ROCHESTER, MINN.— A strong display of base running by Rochester Honkers’ shortstop Toby Thomas in the bottom of the 12th inning was the push Rochester needed to overcome the Mankato MoonDogs in an extra-innings affair Thursday night at Mayo Field by a score of 3-2.
After reaching base on a single, Thomas (Pensacola St.) stole second and third base on consecutive pitches before reaching home on an error by MoonDogs’ catcher Kendall Patrick (Black Hawk College).
The game reached extra innings after Mankato tied the game at two in the top of the ninth inning when Matt Jones (Southern Illinois) scored off of a Jake Ellison (Middle Tennessee St.) foul ball.
For the second straight night, Rochester was able to get on the board early when Matt Halloran (Minnesota) brought in the game’s first run before Mankato could record their first out in the opening frame. MoonDog starting pitcher Shane Henderson (Oklahoma City) only lasted two thirds of an inning before being relieved by Donovan Feenstra (U of the Cumberlands).
After Mankato tied up the game in the second inning, Halloran put the Honkers up a second time with a fifth inning double. Halloran finished the game batting four-for-five notching a pair of RBIs.
The game featured a pair of great pitching performances, as Rochester starter Brandon Stennis (Doane College) lasted six innings giving up only four hits and striking out ten, and MoonDogs right hander Jesse Harbin (Arkansas-Little Rock) shut down the Honkers in the middle innings lasting five and two-third innings giving up only two hits and recording seven strikeouts.
Both games between the two teams have exceeded the three-hour mark, with Thursday night’s match wrapping up at 1244 on Friday morning.
The third and final game of the season-opening series will take place back in Mankato at Franklin Rogers Park Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The game is presented by AM 1230 The Fan Mankato, and the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a free 2013 MoonDogs magnet schedule.
Season and single game tickets are on sale at the MoonDogs 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.
