Rochester, MN — Jake Shepski had an award winning night at Mayo Field in Rochester for the Mankato MoonDogs, who took the first game of Thursday night's double header in blowout fashion, 17-0, but ended up dropping the second game 9-5 to the Rochester Honkers.
The MoonDogs turned in their best offensive performance of the season in the game one make up game against the Honkers. Mankato took the field as the home team at Mayo Field, and played like it. Jake Shepski led the MoonDogs offense in game one, as he went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Overall, the 'Dogs offense put up gawdy numbers, stroking 18 total hits which manufactured 17 runs on the evening.
Game one was also dominated by pitching. In his second quality start against Rochester, Ricky Digrugilliers took the ball and went 6.0 innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four. The two walks Digrugilliers allowed were the first two of the season from the righty out of Western Illinois. Mankato would go on to shut out the Honkers in game one by a final of 17-0.
Game two was a completely different story. The MoonDogs were able to get two runs in the top half of the first inning, but were answered immediately as Rochester returned fire in the bottom half of the inning by tying the game. Things would remain that way until the third, when MoonDogs' pitching would walk five straight hitters, with all five eventually coming around to score.
The Honkers took a 7-2 lead and ran with it. Starting pitcher Houston Glad settled down nicely for Rochester, hurling 6.0 innings while allowing just two runs to cross for Mankato. The Honkers would add runs in the fourth and fifth innings while shutting the Mankato offensive efforts down to turn it into a 9-2 ballgame.
In the seventh and final inning, the 'Dogs would plate three runs of their own, but it would be too little too late. The rally was squashed and the Honkers went on to win, 9-5.
The MoonDogs will head back to Franklin Rogers Park on Friday to being a three-game homestand, hosting the Eau Claire Express. Tickets are still availible and can be purchased at the gate, in their office on Caledonia Street, or online at www.mankatomoondogs.com
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The Northwood’s League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 23-year old summer collegiate 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 150 Northwood’s 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable via the Northwood’s League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com
The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwood’s League. Playing its 23nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwood’s 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 150 Northwood’s 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwood’s League Website. For more information, visit www.mankatomoondogs.com
