MANKATO, Minn.– The Mankato MoonDogs ended the Willmar Stingers’ season Wednesday in a 7-3 win at the Frank to advance to the Northwoods league Championship Series for the second year in a row.

The ‘Dogs will be matched up v. the La Crosse Loggers who clinched the South Division in just two games earlier in the week.

Davis Henderson (Oklahoma City) started for the MoonDogs on the bump and went 5.1 innings, had six strikeouts, giving up three hits, and only letting one Stinger run across the plate.

Kevin Corey (Chabot) then came in for relief after a short rest from throwing in Tuesday’s game, went 3.2 innings, struck out four Willmar batters, gave up just one hit.

Danny Murphy (Jefferson CC) was a key hitter Wednesday as he went 2-3 as the lead-off hitter
and scored a run for his team.

Kyle Turner (Missouri Baptist) went 2-4 at the plate and had a run batted in, and Craig Massoni (Chabot) went 2-4 with two runs scored for the MoonDogs.

Audie Afenir (Palomar) went 1-4 on the game and delivered his first homerun blast for his team on the season, he scored one run, and two runs batted in for the ‘Dogs.

The MoonDogs redeemed themselves after getting shutout in game two of the playoff series. Key hits were put in to play, and the MoonDogs ran the bases extremely well, which resulted in extra insurance runs to keep the Willmar Stingers down.

Throughout the tough second half of the season the ‘Dogs have come together as a team to fully live up to their potential. Just in time for the Championship series v. the La Crosse Loggers.

The MoonDogs will play the first game of the Championship Series at home Thursday night at the Frank against the Loggers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. and gates set to open at 6:05 p.m.

Championship Series tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information, visit our website www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.