Willmar, Minn.- On Thursday night the Stingers opened up their final home series of the 2018 regular season against the Rochester Honkers. It went well for the Stingers defeating Rochester 4-2.

After the Honkers went up 1-0 off of a solo homer from third basemen Nate Webb (UC Riverside), Stingers starter Louie Varland (Concordia-St. Paul) was fantastic from that point on. Varland went six innings, gave up just one earned run in his start and struck out eight. Varland got the win and improved his record to 4-2.

Offensively the Stingers were led by John Trousdale (Alabama) and Jayson Newman (Cal St.-Northridge). Trousdale started off the game reaching twice and scoring two runs. Newman contributed with his seventh homer of the season. Newman’s homer was in the sixth inning and gave the Stingers a 4-1 advantage at the time. Shea Kramer (Utah) contributed as well with two RBIs of his own.

Rochester did score one more off of Willmar relievers but Jayson Newman came on for the save and picked up his ninth save of the season going an inning and a third. Newman’s save puts him all alone in sole possession of third on the Stingers all time single-season save leaderboard at nine. Surpassing now Brewers hurler Jacob Barnes.

Willmar will play one final home game tomorrow night at 7:05 against Rochester.

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.