WATERLOO, Iowa — Corey Binger (UN-Omaha) led the Stingers to a road sweep of the Waterloo Bucks Friday night, keeping them in first place of the North Division.

Binger started the game on the mound, following a six-inning relief win. In his last outing, he was named the NWL Pitcher of the Night, and came up with another gem in the Stingers’ 2-1 victory over the Bucks.

The Stingers offered him two runs of support in the fifth inning, when Marcus Still (New Mexico State) drove in one run with a ground ball.

In addition, Harrison Schnurbusch (Central Missouri) stole home when the Bucks thought they had called time for the second run of the day for Willmar.

It put the Stingers ahead 2-1 as Binger went out for his fifth inning of work.

The Bucks sent three up, three down in the fifth inning. An inning later, they got two men in scoring position with one out. Binger responded by striking out the next two batters, stranding the two runners and holding onto the lead.

Binger continued into the seventh and eighth innings, allowing a walk for the only baserunner of the seven batters he faced.

It is the longest outing a Stinger has had this season. He finished the day with five strikeouts and one earned run.

Nick Mears (Sac City) came in to close the door on the Bucks in the ninth inning. He struck out the side in order, sealing the deal and holding onto a first place spot for the Stingers.

It was Mears’ second save of the year.

Today's Center for Diagnostic Imaging player of the game was Corey Binger. 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 Stingers are now 18-10 on the second half and 36-28 overall.

The Stingers return home for the final home series of the season tomorrow. They will host the Duluth Huskies for two games this weekend. Tomorrow’s game will feature Connor Herd (Mercer) on the mound, and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Tickets for all home games are available online at WillmarStingers.com or by calling the Stingers' ticket 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.