Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers’ three game winning streak came to an end Thursday night in an 8-4 defeat to the Minnesota Mud Puppies at Bill Taunton Stadium.
Minnesota (8-21, 3-12) struck first with a run in the top of the second inning. Connor Larsen reached on a leadoff single and came home on a wild pitch three batters later, 1-0.
The Stingers (34-28, 18-8) responded to tie the game up the next half. Matthew Bernath led off the frame with a walk and advanced to third on a pair of stolen bases before scoring on a double steal.
Brayden Kohls put the Mud Puppies back ahead with an RBI single in the top of the third, then Max Pederson made it 3-1 the next inning on a solo shot to left field.
Willmar struck back again, taking the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a trio of runs.
The Stingers took advantage of three errors by the visitors during the frame, bringing their first two runs across on an error by Carter Sintek before Paris Pridgen made it 4-3 with a single up the middle.
David Hagen went four innings in his start for Willmar, allowing five hits and three earned runs with five strikeouts.
Minnesota scored five unanswered runs over the remainder of the contest, starting with one in the top of the fifth on a Larsen single to knot it up at 4-4.
The Mud Puppies added on a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings as rain fell late in the game.
Nolan Welke and Kohls notched back-to-back doubles into center field in the seventh, giving Minnesota a 6-4 lead. Sintek expanded the advantage to three the next inning with another double, then came across the next at-bat on a wild pitch.
Maddux Schrupp gave the Mud Puppies two scoreless innings to snap the Stingers’ winning streak at three games.
Paris Pridgen was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game after collecting a pair of runs batted in as part of a 1-for-4 performance.
Willmar’s magic number to clinch the Great Plains West second half title was cut to five, as the St. Cloud Rox lost to the La Crosse Loggers, 4-3.
The Stingers now head out for their final road trip of the regular season as they face the Minot Hot Tots in the first matchup of a two-game series Saturday. First pitch at Corbett Field 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.