MANKATO-Minn. The Mankato MoonDogs bats were hot in the early innings of Thursday night’s game and they went on to win big 19-3 at Franklin Rogers Park.
After allowing a pair of runs in the top of the first, the MoonDogs took the lead back in the bottom of inning one. Tyler Sullivan led off with a single and Brett Synek followed with a walk. Shortstop Peter Maris drove in Sullivan from second on his single to shallow right center field and back to back walks from Honkers starting pitcher Ryan Bower brought in another run. Brinn Bell hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, bringing in Maris and giving the MoonDogs the lead, which they would easily hold onto for the rest of the game.
Mankato scored six runs in the second and another eight in the fourth and totaled eighteen hits on the night to bring their total to nineteen runs. Austin Warner picked up the win on the mound for the MoonDogs going five innings and allowing a pair of runs on seven hits including two walks and three strikeouts. Joe Hawks pitched three innings of relief and Connor Miller came in to pitch the ninth, giving up one run.
With the win, the MoonDogs improve their second half record to (19-14) but remain a game and a half behind the Waterloo Bucks who also won their game Thursday against Alexandria 10-2. With three games to play, the MoonDogs are now in a tie for second place in the north with Willmar. Duluth moves to third place at (18-15) with their loss on Thursday night.
The MoonDogs will be back in action tomorrow night at Franklin Rogers Park for their final home game of the season. Post-game fireworks are in store for fans that come out to the game. You can also listen to the remaining games this season on Oldies 100.5 with the voice of the MoonDogs Josh Horton. Mankato will end the regular season with two road games at Carson Park on Saturday and Sunday against the Eau Claire Express.
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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