Kenosha, WI – Connor O’Neil took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but a pitcher’s duel would eventually end up in a 13 inning affair against the Kingfish that would end with the MoonDogs winning, 7-5 at Simmons Field on Sunday night.
In the top of the 13th inning, Mankato would finally break through after a Paul Panaccione double would bring home Brinn Bell who led off the inning with a single to put the MoonDogs up 6-5. Kyle Weston would drive home Panaccione three batters later on an error by Kenosha’s Alex Borglin to give Mankato a two-run lead. The Kingfish would get a leadoff single in the bottom half, but the next three batters would be retired to end the four hour and 15 minute game, 7-5.
Pitching at the beginning and end on Sunday night’s battle with the Kenosha Kingfish (21-12) would be the key with Conner O’Neil (1-2) getting a no decision. O’Neil set the tone for the MoonDogs, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and finishing the night with a line of 6.1 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs on five hits, with six strikeouts and no walks.
Connor O’Brein (1-0) picked up the win, as he came in during the ninth inning after the Kingfish had tied the score at five runs each, scoring three runs in the ninth. O’Brein would get two outs with the bases loaded, striking out Jason Scholl and getting Alex Dunlap to ground into a 6-4 putout to end the inning. O’Brein would finish the night going 4.2 innings, while allowing just two hits with one walk while striking out five.
J.D. Nielsen (2-1) was charged with the loss for the Kingfish. Nielsen came in and threw four innings giving up just two hits and two runs, with one being earned. Neilsen would let two runners aboard with walks, and strikeout four MoonDogs.
Mankato will face off against St. Cloud in a double header tomorrow, the first nine inning game will start at 1:05 PM and the second starting at 7:05 PM. Both games will at The Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato.
“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."
