Ryan Dalager earned his first victory of the season as the Willmar Stingers downed the Minot Hot Tots 6‑2 on Tuesday night. The right‑hander tossed 5‑1/3 innings, striking out seven batters while allowing just two runs, a performance that marked a clear improvement over his previous start.
Stinglers’ offense fuels the victory
The Stingers’ top batters, Paris Pridgen and Kai Gonzaga, powered the attack. Pridgen finished 2‑for‑5 with three runs scored and a stolen base, while Gonzaga went 3‑for‑4 with an RBI and a pair of stolen bases, underscoring their pivotal roles in the lineup.
Supporting contributions came from David Estrada, who added a hit and two RBIs, and Kyler Proctor, who went 2‑for‑4. Alex Altmann, the Hot Tots’ leading hitter, managed a 3‑for‑4 effort with a double and an RBI, but the stingers’ depth proved decisive.
With the win, Willmar improves to 17‑7 in the second half and stays atop the Great Plains West Division, while Minot falls to 10‑13 and remains in last place. The two clubs will meet again on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. to complete the two‑game series.
The upcoming rematch offers the Stingers a chance to extend their lead, and fans can expect another high‑scoring affair as the team looks to maintain its momentum heading into the latter stretch of the season.