-Willmar, MN
By: Mitchell Speltz
The Willmar Stingers (21-20) took care of business against the Mankato MoonDogs (17-24), 14-3 in the series finale to nail down a two-game sweep.
The MoonDogs got off to a quick start when Michael Curialle launched his second home run of the season in the top of the first to give Mankato an early 1-0 lead.
But the Stingers would get hot quickly and score five-run in both the bottom of the first and second to run away with 10-1 lead.
Mankato would attempt to gain some momentum back when Curialle belted his second home run of the game in the third inning to make it a 10-2 game.
However, the Stingers would add four more runs over the next two innings to increase their lead to 14-2.
Mitchell Massino would provide a big swing in the sixth inning as he hit his first Northwoods League homerun for the MoonDogs. The third solo home run of the game for Mankato made it 14-3 as that would finish out the scoring for the night.
Andre Granillo was a bright spot for the MoonDogs on the mound as he pitched a season-best four innings, collecting nine strikeouts while not allowing a run.
Mankato will finish the 2020 season in Waterloo on Thursday as they face the Bucks at 6:35 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’ 26th 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.
