MANKATO, MINN. – The Mankato MoonDogs capitalized on late scoring to hold on to a wild 10-7 victory over the Alexandria Blue Anchors on Friday night at Franklin Rogers Park. 

What started to look like an early rout in favor of the MoonDogs turned into a nail biter, but a three run eighth inning saved the victory for Mankato.

Timothy Arakawa (Oklahoma State) provided the last push the MoonDogs’ offense needed as his single brought in two runs to give Mankato a 10-6 lead, which was enough to withstand one last volley from the Blue Anchors in the ninth.

Alexandria’s struggle to throw strikes throughout the game proved to be their downfall on Friday night, as the game winning run crossed home on a walk.  The Blue Anchors pitching staff combined to toss 16 total walks on the night, including five consecutive in the second inning. 

After falling down 1-0 in the top of the first, Mankato rebounded for a fast start of their own, putting five runs on the board a three hit effort that chased Alexandria starting pitcher Colin Wendinger (0-1) from the game.  The opening-inning barrage was highlighted by a two-RBI double from Jonathan Rodriguez (Oklahoma City).  The double was the beginning of a strong outing from Rodriguez, who finished batting two-for-three with three RBIs. 

The Blue Anchors showed plenty of fight after falling into a 7-1 deficit after two innings with a five-run inning of their own in the fourth.  Alexandria strung out five hits on Mankato starter Ryan Quick (Austin Peay), which led to Donovan Feenstra (Univ. of the Cumberlands) taking over the mound.  Feenstra (1-1) picks up the win after giving up two hits and striking out five over four and a third innings of work.

The game was locked at a 7-6 stalemate from the fifth to the seventh innings, where Mankato had to deal with both a threatening Blue Anchors team and a lurking rain storm, which began to fall in the late innings.  Luckily for both sides the game ended right before a heavy downpour began to fall on the players and fans in attendance.

The MoonDogs and Blue Anchors finish up their two-game set Saturday night at the Frank, first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.  The game features a grill giveaway presented by Blue Earth County Pork Producers, Protein Sources and Minnesota 93. Season and single game tickets are on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street in Mankato.  For more information visit the teams website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the office a 507-625-7047.