WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers crushed the Bismarck Larks tonight, 27-2.

The Stingers made Northwoods League history tonight by winning a game by 25 runs. The previous record was held by the Mankato Moondogs when they beat a team by 23 runs in 2018. Willmar surpassed that margin tonight. Their 27 runs scored also equals the second most runs ever scored in a Northwoods League game.

The Stingers got started right away sending two bombs away in the bottom of the first. Will Hodo put the Stingers on the board with a three-run bomb to right field and Josh Fitzgerald had a two-run blast later in the inning.

Willmar would score five more runs in the bottom of the second jumping out to a 10-0 lead. Highlights of the inning included a two-run home run from Drey Dirksen and a double from Fitzgerald.

The next inning would include Will Safford hitting his first home run of the season. Fitzgerald would go on to be the MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game. He would finish the game going 4-5 with two doubles and a home run. His three RBIs were the highest amount he has totaled in a single game.

The win would go to Jack Habeck as his record moves to 8-0 on the year. Habeck continues to lead the Northwoods League in wins while holding one of the best ERAs across the league at 1.76. He pitched six innings tonight only giving up two runs while striking out three.

The Stingers will be gone for three days on the road to La Crosse and they get ready to face the Loggers. The first pitch is scheduled to take place at 6:35 p.m.