La Crosse, Wisc.- Mankato hits three 2-run home runs in a victory over the La Crosse Loggers in Copeland Park.
La Crosse threatened with a walk and a single to start the game with no outs. MoonDogs’ starting pitcher Josh Matheson (Mankato) picked off Mason McCoy (Iowa) at 2nd base. The next two Loggers flied out, ending the inning.
The Loggers were back at it in the 2nd, and this time they got on the board. Justin Wylie (San Diego State) walked to lead off the inning. He ended up scoring on a wild pitch.
Mankato got on the board in a big way in the 3rd inning. After a leadoff walk, Drew Fearing (North Dakota State) homered to center field to give Mankato the lead. After another walk, this time with one out, Jake Shepski (Notre Dame) doubled to deep right-center field. A relay throw from Grant Fennell (Nevada) in center threw out Jordan Washam (Louisiana Tech) at home plate.
The MoonDogs poured it on with 3 hits and a fielder’s choice, scoring 2 runs to start the 5th inning. Bryce Adams (LSU) topped it off with Mankato’s 3rd 2-run home run of the game, giving the MoonDogs a 8-1 lead.
La Crosse put together a pair of runs in the 7th inning on back-to-back doubles by Mason McCoy and Griffin Conine (Duke) and an error by the MoonDogs left fielder Gavin Wehby (Nicholls State). Mason broke two team career records in the inning. His 27th double and 98th run set both marks in the record books. Mankato added a run late, taking the game 9-3.
Josh Matheson earns his 2nd victory (2-1) with his 6 innings start. He surrender a lone run on 5 hits. He walked 4 and also struck out 4 batters.
Zach Kesterson (Duke) took his 3rd loss of the season (1-3). He went 4+ innings, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 4 batters.
La Crosse drops their 3rd straight game, falling to 16-17. This is the 1st time La Crosse has been below .500 since June 10th, after the 2nd game of their 8-game win streak. Mankato stays alive in the 1st Half Championship race (21-12). They still trail the leading Rox by 2.5 games with 3 games remaining. La Crosse and Mankato face off again tomorrow at a special 6:05 Sunday start time. Gates open at 5 pm.
