Waterloo, IA- The Mankato MoonDogs tied a franchise record for wins in a season with win number 42 on Saturday night at Riverfront Stadium with a 10-3 win over the Waterloo Bucks. This year’s team tied the record held by the 2011 MoonDog squad.
Eight of the nine MoonDog batters at least two hits Saturday night, piecing together their 10 runs over 18 hits. Already leading 5-1 after four innings, the Dogs scored four runs in the fifth, highlighted by a Kyle Turner RBI single. Turner remained hot at the plate, collecting a double, two walks, and two runs scored. Turner now has now hit safely in 6 of his last 7 games posting a .423 batting average, with a double, two triples, and eight runs scored.
Mike Avila (1-1) picked up the win for the Mankato MoonDogs, allowing one run on six hits, walking one while striking out four over six innings of work.
Justin Grijalva (0-3) took the loss for the Waterloo Bucks, lasting just three innings, walked five, struck out three, and allowed three runs.
With the win tonight, the Mankato MoonDogs have now secured home field advantage during the division round of the 2012 Northwoods League Postseason. St. Cloud losing to Rochester Saturday night means the Willmar Stingers will make their first postseason appearance in franchise history. Game one of the North Divisional playoffs between the MoonDogs and Stingers will be played at Bill Taunton Stadium in Willmar, with the MoonDogs hosting Game two and three if necessary at Franklin Rogers Park Tuesday night in Mankato.
The Mankato MoonDogs wrap up their 2012 regular season schedule Sunday afternoon with a 3:05pm start in Waterloo. A win for the MoonDogs will give them a franchise record 43 wins. Matt Borens (0-1) will make his second start of the season for Mankato.
Tickets for the playoff games on Tuesday and Wednesday at Franklin Rogers Park are now on sale at the MoonDogs ticket office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information visit our website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.
