6/16/05) Trying to gain some ground in the standings, the MoonDogs looked to tame the Duluth Huskies Thursday night in front of their home crowd. The MoonDogs did it all as the pitching staff coupled with an offensive explosion, catapulted the MoonDogs to a 14-0 trouncing of the Huskies.
The explosion began in the bottom of the second inning when the MoonDogs loaded the bases. Reid Fronk came inches away from a grand slam putting the ball off the centerfield wall. Two batters later, with the bases still loaded, Shane Buschini blasted a grand slam over centerfield wall, his second grand slam in less than a week. When the second inning came to a close, the MoonDogs had taken complete control of the game with a 7-0 lead.
The massacre continued as the MoonDogs scattered seven hits in the sixth inning highlighted by a solo shot by second baseman, B.J. Wheeler. Shane Buschini took over the league leading spot in RBI (15) after he tripled down the right field line to score two more runs. Buschini finished with 6 RBI, 2 runs, and a walk in his 2-4 night at the dish.
After putting up 5 runs in the sixth inning and taking a commanding 12-0 lead, Joey Haug was relieved by Kevin Regan. Haug was incredible in his winning performance, making batters look befuddled at the plated by striking out nine batters and giving up just 4 hits while shutting out the Huskies through six innings. Striking out four batters and surrendering no hits in his two innings of work, Regan increased his league leading total number of appearances to ten until handing the game over to Derek Tarapacki. Tarapacki pitched a perfect ninth to secure the combined shutout and the 14-0 annihilation of the Huskies.
Aaron Grant, Reid Fronk and Matt Mossey all had big nights on the offensive side. Grant had three hits in five at bats with two runs, two RBI, one stolen base, one walk and a double. Fronk also had three hits in the ball game while scoring 2 runs and batting in 2 RBI. Shortstop Matt Mossey walked twice and singled in four at bats for the ‘Dogs while scoring three runs and driving in one run.
The MoonDogs and Huskies will continue play at "The Frank” on Friday, June 17, at 7:05. Kids wearing their MAYBA jerseys will get in free to celebrate "MAYBA Night”. For tickets call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.
