WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers were able to sweep their first series of the season against the Mud Puppies tonight.

The Stingers scored nine runs in back-t0-back games as they won tonight’s game 9-4.

Willmar started off the game hot as four runs crossed home plate in the top of the first. Sam Daly got the scoring started as he hit an RBI-single sending Aidan Byrne home. Daly now has a three-game multi-RBI streak that started at Duluth.

Two at-bats later, Nick Terrell sent home two runners with a single and a Lincoln Orellana scored another to cap the inning.

One inning later, Elias Stevens continued to prove that he is THAT guy. After the Mud Puppies scored two in the top of the second, He hit a two-run blast sending home Drey Dirksen to go up 6-2.

Stevens increased his lead at the top of the Northwoods League in home runs as he has five on the year. Stevens also leads the league in slugging percentage (.933 SLG%), and on-base plus slugging (1.447 OPS). He was named the MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game for the third time this year.

Matt Wilkinson was awarded the win after coming in at the top of the third for starting pitcher Tucker Novotny. He threw 3.2 innings, striking out four, and letting one run cross the plate.

Wilkinson’s one run came in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded on two outs. Dylan Matela replaced him for Matela’s second appearance on the season and got the out to end the inning. Matela finished the game pitching 2.1 innings, striking out four, and giving up one home run to Minnesota’s Sterling Sutcliffe.

The Stingers were able to score three more runs in the bottom of the eight as Stevens, Daly, and Will Hodo all picked up RBIs. Logan Samuels came in the bottom of the ninth to finish the game.

Willmar moves to 3-5 on the year as they prepare to face off against the 2-6 La Crosse Loggers on Wednesday.