WILLMAR, Minn. – Seven different Willmar batters had base hits, and four different Stingers had multi-RBI games in a 12-5 victory against the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers at Bill Taunton Stadium Thursday night.

Blake Shepherd (Viterbo) led the way in his home debut, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Jarid Scarafiotti (Stephen F. Austin) also went 2-for-4, collecting three RBIs in the contest. Jake Stinnett (Maryland) added two RBIs and two runs on a 1-for-3 night at the plate.

In the second inning, Rob Elliott (Bradley) gave the Stingers the lead with a two-run double with two outs, scoring Stinnett and Shepherd. Willmar never surrendered the lead and led 5-1 after the third thanks to a two-run double by Shepherd and an RBI single by Scarafiotti. The Lunkers came back with three runs in the fourth to make it a one-run game, 5-4.

Willmar added to its lead in the fifth inning after the first three batters reached base. Stinnett and Shepherd began the frame by being hit by pitches. Scarafiotti then brought them both home with a single. Scarafiotti added a stolen base later in the inning.

Leading 7-5, the Stingers broke the game open with a five-run bottom of the eighth. Mitch Rowan (Willamette) led of the frame with a walk. Two batters later, Jason Leblebijian (Bradley) singled, which was followed by walks to John Haberman (Pacific) and Pat Stover (Santa Clara). Sean Dwyer (Florida Gulf Coast) then picked up an RBI base hit, and Stinnett followed with a two-run single. Stinnett currently leads the entire Northwoods League with 19 RBIs this year. 

Dan Russell (Western Illinois) picked up the victory to improve to 1-1 on the year after allowing one run in three innings of relief. Tanner Banks (Salt Lake College) went four innings as the starter, giving up four runs on six hits. Jack Shannon (San Diego) struck out three in two scoreless innings to earn his first save of the year after entering when the score was 7-5.

Willmar will play Brainerd at home two more times this week, beginning with Friday’s game at 7:05 p.m. It will be Willmar Fests Night presented by Q102 and Big Country. Willmar Fests candidates will compete to become the Stingers 2nd Annual Willmar Fests Champion. Gates open at 6 p.m.

The 2011 season is presented by Charter.