(Mankato, MN) – The MoonDogs (4-6, 21-23) brought in designated hitter Adam Abraham (4-0) to close out a tight situation in the top of the ninth inning against the La Crosse Loggers (3-7, 20-23), and Abraham ended up helping himself with a bases loaded walk-off single on a shot to right center field in the bottom of the ninth to break an 8-8 tie Wednesday night in Mankato. The MoonDogs also got blasts from catcher Ben Geelan and first baseman Mike Lobacz in the 9-8 victory.

The MoonDogs had plenty of hits for the second consecutive night, torching the Logger pitching for fourteen hits. Lobacz finished 3-for-5 with a double, home run, run scored, and two RBI. Second baseman Jason Christian fell a home run short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a double, triple, run scored, and two RBI. Third baseman Nate Hanson also recorded a three-hit night, finishing with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Geelan finished 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI. Left fielder Jaime Armendariz scored twice for the MoonDogs.

MoonDogs starter Garett Claypool took a no-hitter into the fifth, but ran into trouble when Loggers left fielder Eric Thames hit a grand slam to break up the no-hitter and the shutout. Claypool recovered, going six innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on just three hits while striking out six. Reliever Danny Keefe gave up three runs in an inning pitched, and Tom Porter struck out one while also throwing an inning. In the ninth, Josh Castanza recorded the first two outs, but ran into a bit of trouble, leading to Adam Abraham entering the game to record the final out of the ninth inning and help himself to the victory.

The Loggers recorded just seven hits, but managed to plate eight runs on the evening led by Thames, who finished the evening 2-for-5 with the grand slam. Catcher Dan Buchholz recorded the only other Logger extra-base hit. He was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Third baseman Spencer Lucian was 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI for La Crosse.

La Crosse starter Daniel Luczak threw just 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits. Reliever Brad Bjerke threw 3 2/3 innings of relief, giving up four runs on six hits. Reliever Aaron Dott (0-1) would take the loss for the Loggers. Dott was responsible for the final unearned run that would score on a single off Loggers closer Donny Erdall.

The MoonDogs head off tomorrow on a four-game road trip. They return Monday for a four-game homestand. The MoonDogs will host the Alexandria Beetles Monday evening at 7:05 pm at Franklin Rogers Park.