WILLMAR, Minn. – Brady Shockey (USC) extended his streak at the top of the order for the Stingers in their 9-5 loss to the Rox Thursday evening.

The Rox scored one run in the first inning. Quickly, the Stingers answered by putting up five runs in the first two innings to take a four-run lead.

Shockey led off the game with a double for Willmar. Since he was moved into the top of the order Sunday night in Mankato, he has led off each game by getting on base.

Sunday, he doubled. Monday and Tuesday, he singled. Yesterday, he walked. Today, another double.

He finished the evening 3-for-4 with one RBI. 

Nolan Bumstead (CS-Northridge) picked up two singles in the game as well. Additionally, Tyler Reichenborn (Iowa Western) and Nate Sterijevski (Bethune-Cookman) both had second-inning base hits.

Today's Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was Brady Shockey. 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.

On the mound, five Stingers pitchers appeared on the mound. Out of the bullpen, Joe Vranesic (Kent State) pitched out of a bases loaded, no-out jam by striking out a batter and inducing a 1-2-3 double play to keep the Willmar hopes alive in the eighth inning.

Blake Stockert (NDSU) moves to 1-2 on the season after tonight. As a team, the Stingers are now 11-12. With the Rox victory, they move into first place in the North Division.

The La Crosse Loggers will come to town tomorrow for the beginning of a home-and-home series starting in Willmar. It will be Willmar Fests Night at the ballpark as well as a "Kids Run the Bases" Friday. Tickets for all home games are available at WillmarStingers.com or by calling the Stingers ticket office at 320-222-2010.

Nick Lackney (Minnesota) is expected to start Friday evening at Bill Taunton Stadium.

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.