Mankato, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs won over the Waterloo Bucks after an impressive performance by MoonDogs’ starting pitcher, Jonathan Ludwig (Minnesota State). Ludwig threw seven innings, eight strikeouts, and only allowed two hits and a walk. From the last out of the third inning into the first out of the fifth inning, Ludwig struck out five straight batters.

The MoonDogs were off to an early start in the first inning when Nick Novak (Angelo State) walked and then stole second. Blaze Glenn (Youngstown State) hit an infield single to the left side which scored Novak for the first run of the game.

Mankato added four runs to their lead in the bottom of the third with four hits and two walks. RJ Teijeiro (UCLA) began the rally by singling to left field that would allow Glenn and Novak to score. Andrew Morales (Angelo State) followed up shortly with a two-RBI double down the right field line.

In the sixth inning Kyle MacDonald (Arkansas State) knocked Waterloo’s second pitcher of a game, Eric Reardon (Rutgers), after an RBI. MacDonald came around to score after two pass balls in the same inning.

Zac Wiley (Bellarmine) made his first relief appearance of the season in the ninth inning for the MoonDogs to close down the game after giving up the only Bucks run of the game.

Josh Ramirez (Washburn) is expected to be the starting pitcher for the MoonDogs in game two against Waterloo tomorrow at The Frank. First pitch is scheduled at 6:05 pm.

##

The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Now in its 25th anniversary season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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 190 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR).  All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit https://northwoodsleague.com/mankato-moondogs/ or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the MoonDogs as your favorite team.