The Bismarck Larks fell to the Mankato Moondogs in both games of Thursday’s 4th of July doubleheader by scores of 11-5 and 5-2. Both games were scheduled to be 7 innings long but the first game ended in the 8th as the game was pushed to extra innings. The Larks have now lost to the Moondogs twice in extra innings this season.

What’s Next: The Larks will host the Moondogs once again on Friday, July 5th at Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, home of Dakota Community Bank and Trust Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:35pm.

How It Happened (Game 1): The Larks and Moondogs had a pitcher’s duel going through the first five innings as the game was locked in a scoreless tie. Bradley Collins had his second straight strong start of the season going 5-plus innings allowing just two runs and striking out three in the outing. 

The Moondogs got on the board first in the sixth inning with two runs before scoring two more in the top of the 7th inning against the Larks bullpen.

The Larks then climbed back into the game on their last opportunity at the plate with 4 runs in the 7th inning. Matt Warkentin drove in the tying runs with a 1-out double down the third baseline to tie the game at 4 and send it into extras.

In extra innings, the Larks allowed 7 runs in the 8th inning before getting just one run back in the bottom half of the inning and ending the game with a final score of 11-5.

How It Happened (Game 2): The Moondogs continued their momentum into the nightcap of the doubleheader scoring two runs in the top of the 1st inning off of starting pitcher Hunter Kloke. The Larks cut the deficit in half in the 2nd inning with a two-out RBI single from Alex Peterson, who was back in the starting lineup for the first time since his collision with Zack Gregory in shallow right field a week ago in a game against the Rochester Honkers.

With the score at 2-1, the Moondogs added three more runs on home runs. A two-run shot from Tanner Craig and a solo home run from Adan Fernandez added some insurance for Mankato. 

Trailing 5-1, the Larks added a run in the 7th inning on a two-out RBI triple from Matt Warkentin. That was as close as the Larks got in the game however, as they lost by a final score of 5-2.