Bismarck, N.D. – Behind the stellar performance of starting pitcher Ryan Watson, the Stingers were able to capture a bounce back win over the Bismarck Larks, 6-0.

Watson threw seven shutout innings, allowing six hits, while striking out nine. He didn’t walk or hit a batter in the effort.

Dylan Matela, Watson’s teammate at Georgia State University, picked up where he left off, throwing two shutout innings of his own. Matela struck out three and walked one.

Willmar struck early, as third baseman Reid Homan knocked in Carter Howell on a groundout. The Stingers added to their lead in the second and seventh innings.

In the seventh, Bismarck’s relief pitcher Andrew Brooks walked the first three batters he faced, but the Stingers were only able to muster one run. The Stingers added two more in the eighth inning off three hits and two wild pitches and one more in the ninth.

The Larks’ starter, Ryan Carmack, didn’t have a bad outing. He tossed six innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs. He struck out five and walked three.

The Stingers improve to 1-1 on the season. Their home opener is tomorrow night, from Bill Taunton Stadium. They’re set to take on the Eau Claire Express. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.