(Mankato, MN) Mike Lobacz (Elon) made his first home run of the season a big one with a two-run shot in the bottom of the first inning giving the MoonDogs a 3-0 lead that they would not relinquish for the rest of the contest winning 7-3 in six innings.

Starter Jimmy Dale (MSU-Mankato) (3-2) pitched a six-inning complete game for the MoonDogs allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three. Mike Nesseth went four innings for the Huskies allowing five runs on eight hits claiming his second loss of the season. Similar to his first start in Mankato, Nesseth struggled with his control walking one batter, hitting two, and throwing two wild pitches.

Lobacz was not the only MoonDog with a hot bat on the evening as Bobby Munoz (St. Leo’s), Carlos Ramirez (Chandler-Gilbert), and Ryan Rummel (Texas-San Antonio) all collected two hits in the game. Ramirez drove in two runs on the night and Munoz scored two and drove one in.

The win for the MoonDogs improves their second half record to 5-2, and their overall record to 25-16. The loss is Duluth’s third in a row and drops their second half mark to 3-4, 15-26 overall. The two teams will square off again on Saturday night with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm. The MoonDogs will send all-star Jimmy Reyes (Elon) to the mound to square off against Matt Benedict.