SAINT CLOUD, MN – The Willmar Stingers found themselves back in the win column again on Tuesday night over the St. Cloud Rox, this time 6-5 the final.
The Stingers got out to a 4-0 lead through 5 innings, highlighted by an RBI groundout from Brayden Jacobson (St Cloud St) and an RBI double off the bat of Derek Lopez (Florida Gulf Coast).
Then they added on in the 6th, making it 5-0 thanks to another RBI courtesy of Lopez, this time a single which was a part of his 4-4 night with two doubles.
Just like Monday night, the Stingers got a real good start on the mound as Ian Koosman (Paradise Valley CC) went 5+ innings, allowing just one run on one hit and striking out six.
Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Will Henry (Augustana) came on in relief and went 2 innings, scattering four hits and allowing just one run.
The Rox made things interesting in the 8th, as they scored a run to make it 5-3.
But an RBI single from Max Buettenback (Nebraska) added an insurance run in the 9th to match them and push it back to 6-3.
Again the Rox threatened to tie the game in the ninth, tallying two runs and getting the tying run to second.
But Will Eldridge (Indiana Wesleyan) slammed the door shut with a strikeout to end the ballgame.
The series moves to Willmar tomorrow for the final game of the 4-game set, with first pitch being at 6:35 pm at Bill Taunton Stadium.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com. The 2024 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. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world 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, over 350 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 (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team 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.
