Mankato, MN – A three run eighth inning carries the Mankato MoonDogs (12-11) to a 5-2 victory over the Waterloo Bucks (13-11) in front of a crowd of 1,101 Thursday night at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato, Minnesota.

Paul Pannaccione would knock in the eventual game winner on a fielding error in a part of a three run eighth inning that also saw Craig Nennig drive in a run. Nennig finished 1-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored.

Sulliam Rios-Reyes would score two of the MoonDogs five runs going 1-for-4 in the game.

Getting the start for the MoonDogs was Rhett Rapshus who worked 5 2/3 innings only allowing two runs and struck out three.

Those would be the only two runs allowed by the MoonDogs pitching staff as Jordan Scheftz, Chris Butcher and Ricky Ramirez would all see the mound in relief. Ramirez would pick up the save, in dramatic fashion by striking out the side in the top of the ninth.

The MoonDogs will hit the road north to take on the Eau Claire Express on Friday at 7:05pm and Saturday at 6:35pm, returning to The Frank on Sunday where they will take on the Rochester Honkers for Faith Night fundraising for the Backpack Food Program. A nondenominational worship service begins at 4:15pm, first pitch 6:05pm. 

“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."