The Mankato MoonDogs dropped the series finale of a home and home series with the Rochester Honkers by a score of 4-0 on Thursday night at Mayo Field in Rochester, MN.
The Honkers, despite being shutout 8-0 at Franklin Rogers Park the night before, came out on a mission. Rochester received stellar starting pitching from Ryan Fritze in the shutout. The right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing just three hits. Jake Campbell came in to shutout the MoonDogs in the final two innings, striking out one and walking one.
Brinn Bell and Logan Gray provided the only offense on the night for the MoonDogs. Bell continues to swing a hot bat as the MoonDogs’ right fielder went 2-4 with a rocket double to right-centerfield.
Ethan Greene pitched well, but suffered the loss on the mound for the MoonDogs. The right-hander allowed three runs, just two of which were earned, and struck out five over 5.2 innings on the bump. Greene’s only blemish was a two-run homer that just crept over the left field fence off the bat of Karl Sorenson.
Tanner Buenting capped the scoring with an RBI single in the home half of the seventh to extend the Honkers lead to 4-0, where it would stay.
Austin Warner allowed one run in relief of Greene while Cole Stapler came on to toss a scoreless bottom of the eighth, striking out two.
With the loss the MoonDogs fall to an even 5-5 while the Honkers improve to 7-3.
Mankato returns home to Franklin Rogers Field to begin a two-game home series against the Eau Claire Express. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. on Friday night.
You can listen to all the games live on AM 1230 The Fan Mankato with voice of the MoonDogs, Josh Horton. Pre-game show from “The Frank” starts at 6:45.
The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.mankatomoondogs.com
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