Willmar, Minn.- In comeback fashion, the Willmar Stingers got the portion of the season after the All-Star break off on the right foot, defeating the Bismarck Larks by a final score of 10-6 on Thursday.

After the Larks put up a run in the third inning, the Stingers answered right back. Nic Hernandez (Cal Poly Pomona) singled in Joey Ortiz (New Mexico State) tying the game up at one.

In the fourth, Bismarck put up a two spot. Once again Willmar responded scoring two of their own. For the Stingers, the inning was highlighted by a Shea Kramer (Utah) RBI single making it 3-3.

Once again in the fifth Bismarck retook the lead, going up 6-3. But, the Stingers battled back scoring one in the fifth off of another Hernandez single.

Willmar, in the sixth, would take the lead for the first time and for good. The Stingers scored three in the inning, with RBI knocks from Hernandez, Eli Wilson (Minnesota) and John Trousdale (Alabama).

The Stingers added more insurance in the seventh and in the eighth leading to a 10-6 victory.

Hernandez, on the night, was remarkable. The Cal Poly Pomona slugger went 5-5  with three RBIs and boosted his average all the way  from .286 to .323.

Willmar will face off against the Larks tomorrow night for game two starting at 7:05.

The 2018 Stingers season is presented by Marcus Construction. For more coverage of the Stingers visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.