The Bombers took game one of the Summer Collegiate World Series on Thursday in an 11-6 blowout of the Mankato Moondogs in Minnesota on the back on an 11-hour busride that  morning.

Battle Creek seemed initially outmatched, when Mankato’s starting pitcher Sam Selman struck out the side in the first, and the Moondogs then pounced and scored two on Ben Ballantine in the home half. But the Bombers battled back soon enough when Bryce Redeker belted a homerun in the second before the team erupted for five runs in the third inning. It was smooth sailing from there on out, with Troy White, and Bryce Redeker contributing pairs of RBIs, but the true standout was Danny Rockett, who smashed two homeruns for three RBIs and had an astounding diving catch in centerfield to save a run.

Ballantine went six innings for the Bombers in the start and allowed five runs while striking out three, and Alex Tukey went the rest of the way, allowing just a run in three innings of relief.

The Bombers will attempt to win the Northwoods League Championship Friday night at C.O. Brown Stadium ina 7:05 start with the Moondogs against the ropes.