MANKATO, MN – The Willmar Stingers defeated the Mankato MoonDogs, 8-1.

After the Stingers battled the Bucks the previous game in extra innings, Willmar put on a dominating performance to secure their third victory in a row to end their three-game road trip.

The Stingers did a great job at getting runners on base and were able to score two runs within the first four innings. Will Hodo got the first run across when he hit his second double of the game in the top of the third scoring Joey Walls from second. The second run came home after a wild pitch throw-out attempt to third was offline. Busch took advantage and crossed home plate.

Hodo would go on to be named the MinnWest Technology Player of the Game. He went 2-3 with two doubles, an RBI, and two walks. He now has five doubles and now has 20 RBIs on the year.

The MoonDogs would score in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to 2-1. However, the Stingers got hot scoring six runs in the top of the next inning. The seventh started off with the bases being loaded by the top of the order. The rest of the lineup was able to send them home and then some.

The scoring started off with an RBI single from Scott Anderson and ended with a two-RBI double from Zac Corbin. This marks back-to-back games for Corbin where he has sent multiple runners across home plate.

The game would end with the final score being 8-1. Jack Zigan was given the win in his six-inning, one-earned run effort and Mankato’s Luke Young was given the loss.

This win gives the Stingers the 3-2 series advantage over the MoonDogs in the season series. Wilmar now holds a 3.0 game advantage over Mankato in the overall standings.

The Stingers will face the MoonDogs tomorrow to finish off the two-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.