Willmar, Minn. – Behind another strong offensive performance, the Stingers win their second straight. They beat the Minnesota Mud Puppies 10-6 Thursday night.

The Stingers’ offense started hot, scoring four times in the first inning. Josh Fitzgerald scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch, then Grant Kerry doubled in two to make it 3-0. In his Stingers debut, Matthew Enck drove in a fourth on a fielder’s choice. Kerry then added an RBI single in the second to make it 5-0.

The Mud Puppies made things closer in the fourth, scoring three times, two on hits and one on a throwing error by catcher Kaden Hopson.

Willmar responded with one in the sixth on an RBI single by Daniel Walsh, and four more in the seventh, behind an RBI single by William Hamiter, double by Kerry, who subsequently scored on an error by Minnesota’s shortstop.

The Mud Puppies scored three unanswered, two in the eighth and one in the ninth, but reliever Colton Hamman shut the door and secured the 10-6 Stingers victory.

Game 2 of the series will be Friday, July 9, from Bill Taunton Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.