MANKATO, MN—In the final game of a three-game home stand for the Mankato MoonDogs, the Willmar Stingers came into Franklin Rogers Park hoping to spoil their attempt at a perfect home stand at The Frank.
In an up-and-down battle for both teams, when all was said and done the Stingers were able to leave town with the 5-3 victory in a game that took 13 innings and over four hours to decide.
The marathon-like game was the first of what will be four in a row between these teams and it began with the Stingers taking the lead early scoring two runs off MoonDogs’ starter Gabe Constantine. Constantine left the game after 5 innings pitched, allowing two runs on 5 hits while striking out none.
The MoonDogs took their first lead in the sixth with the help of their newest additions to the squad, catcher Fernando Villegas and infielder John Fallon. With a couple of ducks on the pond, Villegas was able to rip a double driving in two MoonDogs, including Fallon, to give Mankato the 3-2 lead.
The Stingers tied it in the eighth and were able to break that tie five innings later thanks to some defensive mishaps by the MoonDogs, who allowed two runs to come in and the hitter to make it all the way to third on a bunt.
The MoonDogs loaded the bases in both the 11th and 13th innings but to no avail, unable to get anyone in during either opportunity. Cooper Powell came in for the 13th inning and received the loss, his first of the season.
The MoonDogs will be on the road the next two days taking on Willmar both days and then back to The Frank on Wednesday to begin another three-game home stand.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the gate, in their office at 1221 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
