WILLMAR, Minn. – Eduardo Gonzalez (Alcorn State) hit his first home run of the year to tie the game, 3-3, in the third inning, but the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers scored a run in each of the seventh and eighth innings to ultimately win the game, 5-3, at Bill Taunton Stadium Sunday evening.

The Stingers held an early lead, 2-0 after the first inning, after Gonzalez and Sean Dwyer (Florida Gulf Coast) each reached base with two outs in front of Pat Stover (Santa Clara). Stover then reached on an error by the shortstop that allowed both Gonzalez and Dwyer to score.

Brainerd came back with three runs on three hits in the third inning and forced Tanner Banks to leave the game because he exceeded the 35-pitch limit for one inning in the Northwoods League. Gonzalez tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a two-out home run to left field. However, an RBI double by Casey Roche broke the 3-3 tie in the seventh, and the Lunkers added an unearned run in the eighth to give the Stingers their third consecutive defeat.

Dwyer led the Stingers with three hits in the game, while Gonzalez finished 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Mitch Rowan (Willamette) added two hits in four at-bats.

Willmar will now travel to Brainerd for three-straight road games against the Lunkers, beginning with Monday night’s game at 7:05 p.m. The Stingers will return home Thursday night for “Once Upon a Time Night” featuring a variety of fairy tale princesses. The princesses will be on hand to throw out the first pitch and take photos with kids. Thursday night’s game will begin at 7:05 p.m.

The 2011 season is presented by Charter.