La Crosse, Wis.-  On Saturday night the Willmar Stingers defeated the La Crosse Loggers 8-6 to put themselves back atop the North division.

Willmar got off to a fast start in the first inning with an Eli Wilson RBI single plating Matt Rudick (San Diego St.).

Then the rain hit, the game was delayed for 40 minutes before resuming again.

After the resuming of the game the Loggers took a 3-1 lead in the second inning and held it until the fourth.

In the fourth inning Wilson drove in another run, this time by himself. Wilson launched a solo shot that hit three-quarters of the way up the video board in left field. Willmar scored two in the inning and tied the game up at three.

In the fifth Willmar put together a rally scoring five runs and taking an 8-3 lead. Willmar would hold on to that lead for the remainder of the game eventually defeating La Crosse 8-6.

Dylan Oliver (Alabama) was spectacular in relief spanning 4.1 innings and picking up the win for the Stingers.

Nick Mears (Sac City) got a six out save for the Stingers securing the victory.

Willmar with the win and a Duluth loss now are tied atop the North Division. Willmar has the tie breaker over the Huskies, if the season ended today the Stingers would be second half champions.

The Stingers and the Loggers will do battle once again tomorrow at 5:05.

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