Mankato, MN – The Mankato MoonDogs would again use late inning heroics and clutch hitting Saturday night at Franklin Rogers Park in Mankato to walk off and upend the Express by a score of 8-7 in front of a crowd of 1,008.

The Eau Claire Express (16-20, 29-41) would not trail in the contest until the final at bat as they put up six runs in the first four innings. In the ninth inning, the Mankato MoonDogs (14-21, 32-39) would threaten with a pair of runners on and only one out. In would step Brinn Bell who would tie the ballgame on one swing on a deep double to left center tying the game at seven. Kyle Weston would again be at the dish for a MoonDog walk off as he lined a ball into right allowing Bell to score from second.

Every MoonDog in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit. David Metzgar would again lead the way going 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Bell would go 2-for-4 with three RBI’s. Weston, Eric Schenck-Joblinske, and Christoph Bono would all add two hits in the game. 

Offensively four Express would have multi-hit games. Starting pitcher CJ Eldred (1-4) would work seven innings scattering 10 hits and would only allow one earned run.

The win would go to reliever Kyle Goodbrand (4-3), the loss would be charged to Eau Claire’s Dalton Roach (1-4).

The MoonDogs and Express will square off in the 2015 season finale tomorrow, Sunday, at The Frank. It is Fan Appreciation Night with a Post Game Fireworks Extravaganza presented by Crystal Valley Coop, Radio Mankato, and KEYC. First pitch is 6:05PM, with gates opening at 5:05PM. Tickets can still be purchased online at www.mankatomoondogs.com, over the phone at (507) 625-7047, or at the office located at 1221 Caledonia St. 

"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.”