Alexandria, MN — David Metzgar drove in three runs on a night that he would go 2-for-4 at the plate including his first home run of the season, but it wouldn't be enough as the MoonDogs fell to the Blue Anchors at Knute Nelson Memorial Park on Thursday night by a final score of 11-5.

Down by six runs going into the ninth inning, the Mankato MoonDogs would be issued three walks to load the bases, but Eric White would enter the balgame and get the save retiring both Mankato hitters that he saw to end the game. The Alexandria Blue Anchors took an 11-5 lead in the bottom of the eighth, when they sent 11 hitters to the dish. Alexandria ended up scoreing seven runs on six hits in the eighth inning alone. two of those runs came around to score on home runs by Josh Merrigan and Matt Duce, two of six home runs in the ball game. 

Austin Warner (1-4) was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs on seven hits with two walks. Warner was on the mound for that rough eighth inning before Jordan Sheftz came in to get Mankato out of the inning. Tyler Hasper (2-1) notched the win for Alexandria, While holding the MoonDogs during his one inning pitched. 

Mankato had three home runs of their own, with David Metzgar, Craig Nennig, and Kyle Weston all hit long balls as part of a five run, seven hit effort for the MoonDogs. Josh Merrigan, Trooper Reynolds, and Matt Duce all went yard for the Blue Anchors as part of a 11 run, 15 hit game for Alexandria.

Game two between the MoonDogs and the Blue Anchors will take place Friday night at Knute Nelson Memorial Park with first pitch at 7:05 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.”