Eau Claire, Wis. – With the first half locked up, the MoonDogs still looked like a team with much more to play for. Bennett Whitmore hurled a complete game shutout and Cody Fick added three hits as the Dogs swept yet another series with a 4-0 victory over South Division champion Eau Claire at Carson Park.

Whitmore (Oregon) was in control from the outset, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning. The junior picked up his first win (1-1), keeping Express (20-8) hitters off-balance all night by allowing just six hits and striking out three.

Bryan Haar (San Diego) and Fick (Evansville) both belted solo home runs to pace the MoonDog (22-9) offense, as Haar’s came in the second, while Fick’s came in the ninth to seal the victory for the Dogs. Kenny Held (New Mexico) also added two hits and a RBI adding to the 14-hit MoonDog attack.

Rudy Jaramillo (New Mexico) took his first loss of the season (3-1), pitching six innings and allowing two earned runs. The Express had six different players record one hit, as the 1-5 slots in order could only muster two hits for the first half South Division champions.

Mankato will be back at home for a four-game stretch starting tomorrow with a 7:05 tilt with Brainerd Lakes Area. Eau Claire will head westward to Wausau to square off in a 6:35 game with Wisconsin.