The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • Mankato MoonDogs' Cody Ferrell hits a RBI double during the first inning of their game against Willmar Saturday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman

    MoonDogs1_7-15.jpg

  • Mankato MoonDogs starting pitcher Zach Hall delivers a pitch during their game against Willmar Saturday at Franklin Rogers Park. Pat Christman

    MoonDogs2_7-15.jpg

July 15, 2012

Willmar stings MoonDogs again

Mankato off to slow start in second half

By Joe Tischler Special to The Free Press

MANKATO — On Friday night, the Willmar Stingers nailed four home runs in a 10-4 rout of the MoonDogs. Saturday night at Franklin Rogers Park, they connected for three more as the Stingers took over sole possession of first place in the Northwoods League’s North Division second half with a 7-2 win over Mankato.

Mankato manager Mike Orchard stated simply: “They kicked our butts two nights in a row.”

The game started nicely for the MoonDogs as they got on the scoreboard first by putting up a crooked number in the second inning. Craig Massoni led off with an infield single. Two batters later, Drew Stankiewicz brought him home courtesy of a bad hop over the head of Willmar shortstop Hunter Dozier for a 1-0 lead.

Cody Ferrell hit a shot down the left field line that hit the chalk just past third base. The ball continued down to the corner allowing Stankiewicz to score all the way from first for a 2-0 Mankato lead after two innings.

Mankato’s bats went silent after that while Willmar’s bats came alive. Zach Benson led off the third with a home run over the left-center field fence.

The Stingers tied the game in the fourth and then Kenny Roberts put his stamp on the game, connecting for a 3-run shot over the 315-foot sign in left field for a 5-2 Willmar lead after five.

Roberts homered again to left-center field to lead off the eighth inning. He went 2 for 3 on the night with four RBIs and a walk. He’s hit five home runs this season against the MoonDogs en route to his league leading 11 home runs.

“We’re a little tired,” said Orchard. “We have some guys that have logged some innings.”

“It’s a season of streaks. They’re playing well right now and we’re a little bit down. We’ve got a long ways to go before the end of the season.”

MoonDogs starter Zach Hall was saddled with his first loss of the season, going 52⁄3 innings and giving up five runs on six hits while striking out six.

Getting the lead-off batter on base was key for Willmar. The lead-off man got on in five innings and they scored in all five of those innings.

The Stingers were scoreless when the lead-off batter was retired.

“That’s Baseball 101,” said Orchard. “Your chances of scoring raise significantly when the first runner gets on base.”

Mankato (6-4 in second half, 34-11 overall) will look to get back in the win column tonight when it hosts St. Cloud in a 6:05 p.m. game at Franklin Rogers Park.  

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