WILLMAR, Minn. – Seven straight batters reached base to begin a six-run third inning for the Stingers in a game they eventually went on to win against St. Cloud, 7-5, in 4-1/2 innings due to weather.

In his first at-bat as a Willmar Stinger, Matt Jackson (Washington) hit a solo home run to left to lead off the third, giving the Stingers a 2-0 lead. After Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas) was hit by a pitch and Mitch Rowan (San Francisco) walked, Hunter Dozier (Stephen F. Austin) hit an RBI double to right-center field. Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast) followed with a base hit for his league-leading 21st RBI of the year, and Kenny Roberts (Alabama) also added an RBI single to make it a 5-0 contest. The final two runs came across on an RBI groundout by Zach Benson (Stephen F. Austin) and a sacrifice fly by JD Dorgan (St. Thomas).

St. Cloud scored four runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth to pull within two, but around 7:50 p.m., tornado sirens went off in the Willmar area. Because the game had gone 4-1/2 innings and the home team was ahead, the contest was declared an official game and the Stingers improved to above .500 for the first time in 2012.

Andrew Pulido earned his second victory of the season, tossing all five innings and striking out two.

Willmar is now 10-9 on the season and winners of seven of its last 10. The Stingers will face the Rox for the first of three games in St. Cloud Monday night at 7:05 p.m.

The 2012 season is presented by Charter. For more information on your Willmar Stingers be sure to visit the West Central Tribune at www.wctrib.com.