By: Connor Wachtel

MANKATO, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs (17-8) won their third straight game 5-1 over the La Crosse Loggers (12-15), Saturday at ISG Field 

 

Adrian Torres’ (Grand Canyon) three-run home run in the third inning provided an edge for the MoonDogs to take down the Loggers. It was the eventual game-winning hit.  

The Loggers grabbed the game’s first lead on Saturday with a first-inning RBI single. The MoonDogs responded with five runs in the third, including Torres’ third homer of the season, to take the lead, 5-1. 

 

Solid pitching saw the 5-1 lead hold through the end as the MoonDogs moved to a 14-1 record at home this season. Hits wrapped up 8-6 in favor of Mankato, Saturday night. La Crosse had the only error in the contest. 

 

MoonDogs starting arm Luke Young (Midland College) locked down the win for Mankato to move to a 3-0 record this summer. Young threw five complete innings en route to the win. He allowed five hits for one run, walked one and struck out nine Logger hitters. In relief, Caleb Heuertz (Midland College) pitched back-to-back scoreless no-hit innings. He walked and struck out one. Carson Hamro (UCLA) worked in the eighth and allowed just a double before Peyton Jones (Cal State Fullerton) worked a shutout inning in the final frame. 

 

La Crosse’s starting pitcher Tony Roca came down with the loss, Saturday. He was hit off six times for five runs, walked three and struck out two. 

The MoonDogs rematch the Loggers at 5:05 p.m., Sunday at ISG Field. 

 

-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.