Kenosha, WI – Austin Warner turned in a competitive outing but would ultimately be charged with the loss for the MoonDogs as the Kingfish took the first game of the two game set, 5-1 at Simmons Field on Saturday evening.

Austin Warner (1-1) took the mound for the Mankato MoonDogs (16-16) after getting no decisions in his last three appearances. Warner would finish the night having gone six innings against the Kenosha Kingfish (21-12) while allowing four runs, two of which were earned, on six hits while striking out four. Warner did not allow a walk for the first time this season.

E.J. Trapino (1-0) made his second start for the Kingfish, and it was a good one. Through 5.1 innings, Trapino would allow just one run on five MoonDogs hits, while walking four and striking out two.

The play that would break the game open for the Kingfish happened in the fourth inning; when a double steal of second and third would force an errand throw by MoonDog’s catcher Kevin Hall allowing one run to score. On the backup in left field Hunter Mercado-Hood would misplay the ball, and a fielding error would be charged allowing the second run to score.

David Metzgar and Mikel Mucha would each have two of the MoonDogs six hits, while three Kingfish would have multi-hit efforts in the Kingfish win.

Game two will be played Sunday evening at Simmons Field to wrap up the two-game set between the teams. First pitch will be at 5:05 PM.

“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website."