Waterloo, Iowa – The Mankato MoonDogs have been generous to baseball fans this summer, giving those at the ballpark plenty of free baseball in the form of three extra inning affairs just nine games into the season. Jimmy Patterson (Central Arizona) sent Waterloo Bucks fans disappointed Friday, as his 12th inning single scored Chris Murrill (Nicholls State) as the MoonDogs dropped the Bucks 3-2 at Riverfront Stadium.

Patterson’s game-winner solved Bucks reliever Bob Lackovic, who had come into the final frame allowing just one hit in three innings, and gave the ‘Dogs their third win in their last four games despite being outhit 13-8 on the evening.

Most of the scoring came back in the fifth inning, as the MoonDogs put a crooked number up in the fifth with two runs. Murrill brought home Xorge Carillo (Central Arizona) with a single for the first run, and was followed by Nick Judkins (Iowa Central) scoring him with the second RBI single of the inning. The Bucks would answer in bottom of the inning with a run of their own to make it a 2-1 game.

It stood that way until the ninth, the Bucks got to MoonDog closer Josh Castanza (Minnesota State) for one run to tie the game at two, before Patterson finally came through in the ninth.

It was the sixth one-run ballgame for the MoonDogs, as they are 3-3 in those contests. There has been just one game that hasn’t been decided by two runs or less this season for the ‘Dogs.

Murrill provided half the MoonDog hits, going 4-6 with two runs an RBI and a stolen base. He now leads the team with four swipes this season. Trever Adams and Phil Keppler both had three hits to pace the Bucks.

Tony Manville (Northern Illinois) posted his first win of the season, going three innings in relief and striking out three. Lackovic took the loss, allowing three hits and striking out three in his relief stint.

The MoonDogs finish their stay in Waterloo tomorrow, before heading into their first day off. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. back at Riverfront Stadium.