WILLMAR, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers' early success at the plate was not enough for them to get a victory over Thunder Bay to open the series. 

They began the game by scoring three in the first inning. Josh Bissonette (Baylor) had a two-run home run as the third batter up for the Stingers in the first. 

It was his third home run of the season and it put the Stingers ahead 3-0.

The Stingers then tacked on runs in both the sixth and the ninth innings, driven in by Tyler Reichenborn (Iowa Western) and Luke Becker (Kentucky) respectively.

Caleb Ledbetter (Montevallo) had a double in the first inning and a single in the third. He also walked in the sixth inning, to complete his day by getting aboard three of his four times to the plate.

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In addition, Ledbetter kept a clean fielding slate as the starting first baseman for Willmar. 

All-Star Gus Varland (Concordia-St. Paul) got the start on the mound today. He went 4 2/3 innings and gave up only two earned runs, keeping his ERA an impressive 1.18 on the season.

The Stingers move to 2-3 on the second half and 20-21 overall. They continue the series tomorrow against Thunder Bay. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and Joe Vranesic (Kent State) is the probable starter for Willmar.

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.