BISMARCK, ND – After losing game one a night ago, the Stingers got back in the win column against the Bismarck Larks, winning 9-6.

The Willmar offense again got going in the first, scoring on a Max Buettenback (Nebraska) RBI single.

They tacked on 2 more in the 2nd, one on a RBI double from Rhett Stokes (Nebraska) and another one from Buettenback to make it 3-0.

The Larks got it back to 3-2, but a couple of wild pitches pushed the Willmar lead back out to 3 at 5-2. 

Buettenback added on to his night in the 6th, ripping an RBI double and coming around to score on a sacrifice fly, extending it to 7-2. In total, Buettenback went 4-5 with 3 RBIs and a walk.

The game got as close as 7-6, but a couple more Stinger runs and a solid outing from Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game Aidan Gonzalez (San Diego) closed out the game.

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.