By: Connor Wachtel

Mankato, Minn. — A big eighth-inning surge got the Mankato MoonDogs a 5-2 win and series split with the Waterloo Bucks, Friday.

A sacrifice fly tied the game, 2-2, in the eighth. After that, a bases-loaded walk and clutch, pinch-hit double by Evan Berkey secured the MoonDogs 13th win of the summer. Dylan Phillips shut the door in the ninth to secure his first win in relief after moving to the mound from first in the eighth.

 

 

A pair of RBI singles in the first and third hit by Cameron Thompson to score Jalen Smith put the Bucks up 2-0 after the top of the third.

The deficit was cut in half in the sixth by MoonDogs left fielder, Adam LaRock. Despite it being in the form of a groundout Phillips still scored. It shrunk the Bucks lead to 2-1 through six.

LaRock tied the game, 2-2, in the eighth when he hit a sacrifice fly to deep right center. Two batters later, Danny Borgstrom gave the Dogs their first lead with a bases-loaded walk. In the next at bat, Evan Berkey made his first appearance of the game felt. Pinch hitting, Berkey roped a double into the gap to score a pair and put the MoonDogs up, 5-2.

Phillips came back out for the ninth to pitch, after moving to the hill in the eighth, and secured his first win of the season.

 

 

The box score read an even, 7-7, battle in the hits column and perfect game in the field for both sides with no errors in Friday’s game.

The MoonDogs starting arm, Deylen Miley, had a no decision. The right hander went six complete innings, allowed two runs on five hits, walked three and struck out six. Phillips moved to the mound in the eighth in pursuit of the win and got it. He gave up one hit and struck out a pair. 

 

 

Waterloo’s starter was Duncan Davitt, who went six complete innings. Davitt gave up five hits and a run while walking three and striking out six. The loss went to Zach Button (1-2). In relief, Button surrendered two hits and four runs in the eighth as part of his two-inning appearance. He also walked and struck out two.

For tonight’s box score click HERE.

Tomorrow, the Mankato MoonDogs (13-18) embark on a new series with the Rochester Honkers (5-21). The first game of the two-day, home-and-home series begins at Mayo Field in Rochester, Minn., at 6:05 p.m.

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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.