(Mankato, MN) Carlos Ramirez (Chandler-Gilbert) went 2-for-2 on the evening and reached base four times (walking twice), while teammates C.J. Belanger (Cal-State Northridge) and Brett Krill (UCLA) each went 2-for-3 and scored two runs helping the Mankato MoonDogs (4-1, 24-15) to a 6-3 victory over Battle Creek (1-4, 11-28) on Wednesday night. The MoonDogs offense produced 11 hits, and the six runs of support was enough for starter Bryan Longpre (Grossmont JC) who went eight innings allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits. Longpre struck out four in the game and only allowed one walk.

Battle Creek jumped on Longpre early in the first inning, taking a quick 1-0 nothing lead, but the MoonDogs offense came alive in the second with Belanger and Krill each scoring in the bottom of the inning. The MoonDogs would add an additional run in the third and three in the fourth. A double by Ramirez in the third and a double by Tony Strazzara (San Diego) in the fourth put runners in scoring position and allowed Kyle Knudson (Minnesota) and Bobby Munoz (St. Leo’s) to pick up runs batted in later in these innings.

Longpre moves to 2-1 on the season with the win. Zach Calhoon (Texas-San Antonio) came into the game in the ninth and struck out the side to record his second save of the season.

The same two teams will square off again on Thursday night with the first pitch scheduled to be thrown at 7:05pm. Tomorrow night will be Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader Night presented by KDOG.