By: Connor Wachtel

Willmar, Minn. — Five multi-run innings got the Mankato MoonDogs their second consecutive win and a sweep of the Willmar Stingers after a 14-7 win, Wednesday.

MoonDogs shortstop, Evan Berkey, launched the eventual game-winning hit, a three-run home run to left, in the fourth to extend the MoonDogs lead, 9-3. Mankato rode Berkey’s second home run of the summer until the end to win 14-7.

A big opening frame for the MoonDogs put them up four. Dylan Phillips drove in the Dogs first pair of runs with a base knock. Three batters later, Adam LaRock doubled to score Phillips. The scoring rounded out in the four-run first inning for the MoonDogs when Tommy Beres drew out a bases-loaded free pass. Jake Thompson walked in for the score and the MoonDogs held a 4-0 lead after the first.

The Stingers cut the deficit in half when Chase Stanke picked up where he finished off Tuesday, with another home run to right. It was a leadoff solo home run that made it 4-1. Willmar’s Zane Denton added another, slapping an RBI single to make 4-2 in the second inning

In the third, Danny Borgstrom hit a sacrifice fly and Zach Gilles had an RBI single to add a pair of insurance runs. The Stingers got one back in the bottom half. The score was 6-3 through three at Bill Taunton Stadium.

Berkey made it 9-3 with one swing of the bat in the fourth. He ultimately had the game-winning hit with he his three-run home run over the leftfield fence. It marked his second home run of the summer.

 

 

In the fifth, the Dogs kept it going with another pair of runs. Each run scored on an RBI double. The first was came off Michael Curialle’s bat. The second was via Phillips, who scored Curialle with the two-bagger hit to the deepest part of the yard. After the Stingers put up another run, The MoonDogs held an 11-4 lead as the fifth finished in Willmar.

Another run came across for the Dogs in the eighth when Gilles singled to score LaRock, making it 12-4. The Stingers answered with three runs in the bottom half of the eighth to make it 12-7.

The Dogs scored twice more in the ninth and held on in the bottom half to secure a 14-7 win, marking Mankato’s second win in a row.

Despite outhitting the visiting MoonDogs, 14-10, the Stingers fell victim of the Sweep and Mankato got their second straight win. The MoonDogs had two errors to the Stingers trio of miscues in the field.

 

 

Austin Brown (1-0) got his first win, Wednesday. Brown pitched the eighth inning and was perfect. AJ Wood was the MoonDogs’ starter and went four innings. He was hit off seven times and allowed four runs in the no decision. Wodd struck out two along the way.

The losing pitcher was Willmar’s starting arm, Jack Zigan (1-1), after he went two-thirds of the opening frame. Zigan allowed three hits and four runs (three earned) while walking three.

For tonight’s box score click HERE.

Tomorrow, the Mankato MoonDogs (12-17) are back at Franklin Rogers Park to take on the Waterloo Bucks (20-10) at 6:35 p.m. in Mankato, Minn.

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The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 26^th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 230 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and MLB All-Star Jordan Zimmermann (DET). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.mankatomoondogs.com 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.