First-inning surge propels Fergus Falls past Willmar

WILLMAR -- Fergus Falls got off the bus swinging and punched out Willmar 9-2 in a Central Lakes Conference baseball game on Tuesday.

The Otters scored six times in the first off Cardinal starter Gabe Amon and three more in the second off Andrew Bangen.

The loss ended a four-game winning streak as the Cardinals get ready for the Section 2AAA Tournament.

No. 8 Willmar will host to No. 9-seed Buffalo at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. The loser is eliminated while the winner advances to play No. 1-seed Eden Prairie on Memorial Day at Eden Prairie.

Fergus Falls walloped nine hits, including four doubles. Their first four batters scored to start the game. Darin Stavislowski ripped a two-run double to center in the first and an RBI single to left in the second.

After getting through the second inning, Bangen shut the Otters down the rest of the way on two hits.

Willmar (4-10, 7-13) got two unearned runs in the first on a sacrifice fly by Dean Stier and RBI single by Ryan Horning, who finished 3-for-3.

The Otters' Zach Rengal gave up only two other hits while walking two and fanning nine while pitching a complete game.

Fergus Falls 9, Willmar 2

Ferg (9-5, 12-6) 630 000 0 -- 9 11 1

Will (4-10, 7-13) 200 000 0 -- 2 5 1

HITTING - Fergus Falls: Trevor Larson 1-for-4, Pete Gaustad 2-for-4, 2b, rbi; Dan Revering 1-for-3, 2 runs, Spencer Kidder 2-for-4, 2 runs, 2b, rbi; Boyden Lee 1-for-2, Trent Toso 1-for-2, 2b, 2 rbi; Darin Stavislowski 2-for-3, 2b, 3 rbi; James Evenson 1-for-3, 2 rbi ... Willmar: Austin Adamson 1-for-4, Dean Stier 1-for-4, Ryan Horning 3-for-3, 2b, rbi

PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- Fergus Falls: xxxxx ... Willmar: xxxxx