Minot, N.D. – The Willmar Stingers began their final road trip of the regular season with an 11-3 win Saturday night over the Minot Hot Tots at Corbett Field.

Minot (24-39, 11-16) took the early lead. Connor Dietsch reached base on a single before coming all the way around on a Joe DuSell triple to right field in the bottom of the second inning, 1-0.

The Stingers (35-28, 19-8) put their first runs on the board in the top of the fourth.

Landon Lowe led off the frame with a solo blast to left field, followed the next at-bat by a Matthew Bernath triple. Max Buettenback plated Bernath on a single to right field, making it 2-1.

Dietsch delivered the Hot Tots’ response in the bottom half of the inning, knotting the score with a solo home run to left.

Minot followed that up with another run in the fifth inning to retake the lead. Austyn Peak tripled to center field with one out and scored the next at-bat on a groundout to make it 3-2.

Riley Hasenstab went five innings in his start for the Stingers, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and striking out five batters.

Lowe kickstarted the Stingers’ offense again the next frame, launching his second leadoff home run of the night to left field. Jehee Lee and Buettenback both reached base on walks later in the half, then Lee came around on a wild pitch before Paris Pridgen brought in Buettenback on a single to extend the lead to 5-3.

Willmar added on more insurance in the seventh as David Estrada slammed the team’s third solo shot of the night, this time out to right field.

Landon Sloan picked up where Hasenstab left off, punching out three batters across two scoreless frames out of the bullpen.

The Stingers reached double digits on the board with a four-run eighth inning. Buettenback and Keaton Cottam started the half with consecutive walks before Pridgen singled and Buettenback came home on an error during the play.

Estrada plated Cottam on a productive groundout, followed by a Rapoza single that allowed Pridgen to cross. Lowe capped the scoring in the frame with his third RBI of the night, 10-3.

Willmar tacked on its final run in the ninth inning on another productive out, allowing Lee to score after he reached on a leadoff walk.

James Nichols sealed the series opening win with a scoreless bottom of the ninth, striking out a pair of batters and cutting the Stingers’ magic number to clinch the division title to just four.

Landon Lowe was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game after a 2-for-5 performance that featured a pair of home runs and three RBI.

Freddy Smith’s squad goes for the series sweep of the Hot Tots Sunday. First pitch at Corbett Field is scheduled for 1:05 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’ 33^rd 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.