ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – The Alexandria Beetles lost in a 2-1 pitcher's duel Friday evening at Knute Nelson Memorial Park. 

Blake Stockert (NDSU) had the start on the mound for the Beetles. Stockert, and Alexandria native, grew up watching the Beetles and started as a Beetle for the second time.

He went six innings, gave up five hits and one run in his loss. 

There were 1,329 fans in attendance. It was the second year in which the Stingers played a home game in Alexandria.

Following Stockert's outing, Braxton Johns (East Georgia), Stone Kelly (Georgia Gwinnett), and Nick Mears (Sac City) combined to only allow one more run for the Larks. 

Going into the bottom of the eighth inning, it was 2-0 Bismarck. Josh Bissonette (Baylor) then scored the first run of the day for the Beetles on an error. 

Today's Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was Josh Bissonette. 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.

Bissonette finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate to add to his run scored.

The Beetles move to 9-9 on the season.

They complete their six-game homestand Saurday evening against the Mankato MoonDogs. It will be S'mores vs. Campfires night, in which the Stingers will play as the S'mores and the MoonDogs will be the Campfires. The evening activities will feature mashmallow roasting, youth camping, postgame fireworks and more. 

Tickets for all games at Bill Taunton Stadium are available at WillmarStingers.com or by calling 320-222-2010.

The 2017 Stingers season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.