The Bismarck Larks defeated the Mankato Moondogs on Saturday, July 20th for their second consecutive win by a final score of 8-5. Tonight’s game was presented by KFYR- TV. The Larks scored eight runs, so if you attended the game this evening and want to claim your free donut, visit a Bearscat Bakehouse location in the Bismarck-Mandan area on Monday. Brian Leonhardt’s 3.2 innings out of the bullpen kept the Larks in the game as Leonhardt picked up his first victory of the season while striking out seven Moondogs in the process.

What’s Next: The Bismarck Larks again face off against the Mankato Moondogs on July 21st at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, the Home of Dakota Community Bank & Trust Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 pm.

How it Happened: In the top of the first inning the Moondogs got on the board first with four runs. The first two runs came across after five consecutive one-out singles for the Moondogs. Then with two outs, Tyler Casagrande doubled to score two more for Mankato to increase their lead to 4-0 through the top of the first inning. 

The Larks scored three unanswered runs in the next two innings cutting the deficit to just one. In the first, Wyatt Ulrich and Zack Gregory led off the inning with back-to-back walks before Alex Peterson singled to center field to load the bases. Clay Woeste then drove in a run with a hit by a pitch to score Ulrich. In the second, the Larks were awarded three free bases before Alex Peterson drove in two runs with two outs to make the score 4-3.

The Moondogs scored a run on an RBI groundout to increase their lead to 5-3 in the top of the fifth inning.

The Larks then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with four runs. Clay Woeste singled, then stole second before Cooper Bowman drove in Woeste with an RBI single to right-center field for the first run. After Bowman advanced to second on a fielding error on the Moondogs right fielder, Stephen Baughan then reached on an error. With first and third and two outs, Brody Tanksley loaded the bases for Wyatt Ulrich. Mr. Lark then delivered a bases clearing triple to take the lead for the Larks by a score of 7-5.

Stephen Baughan then hit his 5th bomb of the season and his first at home to add one more insurance run for the Larks to make it 8-5 through seven innings.

Corey Treyes threw 4.1 innings in a spot start for the Larks which was his 3rd consecutive start on the mound. Treyes allowed four runs in the start but his final three and a half frames were scoreless. 

Brian Leonhardt was first out of the bullpen for the Larks and he was fantastic en route to winning player of the game. Leonhardt got 11 outs in his outing and seven of them were strikeouts. Leonhardt only allowed two hits in the outing and was dominant from start to finish. Leonhardt struck out the side in the 7th as well.

Fernando Diaz Jr. closed the door for the Larks picking up his first save of the season by getting the final three outs of the game and sealing the second straight close win for the Larks.

Beyond the Boxscore: Zack Gregory walked three times tonight pushing his total on the year to 51 keeping the Northwoods League lead. Clay Woeste stole two bases tonight pushing his total on the season to 29 to take the Northwoods League lead. Additionally, Wyatt Ulrich stole his 25th base this evening putting him at 4th place in the Northwoods League.