Waterloo, Iowa — Willmar Stingers (7-9) manager Freddy Smith recorded his 150th career regular season win in the Stingers’ 14-13 extra innings road win over the Waterloo Bucks (6-9).
Smith became the 24th manager in Northwoods League history to reach the 150 win mark and is now 10 victories away from tying former Stingers manager Matt Hollod for the franchise record.
Max Buettenback gave Willmar the early lead, smashing a solo home run to right field in the top of the first. The longball came in Buettenback’s first at-bat of the season, marking a hot start to his third year in a Stingers uniform.
The visitors added three more runs in the second inning when Kai Gonzaga recorded his first home run of the season on a flyball to right, making it a 4-0 ballgame.
Righthander Jamie Vicens out of Georgia Tech went two scoreless innings in his Willmar debut, allowing one hit and one walk while punching out four batters.
The Stingers put another crooked number on the board in the top of the third. Noah Massey brought home Merrick Rapoza on an infield single with two outs to put the team ahead 6-0.
Waterloo responded with five unanswered runs across the third and fourth innings, cutting its deficit to one.
MJ Sweeney and Nico Newhan each plated a run in the bottom of the third on extra base hits and the Bucks added three more the next inning, all of them unearned.
Willmar took back the momentum with another two runs in the top of the fifth. Kyler Proctor notched his first hit as a Stinger in a crucial moment, scoring Kyle Panganiban and David Estrada on a double to left field and making it 8-5.
They continued the offensive onslaught the next inning. Buettenback tallied another run batted in when he singled home Brooks Wright, the first of four consecutive hits by Willmar batters.
Jayton Greer followed up Buettenback’s base knock with a double to right field before Rapoza and Panganiban plated one run each on singles, and the Stingers held a 13-5 advantage by the end of the frame.
Chaz McRoberts made his season debut in relief during the middle innings. The righthander out of the University of San Diego notched two scoreless frames and struck out three Bucks.
But Waterloo made a late charge to tie the game and force extras with eight unanswered runs over the final three innings of regulation.
Sweeney started the rally with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the seventh, the first of three runs during the frame, and tacked on his third RBI of the night with a single to right the next inning.
Command struggles struck the Willmar bullpen late. Two more runs crossed on walks in the eighth inning and Caleb Seibers’ sacrifice fly made it a one-run ballgame, then Colin Coonraadt advanced two bases on a wild pitch to even the score in the bottom of the ninth after reaching base on a leadoff walk.
The Stingers retook the lead in the top of the tenth as Proctor, who began the inning at second base, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Massey and scored on a groundout by Wright.
Trey Zaffiro slammed the door shut in the bottom half, retiring the hosts in order and sealing the 14-13 win for Willmar in 10 innings.
Buettenback was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game after going 2-for-5 with a home run and three runs batted in.
The Stingers will go for the series sweep tomorrow in Waterloo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Visit willmarstingers.com or call 320-222-2010 to reserve your seats today. The 2026 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
About the Willmar Stingers:
The Willmar Stingers are a member of the Northwoods League, the premier summer collegiate baseball league in North America. The Stingers provide affordable, family-friendly entertainment while showcasing the top college baseball talent from across the country.
For more information about the Willmar Stingers, visit willmarstingers.com or contact the front office (320)222-2010 or info@willmarstingers.com
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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 entering its’ 33rd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history 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, nearly 2400 NWL alums have been drafted and over 415 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion and Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (BAL) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove, two-time Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM). League games are viewable live on FloSports.tv.