Stingers Sting Larks Early, Take Series Opener
August 3, 2023 - Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Bismarck Larks News Release
After seeing its first-ever All-Star Game on Tuesday night, baseball returned to normal capacity on Thursday night, in which the Bismarck Larks hosted the Willmar Stingers for the opener of a two-game series. Bismarck would fall behind early and drop the contest by a final score of 8-2.
The Stingers struck first in the first. Drey Dirksen (Agustana) got the scoring started with an RBI infield hit, and then later in the inning, Sean Rimmer (Hawaii) drove in another run with a walk. It was 2-0 after one frame.
Although the Larks would threaten in the second, they would leave the bases loaded, and the Stingers would take advantage in the next half inning. Kristopher Hokenson (Minnesota) blasted a three-run homer to make it 5-0.
After a quiet couple of innings, Willmar would get back on the board with a run in the fifth, and then score once more in the sixth on a Dallas Duarte (Hawaii) RBI knock. After six innings, it was 7-0.
Both teams would score in the eighth, with Willmar putting up a run on an RBI groundout, and The Larks' Aaron Biediger (Richland) getting the yellow birds on the board for the first time all night with a two-run single. Biediger would finish with three hits.
The Larks loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the ballgame. The third double play the Larks would ground into would be the nail in the coffin, as Bismarck fell to Willmar 8-2.
On the mound, Willmar left-hander Ethan Stade (Minnesota State Mankato) got the win, tossing six brilliant innings of shutout baseball. Bismarck's Murphy Bostick (Grayson) picked up his second loss of the season after throwing over 35 pitches and giving up two in the first. The Metro Area Fastest Pitch of the Game was thrown by Larks reliever Justin Goldstein (Middle Tennessee State). He hit 91 mph in the eighth inning.
The Fetzer Electric Play of the Game also came from Goldstein in that same frame. Goldstein made an incredible between-the-legs play to rob Willmar's Stone Miayo (Hawaii) of a base hit.
The Larks will return to Bismarck Municipal Ballpark for the series finale against the Stingers tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. CT. Willmar is currently 6-1 against Bismarck this summer. Tomorrow is also the final Firework Friday of the summer. The atmosphere is going to be electric at Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field, with post-game fireworks brought to you by Fetzer Electric.
Northwoods League Stories from August 3, 2023
- Thursday Night's Game Between Rockers and Chinooks Suspended Until Friday - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Walk It off in Dramatic Fashion, Slide into 1st Place - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Stingers Dominate In First Game Following All-Star Break With 8-2 Win Over Larks - Willmar Stingers
- Dogs Get by Tots - Mankato MoonDogs
- Rox Roll Over Loggers With 10-3 Win - St. Cloud Rox
- Wausau's 14-Runs Leads to Win Over Madison - Wausau Woodchucks
- Growlers Take Game One - Traverse City Pit Spitters
- Stingers Sting Larks Early, Take Series Opener - Bismarck Larks
- Wausau Scores 14 Unanswered, Snaps Their Nine-Game Skid - Madison Mallards
- Loggers Lose 10-3 at Home for the First Time in the Second Half - La Crosse Loggers
- Adam Juran Named Northwoods League Player of the Night - Rockford Rivets
- Rockers Begin Four Game Series against Lakeshore - Green Bay Rockers
- Rafters Defeat Wausau on the Road, Win Fourth Straight Game - Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Dock Spiders Get Revenge, Smash Rockers 10-3 - Fond du Lac Dock Spiders
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