bring in one and a bases-loaded walk added on to bring Duarte back up with the bases loaded.
Duarte capitalized on the opportunity with a single to bring in two more and put the Stingers up 8-0.
The lead wouldn’t last long however as the Rox rallied for five runs in the fifth inning to knock Stingers starter Aiden Hansen out of the game.
St. Cloud would then take the lead an inning later with the big blow coming with a single from Haiden Hunt to help bring in the go-ahead run.
The Stingers were able to battle back in the seventh however as Luke Williams doubled to tie the game back up and he would be brought in with a single from Jack Hines to take the lead.
Now looking for insurance runs, Fitzer homered later in the inning for his ninth of the season to bring three more Stingers home.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Aaron Ragat pitched the final two innings for the Stingers and didn’t allow a run to secure the 13-9 victory.
The Stingers swept the Rox for the first time this season and will now return home to host the Thunder Bay Border Cats for the first time 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.
##
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.
