MANKATO, MINN. – On Sunday night the Mankato MoonDogs found themselves in a familiar position, with a sizable lead early on.  But where recently they have faltered, this time the MoonDogs prevailed as there was no letdown to be had in a 12-5 victory over the Waterloo Bucks at Franklin Rogers Park.

After establishing their lead, Mankato’s ability to control the middle of the game had a lot to do with the play of starting pitcher Cameron Giannini (Southern Mississippi).  Giannini (4-1) was able to dictate the flow of the game, throwing seven innings, including three consecutive innings facing the minimum.  The durable right-hander finished giving up seven hits, three earned runs, and striking out five.

While the MoonDogs’ bullpen has struggled in the past couple weeks, all that was needed from them on Sunday was two solid innings, as Mankato led 11-4 when Giannini exited the game.  Relievers Trey Higgenbotham (New Mexico St.) and Mike Nowak (Dixie State) delivered as they were able to shut the door, giving up one hit apiece.

Although they were down 2-1 after the first inning, Mankato rebounded with a big four-run second highlighted by a three-run home run by Josh Fuentes (Saddleback).  Fuentes finished the game adding another hit, batting two-for-three on the night.  At the plate the MoonDogs also received big games from Tim Arakawa (Oklahoma St.), Woody Woodward (UC Santa Barbara) and Hibraim Cordova (U. of the Cumberlands), each of whom earned three hits against the Bucks’ pitching staff. 

The MoonDogs’ gloves were just as hot as their bats on Sunday, as Mankato was able to stymie Waterloo’s batters with several exceptional defensive plays, particularly by third-baseman Krysthian Leal (Maryland). 

All-in-all it was a complete win for the MoonDogs who look to do the same on the road as the series switches to Waterloo for game three.  Monday night’s game is slated to start at 6:35 p.m. at Riverfront Stadium.  The four-game set finishes back in Mankato on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m.  The game features a MoonDogs poster giveaway before the game and an autograph session afterwards, all sponsored by  Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial and KXLP.

Season and single game tickets are on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street in Mankato.  For more information visit the website at www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the office a 507-625-7047.