(Mankato, MN) The MoonDogs trailed the Rochester Honkers 2-0 going into the top of the ninth inning. Carlos Ramirez (Chandler-Gilbert CC) reached leading off the inning being hit by a pitch. Wes Freie (Iowa) followed this with a double that put runners on second and third with nobody out. A Mike Lobacz (Elon) pop up and a Tony Strazzara (San Diego) strikeout put the pressure on Brett Krill (UCLA) with two outs, but the left fielder came through in the clutch with a single that drove in Ramirez. Freie rounded third and headed for home looking like he would beat the ball in from the right field and tie the game up at two, but a delayed call by the home plate umpire allowed the catcher to re-tag the base runner and the third out was called.
The game began as a pitching duel as Zach Robertson (Iowa Central CC) and Ryan Demmin (UW-Oshkosh) each had great outings through the first seven innings of play. Demmin looked a little shaky allowing a lead-off home run to the first batter he faced, but settled down allowing only two runs in the game on six hits while walking three and striking out seven. As good as the stat line was, Robertson’s was just a little stronger as he also went seven innings allowing only two hits while walking three and striking out a season-high eleven. The Rochester starter added to his league leading strikeout total giving him 87 on the season.
The MoonDogs appeared as if they would come out quick as Bobby Munoz (St. Leo’s) took Robertson’s first pitch of the game and drove right back up the middle for a lead-off single, but the MoonDogs could not come up with a run producing hit. Cory Harrilchak (Elon) and CJ Belanger (Cal-State Northridge) joined Munoz, Freie, and Krill as the only batters to pick up hits in the contest.
The MoonDogs will look to reverse their fortunes on Friday and Saturday as they travel to St. Cloud to take on the River Bats in a two-game series. The last time the MoonDogs faced the River Bats, the St. Cloud team swept a two-game series at Franklin Rogers Park from the Mankato squad. The MoonDogs will look to return the favor when they visit Joe Faber Field this weekend. The first pitch for both of these games is scheduled for 7:05pm.
