Mankato, MN – The MoonDogs would run into a very hot Rox team, who have now won six in a row, Friday night at Franklin Rogers Park as the ’Dogs would be swept by scores of 6-2 and 7-5 in front of a crowd of 1,338.
Game one would be dominated early by St. Cloud Rox (28-8, 47-23) starter Lucas Gilbreath. Gilbreath would record eight strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings pitched. He would surrender five hits and allow two runs.
Mankato MoonDogs’ (13-21, 31-39) Jordan Scheftz would be the bright spot on the hill as he worked the final two innings of the game in shutout fashion and struck out three. Christoph Bono would add two hits in three trips and would collect one RBI. Mikel Mucha would go 1-for-4 with one RBI.
Offensively for the Rox, Austin Athmann would lead the way going 2-for-3 with three RBI’s
The win would go to Gilbreath (5-0), taking the loss would be Tyler Leibert (0-2) and Trevor Charpie (10) would grab the save.
Game two would start as a different story. The MoonDogs would jump on Rox starter Chris Farish (1-2) for four runs in 1 1/3 innings. He would walk four, only allowing two hits.
Despite being down early the Rox would strike for two runs in the sixth, and three in the seventh to for force extra innings. The Rox would finish the job in the top of the eight as they tallied the eventual winning run.
Patience at the plate would net the MoonDogs nine walks, while only recording three hits in the loss.
MoonDogs pitchers, Austin Warner, Cody O’Brien, and Samuel Myers, would combine to shutout the Rox through the first five innings and only allowing 4 hits.
Offensively for the MoonDogs David Metzgar would go 2-for-3 and added one RBI. Brinn Bell would be the only other MoonDog to reach base by way of a hit.
For the Rox Brett Pope would lead the way going 2-for-5 with three RBI’s. Austin Athmann would go 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Brian Glowicki (5-0) would pick up the win, Gant Hamiltion (3-3) would take the loss.
The MoonDogs continue their homestand tomorrow, Saturday, as they open up the final two games of the season against the Eau Claire Express. Saturday is Strikin' Out Cancer Night presented by Hooligans and H&R Block and Girl Scout Night. The MoonDogs will be hosting various fundraisers to support the American Cancer Society throughout the night at The Frank. Sunday is Fan Appreciation Night with a Post Game Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Crystal Valley Coop, Radio Mankato, and KEYC. First pitch both nights is 6:05PM, with gates opening at 5:05PM. Tickets can still be purchased online at www.mankatomoondogs.com, over the phone at (507) 625-7047, or at the office located at 1221 Caledonia St.
"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.” – See more at: http://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/2015/08/06/mother-nature-sends-moondogs-home/#sthash.XvvZ1246.dpuf
