(Alexandria, MN) – Right fielder James Keithley hit his first homerun of the year and center fielder CJ Belanger produced four hits, but the MoonDogs (4-10) could not overcome their own defensive mistakes as the Beetles (10-4) took the win, 8-5. Belanger finished 4-for-4 with a run scored.

In addition to Belanger and Keithley, left fielder Ben Geelan was 2-for-4, hitting his fifth double of the season with two RBI. Shortstop Sean Nicol was 1-for-5 with a double, a run scored, and two RBI. First baseman Mike Lobacz hit a triple and scored once, and Bobby Munoz also scored once on Thursday night.

Starter Matt Mossey (1-2) went six innings, giving up four earned runs on 12 hits while striking out three. Reliever Tom Porter made his first appearance for the MoonDogs, going one inning and giving up one run on one hit and striking out one. Blake Devries threw a scoreless eighth inning, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Alexandria recorded 14 hits, most notably center fielder Josh Upchurch, who was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI, and designated hitter Keith Castillo was 2-for-4, hitting his second homerun of the season, while scoring twice and driving in one. Catcher Blake Murphy and left fielder Gunner Glad each had two hits. Murphy scored once and drove in one, while Glad recorded one RBI. Right fielder Blake Smith also had a notable evening, going 1-for-3, scoring twice and driving in one run.

Beetles starter Andrew Robinson went 4 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. Reliever Robert Dickman (1-0) got the win. He went 1 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit while striking out three. Brian Oliver continued the solid Beetle pitching, throwing two hitless innings. Closer Dallas Caweizell recorded his fourth save of the season after throwing a hitless ninth.

The MoonDogs will finally have a full series at Franklin Rogers Park, starting this evening against the Battle Creek Bombers at 7:05 pm. The MoonDogs have twelve home games over the next fifteen days.