(Mankato, MN) Even though they had their playoff hopes crushed, the MoonDogs continued their second half surge with two great games in Alexandria to finish the 2007 season. On Saturday, the MoonDogs (17-15, 34-32) pounded out 18 hits en route to a 15-6 win against the Beetles. On Sunday, the MoonDogs (18-15, 35-32) needed extra innings to complete the series finale with a 6-2 victory in 10 innings over the same Beetles squad.

Game 1: One night after being eliminated from the playoffs, the MoonDogs offense took out some frustration against the Beetles pitching staff. After one run in the second inning, the MoonDogs proceeded to score four runs in the third inning, four runs in the fifth inning, and six runs in the seventh inning.

The first three hitters in the MoonDogs lineup (CJ Belanger, Sean Nicol, and Nate Hanson) went a combined 9-for-18 with a double, five runs scored and seven runs batted in. Other notable hitters were Jovan Rodriquez who finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored and two runs batted in and Jaime Armendariz who went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and four runs batted in. Overall, the 15 runs was a MoonDogs season high and 18 hits tied a season best.

On the mound, Chirs Bennett (W, 3-1) had another solid performance and picked up his third win in four games started this season. He finished with six innings pitched, giving up three runs, one earned, on five hits. Alexandria starter Matt Drummond (L, 2-3) picked up the loss. Drummond went three innings and allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits.

Game 2: Back-to-back home runs by Sean Nicol and Jeff DeSmidt in the tenth inning paced the MoonDogs to a 6-2 win and a series sweep of the Beetles.

After the MoonDogs lost a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, they took matters into their own hands in the top of the tenth inning. A four run burst in the tenth inning against Beetles relief pitcher Andrew Robinson (L, 5-5) was led by back-to-back home runs by a two-run home run by Sean Nicol and a solo home run by Jeff DeSmidt. DeSmidts blast made the score 6-2 and allowed pitcher Chad Dawson (W, 1-1) to pitch his second inning of work and pick up his first win of the season.

MoonDogs starter Brendan Lafferty went six innings, giving up one run on three hits with four strike outs. In the victory, Dawson would finish with two innings pitched giving up one unearned run, on two hits, with three strike outs. The MoonDogs offense was led by CJ Belanger who went 3-for-4 with one run scored and one run batted in. Belanger finished the two-game series going 6-for-10 with three runs scored and three runs batted in.

With the victory, the MoonDogs finished the 2007 Northwoods League season with 35 wins, a club record. The MoonDogs also won 10 games out of their last 13 games to finish in second place in the second half of the North Division.

The MoonDogs would like to thank all sponsors, host families and fans for making the 2007 season a great one. Check back soon to see which MoonDog players earn post-season awards and any other news. For more information, please go to www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs Office at 507-625-7047.