Willmar, MN — The Mankato MoonDogs traveled to Willmar to face the Stingers on Monday night in the second game of a four-game series, looking for their first win of the season against the Stingers. The 'Dogs came through in all three phases, winning 2-1 in a close game at Bill Taunton Stadium.
Robby Evans (1-0) made his first start of the season for the MoonDogs, and put forth an impressive outing on the mound against the Stingers. Evans (Wichita State) pitched six strong innings for Mankato, scattering seven hits on the night while holding the Stingers to their lone run of the night in the fourth inning, when Eddie Estrada (Minnesota) singled in Devin Foyle (Kansas) to bring Willmar within one run. That's as close as the Stingers would get in the game.
Mankato scattered seven hits as a team, the first of which came from the leadoff hitter in the first inning. Eric Peterson (Minnesota State) homered to left field on the fifth pitch of the game to put the MoonDogs up 1-0 in the first against Willar starter Jonny Ortiz (Nova Southeastern).
During the top of the fourth, Mankato improved their lead for a short period when Bryce Adams (LSU) knocked in Marcus Pingleton (Heartland CC) to go up 2-0 midway through the fourth.
Reece Eddins (Nebraska) made his first appearance for the MoonDogs in the seventh, carrying the 'Dogs the rest of the way. Eddins allowed just one hit over his three innings of work, with Eddie Estrada's single in the ninth being the only base runner allowed. Evans earned the win, while Eddins was credited with his first save of the season. Ortiz was charged with his first loss of 2016.
The MoonDogs will play game three against Willmar on Tuesday at 7:05 PM at Bill Taunton Stadium in Willmar, as Jordan Harms (1-1, 0.90) takes the ball for Mankato against the Stingers' Gage Hutchinson (2-0, 1.63). MoonDogs fans can catch all of the action on The Fan Manakto (103.1 FM & 1230 AM).
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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