MANKATO — The Mankato MoonDogs’ second half struggles continued Monday night as Willmar’s high-octane offense banged out 15 hits in a 12-5 Northwoods League baseball victory before 1,290 fans at ISG Field.
Willmar, the Great Plains West first-half division winner, showed off its potent attack by exploding for nine runs in the second frame to coast to its win behind left-hander pitcher Tate Robertson, who didn’t allow a run through five innings while giving up two hits, striking out nine and walking one.
Colin Hynek, who finished with three hits and four RBIs for the Stingers (27-13, 4-2 in second half), cracked a two-run homer to get the huge second inning rolling. Dariel Orosia and Drey Dirksen each ripped two-run singles in the surge.
Willmar, which leads the Northwoods League in batting average (.310) and home runs (47) and is second in runs scored (337), surrendered five runs over the final seven innings as Mankato left fielder Brody Delamielleure collected three of the ‘Dogs hits, raising his batting average to .364.
Delamielleure and center fielder Josh Alexander each drove in a run as the MoonDogs slipped to 18-20, 1-4 in second half.
MoonDogs starter Aiden McGee got roughed up for eight earned runs in 1 1/3 innings.
Mankato looks to get untracked when it begins a five-game series over three days against the Badlands Big Sticks with a doubleheader Tuesday at Dickinson, North Dakota.