
Stingers Close Regular Season with 10th Consecutive Victory, Eek Out 4-2 Win Over Express
August 12, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Willmar Stingers News Release
EAU CLAIRE, WI.- The Willmar Stingers remained hot headed into the postseason with a 4-2 win over the Eau Claire Express on Saturday.
Kevin Fitzer was the first to get the Stingers on the board and did so in a big way.
Fitzer crushed his 15th homer of the season to finish the regular season tied for the league lead in that category.
That homer put the Stingers up 2-0 and Aidan Byrne added another via a fielder's choice.
Eau Claire fought back in the bottom half of the inning with a fielder's choice and an RBI single from Marcus Cline to bring the Express within one.
After that inning, MinnWest Technology Campus Player of the Game and Hemponix Relief Pitcher of the Game J.D Hennen entered the game and shut down the Express.
Hennen tossed six shutout innings as he allowed just one hit and struck out five batters.
The Stingers added an insurance run in the fifth with a Drey Dirksen single to bring one home.
After that, both sides would come up empty as the Stingers picked up a 4-2 win for win No. 10 in a row.
The Stingers will begin postseason play on Sunday as they begin a best-of-three series against the St. Cloud Rox in the first round.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
Northwoods League Stories from August 12, 2023
- Rockers Fall to Rafters to Close Out Regular Season - Green Bay Rockers
- Dogs Win Finale - Mankato MoonDogs
- Express Finish Regular Season on a Loss - Eau Claire Express
- Stingers Close Regular Season with 10th Consecutive Victory, Eek Out 4-2 Win Over Express - Willmar Stingers
- Rox Fall in Season Finale to Mud Puppies, Start Playoffs Sunday - St. Cloud Rox
- Battle Jacks Say Farewell to the McCU Faithful, Fall in Final Game of the Northwoods League Season to Jackrabbits 8-2 - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Spitters Fall to Rivets, 9-1 - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Madison Wins Finale in Front of Sellout Crowd - Madison Mallards
- Lakeshore Falls in Their Last Game of the Season - Lakeshore Chinooks
- Wausau Loses 7-6 to Madison to End 30th Season - Wausau Woodchucks
- Growlers Fall in Penultimate Game of Regular Season - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Rafters Fall to Green Bay in Longest Game of the Summer - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Gross & McElyea Named to Northwoods League Postseason All-Star Team - St. Cloud Rox
- Rockers Conclude Regular Season against Rafters - Green Bay Rockers
- Madison Clinches Second-Half with Win After Thunderstorm Delay - Madison Mallards
- Rockers Win Third-Longest Game in Northwoods League History Over Rafters - Green Bay Rockers
- Battle Jacks Handle Jackrabbits 7-4, Aloisio and Conklin Energize the McCU Field Faithful - Battle Creek Battle Jacks
- Kingfish Prevail 9-6 Behind Explosive 3rd Inning - Kenosha Kingfish
- Bismarck Takes Opener of Final Dakota Dust-up Series - Bismarck Larks
- Express Lose Late Game to Stingers - Eau Claire Express
- Cal-State Northridge Duo Has Statement Game, Freddy Smith Picks up Win No. 100 in 7-2 Trouncing Over Express - Willmar Stingers
- Growlers Clinch Playoff Birth With Win Over Battle Creek - Kalamazoo Growlers
- Dock Spiders Walk-off Chinooks 8-7 In Wild Fashion - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
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