ROCHESTER, Minn. – Eduardo Gonzalez (Alcorn State) belted a three-run homer to left field with two outs in the second inning to give the Stingers a 4-1 lead, which Willmar never relinquished en route to a 6-2 victory over Rochester Wednesday night at Mayo Field in Rochester, Minn.

Gonzalez finished the game 2-for-5, while Pat Stover (Santa Clara) hit an opposite field solo homer in the eighth as part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Sean Dwyer added two separate RBI singles in the game, and Jason Leblebijian went 2-for-4 and scored three runs in the contest.

Michael Shreves (Montevallo) pitched five innings in relief of the starter Thomas Taylor to get the victory, allowing only one unearned run on five hits while striking out six. Kurt Spomer earned his team-leading sixth save of the season after striking out three and not allowing a run in the final three innings of the game. Thomas Taylor (Kansas) only went one inning in his start and allowed one unearned run while striking out two.

The Stingers will play at home Thursday night against Mankato in \”Jerseys Off Our Back Night\” presented by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Fans will be able to bid on the Stingers players’ jerseys during Thursday night’s game with the proceeds going to the Willmar Lakes Area Food Shelf. Fans are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the ballpark for the food shelf. 

The 2011 season is presented by Charter.