WILLMAR, Minn. – Mitch Rowan’s solo home run in the fifth inning marked the Stingers’ only RBI in a game where Waterloo took control early and cruised to a 10-2 victory at Bill Taunton Stadium Thursday night.

Waterloo scored four runs on two extra-base hits in the first inning to take the lead, which they would never relinquish, before Willmar even had a chance to bat. Riley Good ripped a double to right-center field on the very first pitch of the game. He scored three batters later on a double steal when Benny Roberts stole second base and Good came home on the throw. Jordan Adams capped off the inning with a three-run homer to left-center to give the Bucks a 4-0 lead.

The Bucks added four more runs in the fifth thanks to three hits and a throwing error to take a commanding 8-0 advantage and knock the Stingers’ starter Jonathon Flinn (Hawaii) out of the ballgame. Flinn lasted four-plus innings, surrendering eight runs on six hits and four walks.

Aside from Rowan’s (San Francisco) opposite-field home run, the Stingers only other run came courtesy of back-to-back errors committed by the Bucks in the seventh. Jordan Foley earned his second victory against the Stingers in as many starts, going five innings and allowing one run on four hits while striking out five. Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas), Max Kuhn (Kentucky) and Greg Fettes (Kentucky) had the other hits for Willmar in the contest.

The Stingers will try to win the series against the Bucks by taking the finale Friday night. It’s baseball cap giveaway night presented by Heritage Bank, and the first 300 fans will receive a Stingers baseball cap at the gate. First pitch is scheduled for 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.