BRAINERD -- Less than a week after emerging from the honeycomb for the first time, the baby Stingers have put together their first winning streak.
The newly-minted collegiate team from Willmar hooked the Brainerd Lunkers 7-4 on Tuesday evening before an announced crowd of 599.
It was also the Stingers' first road game after a 2-3 start on Baker Field.
Left-hander Jeff Barto got the win. He was nearly air tight in 5Zc innings of work. He walked none, gave up two hits, one earned run and fanned four. Willmar already led 6-0 before the Lunkers mounted a two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.
Matt Collins and Jayson Huett finished up on the hill.
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The Stingers return tonight and will host nearby North Division rival Alexandria tonight at Bill Taunton Stadium.
The Beetles are 2-5 after losing to the Rochester Honkers 3-2 Tuesday night.
The Stingers totaled 10 hits off three Brainerd hurlers. Isaac Ballou and Eduardo Gonzalez had two hits apiece.
Ballou and Bryan Willson had the Stingers' only extra-base hits, both doubles. Joe Sever and Matt Serna drove in two runs apiece.
Patrick Nathanson took the loss after working the first five innings.
The two teams were sloppy in the field combining for nine errors; only three of the game's 11 runs were considered earned.
Stingers outfielder Jordan Smith sat out after a 7-for-19 start at the plate in the Stingers' first five games.
