WILLMAR, MN – After a 5-1 road trip, the Stingers returned home and kept the hot streak rolling, taking down the St. Cloud Rox 10-3.
It was all Stingers right from the jump, as Nico Senese (Georgia Southern) got them on the board in the 2nd with a 2-RBI double.
The scoring continued in the 2nd, as Aidan Byrne (Minnesota State-Mankato) served the next pitch into left field, scoring Senese and extending the lead to 3-0.
After a fielder’s choice scored Byrne making it 4-0, Max Buettenback (Nebraska) blasted his 5th home run of the season, a 2-run shot, pushing the lead to six.
That is all the lead the Stingers pitching staff would need as the trio of Ryan Wentz (CSUN), Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Brett Barfield (Georgia Tech) and Aidan Gonzalez (San Diego) combined to give up just three runs on five hits.
Willmar added two more each in the 6th and the 8th to make it 10-3, capped off by a 2-run double courtesy of Gabe Swansen (Nebraska).
The same two teams wrap up their series Saturday night at Bill Taunton Stadium with first pitch at 6:35 pm.
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.
