Alexandria, MN–  Grant Hamilton struck out a game-high eight Alexandria Blue Anchors, but it wouldn’t be enough as Alexandria overpowers the MoonDogs 6-2, Friday evening at Knute Nelson Memorial Park.

Alexandria (1-3) was also anchored by pitching, as Drew Hasler (1-0) took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning before Brett “Boomer” Synek broke it up with a long double. That hit would also be the beginning of the end for Hasler, as he would go seven innings allowing two runs on two hits with just one walk and one strikeout.

Steve Sada would lead the Blue Anchors’ in hitting, striking two hits including a double while scoring two runs and collecting an RBI. Kyle Weston would lead the MoonDogs with two hits, as well as collecting Mankato’s lone RBI.

Both teams would commit two errors in the field, with Alexandria shortstop Dane Hutcheon collecting both for the Blue Anchors. Grant Hamilton and Boomer Synek were charged with errors for the MoonDogs.

Craig Nennig, who joined the team Wednesday morning from Ohio State, would go to the plate twice for the MoonDogs in his first game in uniform. Nennig would enter as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning for Jack Czeszewski and played for Alexandria last season.

Drew Hasler would pick up the win for Alexandria while MoonDogs starter Matt McHugh would be charged with the loss after just one inning of work. McHugh faced seven batters in the first, allowing 2 earned runs on three hits while issuing 2 walks. Blake Stockert, the Alexandria native, would strike out two on his way to his first save of the season.

The MoonDogs will try for their first win of the season on Sunday, as they go for the split with the Blue Anchors. First pitch will be at 5:05. The MoonDogs will return to Mankato for Monday’s home game at The Frank to face the Wilmar Stingers for the first time this season, as the first 1,000 fans will receive a 2015 MoonDogs magnet schedule.

“The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, 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 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website."