Rochester, Minn. – The Stingers notch their first extra-inning win of the season in a 5-3 triumph over Rochester.

Willmar fell behind 1-0 after one. The score remained that way until the top of the fifth, when Carter Howell scored two on a single to center field. In the seventh, Jack Collette hit a two-run home run to give the Honkers a 3-2 lead. On the first pitch of the eighth inning, Grant Kerry promptly hit a solo home run to left to tie it at three.

Out of the bullpen, Jack Blesch pitched himself out of jams in the eighth and ninth innings. The Honkers left the bases loaded in both frames and didn’t score.

Grant Kerry singled into center field in the tenth to score Carter Howell to give Willmar a 4-3 lead. Then, Daniel Walsh singled in Kerry to extend the lead.

Game 2 of the series is Friday, July 16. The Stingers, now at 5-6 in the second half, aim to sweep the Honkers. First pitch from Mayo Field is at 6:35 p.m.