Willmar Stingers drub Mankato MoonDogs

MANKATO -- The Willmar Stingers' anemic offense found life on Sunday and drubbed the Mankato MoonDogs 13-8 in a Northwoods League baseball game.

Willmar had not scored a run in its last 20 innings before plating four in the first inning against Mankato. The Stingers then scored a lone run in the second and then exploded for six more in the third.

Carter Bell had four of Willmar's 13 hits, finishing 4-for-6 with two runs scored. Matt Serna and Zach Rowles each hit their first home runs of the season for the Stingers.

In the opening frame, all four Willmar runs scored after there were two outs. Bell and Jordan Smith singled before Sean Dwyer walked to load the bases. Joe Severl then drew another walk for the first run of the game and Jared Norris cleared the bases with a double.

Serna homered with one out in the second inning to stake the Stingers to a 5-0 lead.

The six-run third included a bases-loaded walk to Bryan Willson, a two-run double by Rowles, a run-scoring fielder's choice by Serna, a run-scoring single by Bell and an RBI double by Eduardo Gonzalez.

Sever drove in a run with a double in the sixth and Rowles hit a solo homer in the ninth to cap the scoring.

Smith and Rowles had two hits apiece.

The win went to Matt Collins, the second of four Willmar hurlers. Starter Charley Olson was lifted with one out in the fourth inning. Collins pitched 1Xc innings and allowed a hit and a run. Wally Marciel and Daniel Zapata were hit hard and Jayson Huett finished with three strong innings for his fourth save of the season.

Willmar doesn't play again until Thursday in Duluth due to the All-Star break. Smith, Olson and Isaac Ballou will represent the team in Tuesday's event in Eau Claire, Wis.