La Crosse, WI — The Mankato MoonDogs looked to finish their road trip with a sweep of the Loggers and stay in contention in a down-to-the-wire race for the North Divison's first-half championship, but La Crosse had other ideas. The Loggers got out to an early lead that proved to be too much for Mankato to overcome, losing the game by a final of 6-2.
The La Crosse Loggers got out to an early lead against MoonDogs starter Cooper Powell (Nevada), knocking the lefty out of the game in the first inning due to pitch count (35). Mason McCoy (Iowa) singled to lead off the game for La Crosse, being driven home by Cullen Large's (William Mary) double. Large would score on a single by Kyle Plantier (UC Santa Barbara) for the second run of the game, as Powell struck out Jake Hirabayashi (UCLA) with his 35th and final pitch to end the inning.
The second inning wouldn't provide any relief for the MoonDogs, with La Crosse plating three more runs. Griffin Conine (Duke) hit a huge home run to right field off of MoonDogs' reliever Zach Engelken (Nebraska) to put the Loggers up 5-0 early. La Crosse would plate one more in the third to take a commanding 6-0 lead.
Engelken would work until the bottom of the fifth without allowing a run after the third. Cody O'Brien (Austin Peay) relieved Engelken and started quite a run. The right hander would retired nine straight Loggers, while allowing a lone baserunner aboard via hit-by-pitch.
Mankato rallied in the seventh, bringing home Jake Roberts (Gonzaga) who singled, and Gavin Wehby (Nicholls State) who worked a walk. Mankato would leave the bases loaded, though, with Randy Labaut (Arizona) retiring Jake Shepski (Notre Dame) and Alex Tucker (Nicholls State) to end the inning.
Cason Sherrod (Texas A&M) earned his first win of the season (1-1), while Cooper Powell (1-2) took the loss for the MoonDogs. Mankato will try to get back in the win column back at Franklin Rogers Park on Monday, as they welcome the Thunder Bay Border Cats to celebrate independence day. First pitch will be at 6:05 PM and can be heard on The Fan Mankato.
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The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23rd season of summer collegiate baseball, 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 150 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 (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visitwww.mankatomoondogs.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store and set the MoonDogs as your favorite team.
