Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers fell 7-3 to the St. Cloud Rox Sunday night in game one of their Great Plains West sub-divisional series at Bill Taunton Stadium.
The Rox (43-27) seized the early upper hand on a pair of productive outs. Colton Rother recorded a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded before Brett Griffiths brought in another run on a groundout to make it 2-0 in the game’s opening frame.
St. Cloud tacked on two more in the top of the third. Rother notched his second RBI of the night on another sac fly, then Griffiths singled home Tanner Recchio to extend the visitors’ advantage to four.
Riley Hasenstab went 3.1 innings in his start for the Stingers, allowing four earned runs on one hit and five walks while striking out one batter.
Willmar (37-34) got on the board with a run in the bottom of the third. A pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases for Merrick Rapoza, who plated Kai Gonzaga on a base knock to right field.
David Estrada cut the team’s deficit to bloop and a blast territory the next inning with a groundout that allowed Matthew Bernath to come across, 4-2.
The Rox offense came back to life in the late innings with another pair of runs in the seventh. Rother collected his third run batted in on a single before Griffiths smashed a double into center field, scoring Rother to make it 6-2.
Estrada delivered the Stingers’ response in the bottom half, bringing around Paris Pridgen after he led off the frame with an infield single.
St. Cloud put up an insurance run in the top of the ninth to build back its lead, though, as Tanner Recchio got under the tag of Esteban Sepulveda on a close play at the plate following a groundball from Rother.
J.R. Tollett sealed the win for the Rox in the bottom of the ninth, 7-3.
Kai Gonzaga was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game after going 4-for-5 with a run scored.
The series now heads up to St. Cloud for game two Monday night, where the Stingers need a win to avoid elimination. First pitch at Joe Faber 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
##
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.