Willmar, MN — Eric Schenck-Joblinske hit a late two-run homer to push the MoonDogs past Willmar on Monday night at Bill Tauton Stadium, 8-7. 

In the top of the ninth inning Kyle Weston (James Madison) would reach and wind up on second as Eric Schenck-Joblinske (University of Iowa) stepped up to the plate. With two outs and two strikes in his at bat during the final frame, the Mankato MoonDogs (13-18, 31-36) found themselves down by a run. The MoonDogs' left fielder hit a dramatic home run, a two run shot, to give Mankato a one run lead of their own over the Willmar Stingers (19-13, 42-24) headed into the bottom of the frame. 

Grant Hamilton (Oklahoma City) came into the game to slam the door, but it wouldn't be so easy. Willmar would collect a single before Hamilton walked two to load the bases with one out. The Mankato closer would compose himself, getting the final two outs and working out of the jam to get his fourth save of the season. Mankato snapped a six game losing streak with the 8-7 win over the Stingers. 

Mankato led the game by as many as four runs at one point, but the Stingers stayed resilient while scoring two runs in the third and three in the sixth before scoring the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Cody O'Brien (2-0) picked up the win for the MoonDogs in relief while Brady Anderson (0-1) took the loss in the aftermath of his first blown save of the season.

The MoonDogs will be back in action on Wednesday night to finish up the season series against Willmar at Franklin Rogers Park. First pitch will be at 7:05 PM on The Fan Mankato with Mike Sullivan and Shawn Murnin.

"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.”