(Mankato, MN) the Brainerd Blue Thunder jumped on MoonDog starter Brendan Lafferty (UCLA) early scoring one run in the first inning and two in the second. The MoonDogs made a comeback attempt in the fourth and fifth innings scoring three runs of their own, but it would not be enough as Brainerd added two more runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth. The Blue Thunder would tack on two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring the score to 7-3, which turned out to be the final score.

Lafferty pitched a complete game for the MoonDogs allowing seven runs on eleven hits. Lafferty struggled with his control issuing six walks to the Brainerd batters, but he countered this with six strikeouts as well. Brainerd starter Adam Kohls also pitched a complete game allowing four runs on seven hits while also striking out six and allowing three walks.

Bobby Munoz (St. Leo’s) led the MoonDogs offensively going 2-for-5 with two runs driven in. Mike Lobacz and Kyle Knudson (Minnesota) each went 1-for-4 with an RBI and Lobacz added a run scored to his stat line. Cory Harrilchak (Elon) and Tony Strazzara (San Diego) were also 1-for-4 with a run scored apiece.

The loss drops the MoonDogs out of a tie for first with the Thunder Bay Border Cats in the second half dropping their record to 17-10. The Blue Thunder improve their second half record to 10-20 with the victory. In the overall standings, Mankato and Thunder Bay are currently tied at the top of the North Division standings at 37-24. Brainerd’s overall record improves to 20-39 with the win. The MoonDogs and the Blue Thunder will square off again on Tuesday night with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35pm.