The Bismarck Larks fell to the Mankato Moondogs by a final score of 8-3 on Tuesday July 9th. The game was back and forth until the Moondogs took the lead for good late in the game. The Larks will have a rematch on July 10th in Mankato.

What’s Next: The Larks and Mankato Moondogs face off for the final game of the two-game series in Mankato, Minnesota on July 10th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35pm.

How It Happened: Mankato got out in front in the first inning via a 3-run home run off the bat of Josh Elvir. Elvir has now hit 3 home runs against the Larks in his last two games. 

Trailing by 3, the Larks got a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The inning started with 4 consecutive singles for the Larks. The fourth single was an RBI base hit courtesy of Matt Warkentin to make it 3-1. With nobody out and the bases loaded, Brian Leonhardt drove in the second run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2.

The Larks then tied the game in the top of the 6th inning on Matt Warkentin’s first home run of the summer which made the score 3-3.

The Moondogs scored in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead on a perfectly executed first and third situation. The runner at first attempted to steal second on the play and on the throw to second the runner from third scored to take the lead 4-3.

The Moondogs added 4 insurance runs in the 7th inning to put the game out of reach. The Larks were held scoreless the rest of the way as they lost by a final score of 8-3.