MANKATO, MINN.— The Mankato Moondogs were unable to recover from a rocky start and fell to the Rochester Honkers by a score of 11-4 on a rainy home and Northwoods League opener on Wednesday night at Franklin Rogers Park. 

Three errors committed and six runs allowed over the first three innings saw the MoonDogs into an early hole, one they were unable to recover from.  Each of the first four Rochester runs scored were unearned, highlighting a rough start for the Mankato fielders.

While the MoonDogs were able to remain within striking distance in the early innings, four more runs by the Honkers in the fifth put to rest any hope of a Mankato comeback.

Both teams battled the elements on a muddy field at Franklin Rogers thanks to a mid-afternoon downpour that tested the grounds crew and briefly found the game in jeopardy.  Even with the soggy conditions the teams played on, although a brief rain delay in the middle of the seventh inning left players and fans alike running for dry ground.

Jonathan Rodriguez (Oklahoma City) had a successful opener at the plate for the MoonDogs, going two for four adding two RBIs on a sixth inning double. 

Jon Woodcock (Crowder Junior College) earns the win for Rochester, after going four innings and striking out five.  Brian Schwarzbach was efficient in relief, picking up the save after throwing four innings without giving up an earned run.

Rob Cerfolio (Yale) picks up the opening night loss for the MoonDogs, after giving up 6 runs (2 unearned) in three innings.  Jess Amedee (Central Arizona), Dan Mooney (Ohio Dominican), and Keelan Prince (Western Illinois) each made their season debuts in relief for the MoonDogs.

The two teams head to Rochester tomorrow night in game two of the series at Mayo Park, first pitch is at 705 p.m.