Mankato, Minn. – After a nail-biting 4-2 loss in game one for the MoonDogs, those in attendance were treated to free baseball in game two. A lot of it. The ‘Dogs scored three runs in the bottom of the 12th, as Ryan Durant posted a two-run single, and Jimmy Patterson provided the game-winning bloop single, giving the MoonDogs a 3-2 win in 12 innings, and a doubleheader split with the Green Bay Bullfrogs.

With Dixon Anderson (California) trying for his second save of the day, the MoonDogs rallied as Kenny Held (Central Arizona) was hit by a pitch with one out. KC Serna (Oregon) singled and A.J. Pettersen (Minnesota) walked to load the bases. After a flyout, the MoonDogs rallied with two outs. Durant (Iowa) lined an RBI single to right, and two batters later was followed by Patterson’s (Central Arizona) single for the victory.

It looked bleak going into the inning, however, as the Bullfrogs rallied for a pair of runs off Adam Jung (Central Arizona). With John Semel (Chapman) and Aaron Conway (Missouri State) standing on second and third with two out. Chris Schaeffer (North Carolina State) came through with what appeared to be the winning hit, as he looped a ball just past a diving Durant in centerfield for the short-lived lead.

A pair of relievers making their first starts stole the show early in the game, as Alex Burgos (Manatee CC) and Scott Fern (Minnesota) put up two outstanding efforts. Burgos made his first start of the summer for Mankato (13-7) and he did not dissapoint. He allowed just four hits, striking out three in throwing 82 pitches. Scott Fern was just as tough for Green Bay (8-11), as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning of the scheduled seven inning game.

Durant led all hitters in game two, as he posted three hits in the second game. Conway had two hits for the Bullfrogs, as he stole four bases on the game.

Anderson took the loss in game two, falling to 0-1. Josh Castanza (Minnesota State) pitched to one batter in the top of the 12th, earning the win (1-0).

In game one, the Bullfrogs came back on a tiring Tim Griffin (Rollins) in the seventh. With the MoonDogs up 2-1 Schaeffer walked and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Riley Henricks (Portland) came up with a clutch hit, looping a double down the right field line to tie the game. After another single by Sam VandenHeuvel (Rhode Island), the Bullfrogs executed a double steal, as VandenHeuvel stole second, and Henricks beat the throw home from KC Serna (Oregon). VandenHeuvel came around on a single to give the Bullfrogs an insurance run and a 4-2 lead.

Anderson came out of the Bullfrog pen to retire the ‘Dogs in order for his fourth save. Matthew Campbell (Brown) was the winner, moving to 1-0 by throwing two frames of scoreless relief. Griffin suffered the loss, striking out seven in his six-plus innings of work

Seven different MoonDogs had hits in the game, as Cody Fick (Evansville) was the only Dog with two. VandenHeuvel recorded the only Bullfrog RBI and was the only Frog with multiple hits finishing with two.

The MoonDogs jumped out in front in the second with an unearned run. Xorge Carillo (Central Arizona) came around on a Green Bay throwing error to put the Dogs in front. The next inning, Jimmy Patterson (Central Arizona) singled home Pettersen for a 2-0 lead. The Bullfrogs made it a 2-1 game with a run in the fourth before their seventh inning rally.

It was the first time the MoonDogs had lost with a lead after the seventh and the first defeat when outhitting their opponents. With the split, the MoonDogs improved their sterling home record to 8-2

The MoonDogs will be at home again tomorrow, as they take on the Thunder Bay Border Cats. Green Bay will head to La Crosse to face the Loggers. Both games are slated for a 7:05 start. Thursday’s game in Mankato will be College Night. Tickets for all students, staff and alumni of the four local colleges will get in for half price.