MoonDogs Earn First 2016 Victory at The Frank

The game was in danger of even getting started, however, as just hours before the game The Frank was slammed with a rain and hail storm causing just over a half hour delay to the start of the contest.

Once finally underway the MoonDogs and starter Josh Matheson got out to a rough start, as they allowed the Express to plate two runs in the top of the first.

The MoonDogs were quick to bite back, however, scoring two themselves in their first team at bat. The key play of that inning was an RBI triple from Marcus Pingleton, who would also be driven in by teammate Chase Hamilton the next at-bat.

Matheson would roll after his shaky start, allowing just one more run in his final 5 innings, exiting the game with a line of 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, and 3 BB.

The MoonDogs would take the lead in the fourth inning when they were able to plate three additional runs off of Express pitching.

They would not look back after that, adding two more again in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings. The MoonDogs’ run in the eighth came thanks to a moonshot by Bryce Adams that landed far over the left field fence.

Brick Paskiewicz would enter in the ninth to end the game for Mankato, as they grabbed the first MoonDogs’ victory at The Frank this season. Matheson would earn the victory, his second of the season.

The MoonDogs will be back at Franklin Rogers Park tomorrow, hoping to complete a sweep of the Eau Claire Express. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the gate, in their office at 1221 Caledonia Street, or online at www.mankatomoondogs.com

###

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