WILLMAR, Minn. – The Stingers began the second half with a quality 6-5 victory over the Waterloo Bucks Wednesday evening.

They were led by southpaws Nick Lackney (Minnesota) and Connor Jahn (Presbyterian), who together combined to allow only six Waterloo hits.

The game began with Waterloo scoring three in the first inning. The Stingers responded by putting up four in the third, taking the lead off of Tyler Reichenborn's (Iowa Western) two-run single to pull ahead.

By that point, Lackney had settled into a groove, eventually exiting in the seventh with a one-run lead.

Jahn came in and struck out the first batter he saw. Just second later, he induced a ground ball right back to himself to strand the runner and hold onto the Stingers' lead.

He then held the Bucks to two more scorless innings, picking up his first save of the year with 2 2/3 innings pitched. It was also Lackney's first win of the year. 

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

Shockey went 4-for-4, hitting a single in all four plate appearances. He drove in one of the six runs of the day for Willmar.

Additionally, the Stingers hit two home runs. Luke Becker (Kentucky) and Josh Bissonette (Baylor) both had their second of the year. 

Game two against the Waterloo Bucks is scheduled for tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. Tyler Oldenberg (Seattle) is expected to start. Tickets are available at WillmarStingers.com or by calling the office at 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.