(Mankato, MN) – MoonDogs shortstop Sean Nicol produced all the fireworks, blasting a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Waterloo Bucks (10-10, 25-29) beat the MoonDogs (8-11, 25-28) 6-3 Saturday night in Mankato to finish the series with a split. Nicol finished the game 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBI.

The MoonDogs had trouble reaching base, recording just five hits. First baseman Adam Abraham recorded a single and scored on Nicol’s home run. Center fielder Jaime Armendariz also scored.

Starter Jordan Tiegs (3-6) went four innings, giving up four runs on eight hits while striking out five in the loss. Reliever Matt Mossey came in to throw two innings, giving up two runs on four hits. Relievers Josh Castanza, Tom Porter, and Chad Dawson combined to shut out the Bucks the rest of the way with Porter recording three strikeouts in one inning pitched.

Waterloo used fourteen hits on the night to pave their way to six runs. Shortstop Adam Gaylord led the way for the Bucks, going 2-for-4 with a run and two runs batted in. Catcher Brandon Bantz was 1-for-3 with a solo home run. First baseman Brent Milleville and left fielder Jeff Lanning each were 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Right fielder Michael Giller also had two hits and drove in a run.

Bucks starter Josh Rickards (6-2) went six innings, giving up three runs on three hits. He also recorded seven strikeouts. Reliever Josh Schneider threw hitless seventh and eighth innings, while striking out four of the six batters he faced. Closer Tom Close recorded his fourth save of the season after throwing a scoreless ninth inning.

The MoonDogs are off Sunday, but will be back at Franklin Rogers Park on Monday to host the first game of a home-and-away series against the Rochester Honkers. The game is scheduled to start at 7:05 pm.