Willmar, Minn. – The Stingers are off to a good start post-All Star Break, with hot bats in Thursday’s 12-2 triumph over the Minnesota Mud Puppies.

The offense came early, five runs in the opening frame for Willmar. Grant Kerry, Jakob Newton and Drey Dirksen all provided RBI singles in the inning, while Jorge Lucero knocked in two with a knock to cap it off. In total, 10 batters came up to the plate.

They added two more in the second when Newton and Dirksen both hit their second RBI singles of the game.

The Stingers didn’t need a hit in the third, two came in on a bases loaded walk and hit by pitch, and that point, Willmar led 9-0.

Willmar added one in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. The fourth and eighth innings were the only ones tonight in which the Stingers didn’t score.

Sasha Jabusch started the ballgame for Willmar, tossing seven innings of five hit, two-run ball. He walked one and struck out seven.

The Stingers will be in pursuit of a series sweep Friday night. Game 2 of the series against Minnesota will be at 7:05 p.m. from The Beehive.