WILLMAR - All three runs scored Thursday came on one home run for each team. Unfortunately for the Willmar Stingers, the La Crosse Loggers’ homer came with a man on base, as the Loggers won 2-1 at Bill Taunton Stadium.
Willmar’s Brian Kehner shut out the Loggers through seven innings, but hit Ben Morgan with a pitch leading off the eighth, and with two outs, La Crosse No. 2 hitter Jordan Zimmerman deposited a 2-1 pitch over the fence.
It gave the Loggers their first lead of the night, after the Stingers had led 1-0 since the fourth on Storm Wilson’s solo shot.
Four La Crosse pitchers combined to hold Willmar to just three hits and one run, all against starter Kevin Flemer.
The Stingers had a chance to tie it in the ninth when Sean Beesley walked with two outs and stole second, but Reagan Fowler grounded out to end the game.
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Willmar fell into a second-place tie with the Duluth Huskies, who beat Mankato 4-2. Both teams trail first-place St. Cloud by 3-1/2 games. The Rox beat Waterloo 10-1 on Thursday.
The Stingers are 17-10 in the Northwoods League North Division second half. They play 7:05 p.m. today at home against La Crosse.
