Kingfish Fall in Extras to Mankato
Kenosha, Wis. – After battling back to tie the game in the ninth inning, the Kenosha Kingfish fell to the Mankato MoonDogs 7-5 Sunday night at Simmons Field.
The Kingfish (21-13) and MoonDogs (17-16) were locked in a scoreless ball game until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Kingfish scored the first run of the game. Bobby Sheppard singled to lead off the inning and two batters later Jack Sundberg singled him home to give Kenosha a 1-0 lead.
Mankato struck back in the top half of the seventh, striking for three runs. Pinch hitter Hunter Mercado-Hood drove in two runs to give Mankato the lead with a line drive single to right field. Kenosha had a golden opportunity to tie or take the lead in the eighth inning. Jason Scholl doubled to lead off the inning and four batters later Mitch Gasbarro singled him home to make it a 3-2 ball game. With two outs, the Kingfish loaded the bases but Alex Borglin flew out to center to end the threat. Mankato picked up two more runs in the ninth to add to their lead.
The Kingfish entered the ninth trailing 5-2 and then magic struck. Jeremy Vasquez led off with a double. Sheppard, Gasbarro, and Alex Borglin followed with back to back to back singles to make it 5-4. Eric Filia then drove in Gasbarro on a RBI groundout. The Kingfish had the bases loaded but Alex Dunlap grounded out to end the inning.
In the 13th, the MoonDogs broke through, going for two runs to seal the deal. JD Nielsen took the loss for Kenosha after giving up a RBI double to Paul Panaccione. Connor O’Brien earned the win for Mankato after pitching four and two thirds innings of relief.
Kingfish starter Dillon Mazzoccoli pitched six innings for Kenosha, striking out five batters while only allowing two runs on the night. Connor O’Neil started on the mound for Mankato and brought a no hit bid into the sixth inning. O’Neil finished with two runs allowed along with six strikeouts.
The Kingfish fell into a tie for first place in the Northwoods League South Division with the Green Bay Bullfrogs after today’s game. There are two games remaining in the first half, with the first place team from each division earning a guaranteed playoff berth in the Northwoods playoffs in August.
On Tuesday, June 30th, the Kingfish are home to take on the Lakeshore Chinooks at 7:05 p.m. The first 100 fans will receive a goldfish on Good Water Aquatics Goldfish Night. Fans will be given a voucher and then receive the fish when they leave. Good Water Aquatics will be auctioning off a top of the line aquarium valued at $1,000. It is $5 per entry, must be present to win. The winner will be chosen in the seventh inning. Proceeds will go to InVEST Pleasant Prairie. Corona Hawaiian Night will also be taking place at the ballpark. Get your tickets today!
The Kingfish ticket office powered by Platinum Systems office is located at 7817 Sheridan Road and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Kingfish ticket office Powered by Platinum systems is open from 9:00am until the end of the game on home game dates. For more information on 7-game packs, season or group tickets, please log on to kingfishbaseball.com or call 262.653.0900.
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The Kenosha Kingfish are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 115 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 YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.kingfishbaseball.com.
