MoonDogs Split Wednesday Doubleheader with Honkers at Mayo Field

The MoonDogs grabbed game one 6-3 with leverage from a four-run second inning. Alex Baeza (Hawaii) was strong with the bat in game one, sporting a one-hit line with a double that scored the game’s first run. It was part of two-RBI game in which he scored one run as well.

Mankato outhit Rochester 11-8 in the first contest, despite having the game’s only error.

In relief, Kolby Gartner (St. Thomas) was chosen for the win, his first of the summer, after MoonDogs’ starting arm Jarret Krzyzanowski (Nova Southeastern) finished his outing just shy of completing a fifth frame. Gartner struck out one during his inning and two-thirds of scoreless work. Carson Hamro (UCLA) pitched the ninth, walking one and striking out a pair, for his first save of the season.

Rochester starter Brendan Medoro was tabbed with the loss after he threw four innings, Wednesday. He surrendered 10 hits and six runs (five earned) while allowing a walk and striking out two.

GAME TWO

The MoonDogs and Honkers second game was a back-and-forth battle at Mayo Field. Evan Berkey (Cal State Bakersfield) launched a solo home run in the second, Adam Fogel (Hawaii) followed suit with a two-run blast in the fifth and after the lead was surrendered, Austin Garrett (Kansas State) doubled down the line in left during the eighth to tie the game at five. However, the Honkers answered quick by scoring three runs in the next half inning to eventually secure an 8-5 win.

The Honkers outhit the MoonDogs in game two, 11-9. Mankato had a pair of errors in the field to Rochester’s one.

Michael Portela got the win in relief for Rochester. Portela pitched 3.2 innings to move to 1-0 with the win. Patrick Williams secured his first save of the summer in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning.

After the MoonDogs tied the game in the eighth, Davonte Butler (Cal State Bakersfield) found himself in line for the loss allowing three runs in the eighth to fall to 0-1 in 2021.

The Mankato MoonDogs return home to take on the Minnesota Mud Puppies to embark on a four-game homestand at ISG Field. First pitch on Thursday is slated for 6:35 p.m.

-DOGS-

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’ 27th 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.