Mankato, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs started the series against the Thunder Bay Border Cats with a 5 to 3 win.

In front of 1,022 fans the MoonDogs showed some offensive spark and solid pitching to beat the Border Cats. Jordan Steranka (Penn State) started the action in the first with a two out single and advanced to second on an error. The MoonDogs’ cleanup hitter Robbie Robinson (Valparaiso) drove him in with a single to left field but was thrown out at second for the last out of the inning.

The MoonDogs never looked back as Blake Schwartz (Minn. State) had a solid outing, going six innings giving up one run and striking out five Cats. Catcher Bobby Jacobs (Penn State) added to the run total with an RBI double in the fourth, while left fielder Danny Miller (Minn. State) capped off the MoonDogs scoring with a solo homerun in the sixth. Chase Joiner (U of Memphis) came in for the eighth and ninth innings to close the game.

The Cats left the tying runs on second and third base as Joiner struck out Cats’ left fielder Ken Battiston (U of Michigan) to earn his third save of the season.

The MoonDogs remain at home tomorrow to face the Border Cats at 7:05 p.m. at Franklin Rogers Park. It will be Subway Mini-Bat Giveaway night. The first 500 youth fans get a MoonDogs mini-bat courtesy of Subway.