MANKATO, Minn. – Kenny Roberts hit his second multi-homer game of the season to lead Willmar to a 7-2 victory against the MoonDogs and move the Stingers into first place in the second-half standings at Franklin Rogers Park Saturday night.
With two outs and two on in the fifth inning, Roberts (Alabama) hit a three-run to left field to break a 2-2 tie and give the Stingers their first lead of the game. Roberts’ 10th home run of the year scored Forrestt Allday (Central Arkansas) and Michael Suchy (Florida Gulf Coast), who both reached on walks in the frame. Allday walked twice in the contest and now ranks fifth all-time for walks in a single season in Northwoods League history with 53.
Roberts added his second home run in the eighth when he hit a fly ball more than 400 feet, well beyond the left-centerfield fence, for his league-leading 11th homer of the year to make the final score 7-2. Roberts now has 33 RBIs this year, 24 of which have come with two outs in an inning.
Zach Benson (Stephen F. Austin) added to the home run total with a solo shot to left field to lead off the third inning and get the Stingers on the scoreboard, trailing 2-1 after Benson’s second homer of the season. Willmar has now hit a league-leading 43 home runs this year and is on pace to break the Northwoods League record of 59 by a team in one season, which was set in 1997.
Anthony Consiglio (Western Nevada) received his first victory of the season after going 6.2 innings for his longest outing of the season. Consiglio struck out five while walking three and allowed only two runs on five hits to move to 1-2 this year. Andre Wheeler (Texas Tech) retired all four batters he faced in relief, and Scott Lieser (St. Cloud State) pitched a perfect ninth inning to seal the victory.
With the win, the Stingers are now 7-3 in the second half of the season to stand in first place, one game ahead of the MoonDogs, who fell to 6-4 with the loss.
In the fourth inning, Max Kuhn (Kentucky) singled to left field to score Suchy for his third RBI in the last two games and tie the game, 2-2.
Corben Green (Louisiana Monroe) had an infield single in the second inning to extend his franchise-record hitting streak to 19 games.
Willmar returns home to play the Waterloo Bucks at Bill Taunton Stadium Sunday at 6:05 p.m. It’s Circus Night presented by the Willmar Area Shriner’s Club. Fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or plush toy to toss on the field during the game for prizes. The toys will be donated to children at the Shriner’s Hospital.
The 2012 season is presented by Charter. For more information on your Willmar Stingers be sure to visit the West Central Tribune at www.wctrib.com.
