Eau Claire, WI – The Mankato MoonDogs bested the Eau Claire Express 9-0 Friday night, taking six of eight against Eau Claire in the season series.
The MoonDogs plated a run on a CJ Huntley (Indiana State) solo homerun in the second, giving starter Nathan Hickey (Tarleton State) all the support he would need.
Hickey carried a no hitter into the seventh inning, allowing a single with no one out in the frame to end the bid. Hickey registered his fifth win of the summer, allowing the lone hit while striking out eight.
Mankato scored two more in the sixth after an error brought home a pair. Kenton Crews (Evansville) put the game out of reach in the eighth, smacking a grand slam to give the MoonDogs a commanding nine run lead.
Garrett Mitchell (UCLA) extended his hitting streak to 14 games, driving in one while stealing two bases.
Ryan Duffy (Minnesota) and Matt Arens (Cal Poly) relieved Hickey and finished the game, throwing two perfect innings.
Mankato advances to the playoffs with a win Saturday or a Willmar Stingers win over the Rochester Honkers.
The MoonDogs play host to the La Crosse Loggers Saturday for the penultimate game of the regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PM.