WILLMAR, Minn. — The Stingers had their share of opportunities against the La Crosse Loggers on Thursday night, but Willmar stranded 13 men on base in a 5-2 loss at Bill Taunton Stadium. 

La Crosse (4-6) opened the scoring with a single run in the top of the second, but the Stingers struck back in the bottom of the third to tie the score at one. 

Willmar eventually left the bases loaded in that third inning, and the Loggers capitalized for the winning runs in the next half inning. After Casey Danley doubled to start the fourth inning, David Jacob singled him home to give La Crosse the lead for good. Two batters reached after that, and then came the big blow of the game, a three-run home run from Luis Trevino. 

Stingers starter Ricky Reynoso left after the fourth inning, and the bullpen shut down the Loggers the rest of the way, as three relievers combined to allow just one more hit in the final five innings. Jayce Vancena (Michigan) led the way, tossing three scoreless and striking out a pair. 

Willmar got a single run in the bottom of the seventh to trim the lead to three, but that was as close as it could get. The Stingers put two on with one out in the ninth, but Travis Wacker grounded into a game-ending double play.

Despite the loss, several Stingers had strong nights at the plate, including Danny Pardo who went 2-for-3 with two walks and a run. Quincy McAfee also had a pair of hits in five trips to the plate. 

The Stingers now head on the road for three road games before returning to the Beehive on Monday. 

Tonight’s Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was Jayce Vancena. 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.

The 2016 season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.