By: Connor Wachtel

MANKATO, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs (43-21) took down the Bismarck Larks (28-36) to sweep the three-game series by a final score of 8-0 and win their fifth consecutive contest, Tuesday night at ISG Field.  

 

A pair of four-run frames in the third and eighth inning, as well as dominant pitching from Mankato’s pitching staff, were the highlight of the MoonDogs’ 8-0 victory over the visiting Larks, Tuesday evening. MoonDogs third baseman Jack Costello (San Diego) thrived in the contest, sporting a 3-for-5 line with two runs scored and a pair of run-scoring doubles for a total of 5 RBI. 

 

The MoonDogs first offensive surge of the evening came in the third inning when Costello scored a pair before Evan Berkey (Evansville) and Max Crabbe (Texas State) each drove in a run. All three of the MoonDogs’ infielders scored the runs with RBI doubles. After three innings at ISG Field, the MoonDogs led the Larks, 4-0. 

 

In the eighth inning, Costello struck again for another RBI double that cleared the bases, this time for three runs. Two batters later, Crabbe added a second RBI to his resume with a groundout that scored Costello from third base to make it an eight-run ballgame. 

 

The game ultimately finished up as an 8-0 decision with the MoonDogs outhitting the Larks, 9-5. For the third time in the series, the MoonDogs were perfect on the defensive end with no errors while the Larks dawned a pair of defensive miscues. 

 

Earning the win to move to 1-1 while making his first start of the summer was the MoonDogs’ hard-throwing righty, Thomas Bruss (Augustana). Mankato’s second-year veteran arm threw five innings of shutout baseball while allowing three hits, two walks and recording four strikeouts along the way. 

 

The Mankato MoonDogs resume their final homestand of the summer on Wednesday when they play host to the Duluth Huskies (27-37) with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch 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.