WILLMAR -- Rocori's Chad Willenbring continued to haunt Willmar Tuesday in the Cardinals' home opener at new Taunton Stadium.
The rangy 6-foot-4 right-hander gave up two first-inning runs, but shut down the Cardinals after that and the Spartans rallied for a 9-2 Central Lakes Conference victory.
Willenbring, whose 17 second-half points led a Spartan rally that topped Willmar in the Section 8AAA basketball final, also went 3-for-3 at the plate with a double.
After losing a 1-0 squeaker at Marshall to open the season, the Cardinals wasted no time erasing the goose eggs in front of the home crowd. Leadoff George Jacobson lashed a grounder through left side of the infield, then stole second. Kyle Townswick's walk was followed by a line drive off the bat of Tyler Horning to right-center to plate Jacobson. Matt Roisum, the designated hitter, ripped a single to right to bring in Townswick for a quick 2-0 lead.
Rocori tied it with two runs in the top of the third inning off Troy Ditterich. Jason Brouwer came in to get the final out.After the first inning, Willmar generated just three more hits off Willenbring and reliever Chad Aaseth, two by Horning giving the senior shortstop a 3-for-4 day.
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Brower took the loss. Rocori scored five in the seventh off Matt Seehusen who was touched for a bases-loaded double by Aaron Traut.
Rocori 9, Willmar 2
Rocori 002 002 5 - 9 8 2
Willmar (0-1, 0-2) 200 000 0 - 2 6 4
HITTING - Rocori: Nick Fabel 2-for-4, Chad Willenbring 3-for-3, 2b, 2 runs, rbi; Aaron Traut 1-for-3, 2b, 2 runs, 3 rbi; Brad Olson 1-for-3, Alex Jurgels 1-for-1, rbi .... Willmar: Tyler Horning 3-for-4, rbi; Matt Roisum 1-for-1, rbi; George Jacobson 1-for-3, Tom Seedorf 1-for-3
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) - Rocori: Chad Willenbring (W) 5-5-2-2-3-5, Chad Aaseth 2-1-0-0-2-2.... Willmar: Troy Ditterich 2 2/3-4-2-2-1-3, Jason Brower (L) 2 2/3-3-2-1-1-1, Matt Seehusen 1 1/3-1-5-4-5-2, Alex Lotthammer Zc-0-0-0-1-1
NEXT -- Willmar: Thursday, home vs. Alexandria
