MANKATO–It was a tough way to kick off the second half of 2010, as the Stingers dropped a lopsided game to the Mankato Moondogs 9-2 at Franklin Rogers Park on Friday night.  In the third straight game between the two teams, Mankato dealt the Stingers their fourth sraight loss, dropping Willmar back to .500 on the year.

The 18-18 Stingers were buouyed on the night offensively by Jordan Smith who had two of the five Willmar hits on Friday.  Seth Spivack had the only Willmar RBI, as both Stinger runs were unearned.  The story of the game was Mankato righty Alex Blackford’s two-run, three hit, seven inning effort.  In his first start of the year, the Arizona State Sun Devil struck out seven Stinger batters to win his first game of 2010.

Next up for the Stingers, it’s another matchup with the Moondogs in Mankato, Saturday night at 7:05 pm.  For all your Stingers coverage, visit wctrib.com.  The 2010 season is presented by Charter.