{"id":21163,"date":"2026-07-24T22:44:55","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T03:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/willmar-stingers\/?p=21163"},"modified":"2026-07-24T22:44:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T03:44:55","slug":"stingers-fall-to-rox-in-series-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northwoodsleague.com\/willmar-stingers\/2026\/07\/24\/stingers-fall-to-rox-in-series-opener\/","title":{"rendered":"Stingers Fall to Rox in Series Opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

St. Cloud, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers dropped their third straight game in an 8-4 loss Friday night to the St. Cloud Rox at Joe Faber Field.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Stingers (30-26, 14-6) took an early 1-0 lead with a two-out rally in the opening frame. Merrick Rapoza doubled to center field and stole a base before scoring to put the first run of the night on the board.<\/p>\n

St. Cloud (35-21, 11-9) responded to tie the game up in the bottom of the second as Brett White led off the frame with a double and came home two batters later on a Brett Griffiths sacrifice fly, 1-1.<\/p>\n

The Rox took the lead the next inning with a pair of runs. Aidan Mouton crossed the plate to put the hosts ahead, then Jaixen Frost brought in Colton Rother later in the half on a double.<\/p>\n

Owen Estabrook continued the scoring streak with another run in the bottom of the fourth, plating Griffiths on an infield single to extend St. Cloud’s lead to three.<\/p>\n

David Hagen allowed four runs across his four innings of work for Willmar, surrendering six hits and punching out six batters.<\/p>\n

The Stingers cut their deficit to one in the top of the sixth inning. Luke DeVine tripled to right field before coming around on an RBI single by Rapoza, who scored four batters later on a wild pitch.<\/p>\n

But the Rox added on four more in the bottom of the inning to take an 8-3 advantage. Jackson Akin singled in the first run of the frame before another three runners crossed home on a walk, a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch.<\/p>\n

Willmar responded with a run the next half. Paris Pridgen hit a double to left field and advanced on a single by DeVine before Rapoza notched his second RBI of the night, 8-4.<\/p>\n

The Stingers couldn’t draw any closer, though, and fell to St. Cloud in the series opener.<\/p>\n

Merrick Rapoza was named the Les Schwab Tires Player of the Game after a 2-for-4 performance that featured a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored.<\/p>\n

The two-game series now heads to Willmar, where the Stingers face the Rox Saturday on a Fireworks Night presented by WM. First pitch at Bill Taunton Stadium is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with fireworks following the series finale.<\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

About the Willmar Stingers:
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n

For more information about the Willmar Stingers, visit willmarstingers.com or contact the front office (320)222-2010 or info@willmarstingers.com<\/p>\n

##<\/p>\n

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\u2019 33rd<\/sup>\u00a0season, 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.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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