Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks second baseman Brian Ward can't figure out his recent power surge.
The 5-foot-8, 180-pound Ward has cracked five home runs since June 22 to tie for the team lead and vault into the Northern League leaders in RBI.
Ward had seven home runs and 28 RBI entering Thursday's game against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Newman Outdoor Field.
"I wish I could explain it," Ward said.
RedHawks manager Doug Simunic doesn't need an explanation.
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"I told him whatever you're doing, don't change it," Simunic said.
Ward has been moved to the No. 3 spot in the batting order after hitting in the lower third of the lineup for most of this season.
"You're going to put your best hitter third," Simunic said. "He's a hot bat. He's a very relaxed looking guy."
Coincidentally, Ward started his hot streak after he missed seven games because of a back injury and a wedding he attended.
"It seems like I've always gotten off to a fast start when I've come back from missing games," Ward said.
Jon Weber hit his seventh homer of the season in the fifth inning Thursday to tie Ward for the team lead.
F-M's rookie arms strong
Jodie Kennedy, Rick Sander and Mike Peschel -- all rookie pitchers -- have been key contributors in the RedHawks' strong first half.
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The left-handed Kennedy is 5-2 with a 2.64 ERA, ranking eighth in the league in ERA entering Thursday's action.
Sander, a right-hander, is 3-1 with a 4.72 ERA, including a four-hit shutout. The left-handed Peschel is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA.
Simunic said RedHawks pitching coach Jeff Bittiger has played a key role in their development.
"I think good tutoring by Bitt has been an important part of it," Simunic said, adding. "Knowing the team is good and is going to score some runs has given them some confidence."
Fastballs
The RedHawks have previously won first-half championships in 1996, 1998 and 2000. In each of those years, F-M has followed that up with a second-half title. ... Entering Thursday's action, the RedHawks had .a 360 team on-base percentage. That number is higher than three other clubs' team slugging percentage. ... RedHawks first baseman Toby Rumfield had a .998 fielding percentage entering Thursday's game to lead the league at his position.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513
