WILLMAR, MN – The Willmar Stingers fell to the Bismarck Larks tonight, 3-1.

The bats were not present tonight in a low-scoring affair in Bill Taunton Stadium. The Stingers needed one more win to be crowned second-half champions but will have to wait until their next and final regular season series to earn that title.

Bismarck starting pitcher Carter Rost blanked the Stingers through six innings of play while striking out eight. Relief pitchers Steven Klenskie and Adolfo Iturradle came in to close it out with Iturradle earning the save.

Despite his solid performance, Steven Brooks would be given his first loss of the year. The Larks scored a run on him in the top of the second on a fielder’s choice and they wouldn’t score again until the eighth and the ninth innings.

The Stingers’ lone run would be driven home in the bottom of the ninth off of an RBI ground out from Carson Hake. The Stingers would load the bases in the inning but would fall short.

The Stingers look to be crowned champions tomorrow during the first game of their final regular season series against the Duluth Huskies. One win would be all it would take. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.