Mankato, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs lost to the Rochester Honkers 4 to 3 Thursday night at Franklin Rogers Park.

The Honkers were the first to score in the fifth inning on a two run double by Josef Terry (Cerritos College). They tacked on one more on an error by the MoonDogs’ second baseman J Golden (Blackhawk JC). The ‘Dogs answered in the eighth inning with the bases loaded when third baseman Jordan Steranka (Penn State) hit a bases clearing double to tie the game. The Honkers got the winning across run in the ninth inning on a MoonDog error.

Pitcher Jonathan Montoya (Cal State Bakersfield) went four innings, allowed two runs on four hits. His opponent on the mound Mike Strong (Oklahoma state) went six innings, allowed no runs on five hits and struck out three MoonDogs. Rochester’s Anthony Lopez (Cal State Los Angeles) got the win and MoonDogs’ Logan Frame (St. Ambrose) took the loss.

Steranka went two for four with all three runs batted in. Golden went one for three with a run scored.

The MoonDogs are at Rochester tomorrow night but return home Saturday for a third game with the Honkers at 7:05 p.m. at Franklin Rogers Park. It will be Star Wars Night presented by KXLP so come out and enjoy a ball game with your favorite Star Wars characters.