(Mankato, MN) – A giant two-run homerun by left fielder Alan Oaks in the fifth and another seventh inning two-run homer by right fielder CJ Belanger helped the MoonDogs (11-15) even up the series against the Huskies (16-10) with a 5-3 victory Wednesday night in Mankato. The pair of blasts helped out starter Garett Claypool, who had a solid night for the MoonDogs, and reliever Adam Abraham (2-0), who took the win for the MoonDogs.
Belanger was 2-for-4 on the evening, driving in two runs on his first homerun of the year and scoring once. Oaks finished the evening 1-for-4 and also scored once and drove in two on his lengthy homerun. Third baseman Nate Hanson had another effective night, going 2-for-4 and driving in his ninth run of the season. Catcher Mike Melillo recorded a double in the game and scored on Oaks blast. Center fielder Jaime Armendariz was 2-for-3 and scored once. Second baseman Bobby Munoz also recorded a hit and scored once.
Claypool went 5 1/3 innings, giving up just one run on three hits. Reliever Adam Abraham gave up one run on just two hits in 2 2/3 innings pitched on his way to recording the win. Closer Chad Dawson finished off the game, going one inning and allowing one unearned run on one hit for his third save of the season.
The Huskies were led by catcher Logan Gelbrich, who was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Shortstop Kevin Hansen also had a hit and drove in one, and outfielders Chris House and Nick Sullivan and first baseman Tony Plagman each scored once for Duluth.
Huskies starter Shaeffer Hall went five innings, giving up two runs on six hits while striking out six. Reliever Tommy Luce gave up one run in an inning and a third, and Josh Syberg gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits. Mike Nesseth finished off the game for the Huskies, throwing 1 1/3 hitless innings.
The MoonDogs are home again tomorrow night against the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Tomorrow night’s game starts at 7:05 pm at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato. It’s Hickory Tech T-shirt Givewaway and Phonebook Recycling Night. Bring a Hickory Tech phone book to be recycled and receive a free ticket to a future MoonDogs home game.
