Mankato, Minn. – Ryan Demmin was nearly untouchable and Lance Ray provided the only runs the MoonDogs would need, as the ‘Dogs topped Thunder Bay 3-1 Monday evening at Franklin Rogers Park for their third straight win.

Demmin (UW-Oshkosh) threw seven strong innings, allowing just three hits and striking out nine Border Cat hitters to move to 2-1 on the season. Adam Jung (Central Arizona) threw the last two innings, striking out three to record his first save.

The MoonDogs (7-4) jumped on top of a road-weary Thunder Bay squad with two runs in the bottom of the first. With Tony Strazzara (San Diego) on first and Ryan Durant (Iowa) on second, Ray (Western Nevada) laced a deep shot to center field that hit the base of the wall to plate both runners.

The MoonDogs would make that stand up, but Thunder Bay closed the gap in the seventh. Ryan Honeycutt was hit by a Demmin fastball to start the inning, and two batters later, Cameron Smith doubled him in with a shot to the wall in left to make it 2-1.

That’s as close as the Cats would get, as the ‘Dogs added an insurance run in the eighth. With Durant on third with two outs, Jimmy Patterson (Central Arizona) hit a hard ground ball that caromed off pitcher Matthew Singers leg, going for an infield single and 3-1 MoonDogs lead.

Jung slammed the door from there, retiring the side in order in both the eighth and ninth. Andrew Schugel took the loss for the Border Cats, who fell to a North Division worst 2-9.

Strazzara was the lone MoonDog with multiple hits, going 2-2 with a run. Nick Judkins (Iowa Central) saw his five-game hit streak end, as he was 0-3. Judkins came into the game hitting a team-best .357.

The two squads will meet again Tuesday at Franklin Rogers Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.