Willmar, Minn. — A four-run fifth inning proved to be the turning point Tuesday night at Bill Taunton Stadium, as Madison defeated Willmar for the first time this season, 8-2. 

In just his second start of the year for the Stingers (27-14), Tyler Heitmann allowed a first inning home run but then settled down over the next four innings. At one point, Heitmann had retired nine guys in a row from the second inning to the fifth inning.

But with one out in the fifth, Heitmann ran into some trouble and loaded the bases. Colton Boucher came out of the bullpen to try to get the Stingers out of the jam, but a two-run single by Anthony Gonsolin untied the game. A wild pitch and an RBI single by Jean Ramirez gave the Mallards a four-run cushion. 

The Stingers offense couldn't manage much the rest of the way, but did come back for a run in the eighth inning. Sean Beesley led the eighth off by reaching on an error and then stole second base, his 20th stolen base of the season in 20 attempts. Storm Wilson followed with an infield single to put runners on the corners, and two batters later Reagan Fowler singled Beesley home.

Madison got two runs back in the top of the ninth inning with two home runs to push its lead to 8-2. 

The loss for Willmar marks the first time this year it has lost more than two consecutive games and only the second time the Stingers have lost three straight since the beginning of 2014.

Willmar will continue its six-day homestand Wednesday night against Madison, which is already sold out. However, tickets are still available for the remaining four days of the home stretch. 

The 2015 Stingers season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com. 

Tonight’s Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was Eddie Estrada. CDI is your local medical imaging provider. It’s your choice where you go for medical imaging, for MRI, CT, mammograms and pain injections, choose CDI. Visit online at myCDI.com/CentralMN.