(Mankato, MN) The MoonDogs took an early 1-0 lead for starting pitcher Jimmy Reyes (Elon) on Saturday evening hoping that would be enough run support for the 2-1 left-hander. Reyes pitched seven scoreless innings for Mankato allowing eight hits and striking out eight Duluth batters. His counterpart on the mound, Mike Nesseth, also went seven innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven. Unfortunately, a battle of the bullpens did not end up in the visitor’s favor as Duluth scored a run apiece in the eighth and ninth innings and defeated the MoonDogs 2-1.

Dale Dickerson (Nicholls St.) came in to pitch the eighth for Mankato allowed one run on a hit and a walk. He also struck out one batter, turning the game over to Erik Hamren (UC-Irvine) in the ninth, but Hamren struggled with his control walking two batters and allowing the game winning run to be scored with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

The MoonDogs struggled to generate offense scoring only one run on four hits on the evening. Kyle Knudson (Minnesota) and Brett Krill (UCLA) each had a double in the game, but two singles by Carlos Ramirez (Chandler-Gilbert) and CJ Belanger (Cal-State Northridge) were the only other hits the Mankato bats manage.

The split of the two-game series puts both teams at 1-1 in the second half standings. Mankato will have an off day today before traveling to Alexandria on Monday for a two game set with the Beetles.