The Mankato MoonDogs continued their hot streak in the second half by improving to 3-0 with a 6-5 thrilling victory on a beautiful Independence Day at Carson Park in Eau Claire, WI.

The MoonDogs offense got out to a hot start as Tyler Sullivan and Brett Synek hit back to back singles to give the MoonDogs runners on the corners with nobody out in the top of the first. Peter Maris took advantage of the situation with a sacrifice fly to left field. Tanner Rockwell then came up and roped a two-run single down to right field to cap the three run inning for the MoonDogs.

Eau Claire got one back in the home half to tighten the MoonDogs lead to just 3-1 after one. However, Eric Schenck-Jablinkse hit a line drive three-run homer into the right field seats to extend the Mankato lead to 6-1 heading into the home half of the third.

The scoring quieted down until the Express picked up two runs in the seventh on a Peter Van Ganzen two-RBI single.

Eau Claire made things interesting, putting two on with just one out in the ninth, but Tyler Mark gathered himself and struck out the next two batters, including getting Jeff Hendrix to fan on a 94 mph fastball.

Taylor Elman was solid on the mound in the start for the MoonDogs. The right-hander went six plus innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and struck out one. Mitchell Traver did allow two inherited runners to score, but he finished the night with two scoreless innings and one strikeout.

Andy Davis suffered the loss, allowing six runs, five of which were earned, on five seven hits and walked one. Peter Henron and Taylor Duree combined for six scoreless innings of relief for the Express.

The MoonDogs and Express conclude their two-game series Saturday evening at 6:35 at Carson Park. Blake Battenfield takes the bump for the MoonDogs while Jeremey Bagnall gets the ball for the Express.