Photo captured by Dylan Engel (Mankato MoonDogs)
Written by: Jacob Toepfer
LA CROSSE, Wis. — The Dogs exploded for 20 runs on Friday night at Copeland Park in La Crosse. They ended up axing the Loggers 20-5 in a Northwoods League Baseball Game for their first road win and fourth overall victory on the season to improve to 4-1.
Friday’s ballgame marked the MoonDogs’ first time posting 20 or more runs in a single game since they defeated the Thunder Bay Border Cats 27-5 at home on Aug. 3, 2013.
With the loss, the Loggers record is now 1-4. They have now dropped four straight.
The Dogs wasted no time getting on the board, scoring two runs right away in the first inning off singles from both Nick Altermatt (Minnesota State – Mankato), and Orlando Salinas Jr. (Kansas State).
Then the top of the order game up in the third and produced five runs. Four of them came off a grand slam from Salinas Jr., who totaled seven RBI on the day.
The Dogs picked up three more runs in the fourth with Salinas Jr. getting his sixth and seventh RBI of the night. Derek Shoen (UMary) singled to drive in the third run for his first RBI of the night during the fourth inning as well.
The Dogs were held in check until the ninth inning when they batted around their order and scored 10 runs in the inning. It was capped off by a three-run blast by Shoen that made it 20-5, where it ultimately stood.
Other notable nights were Garret Williams (Midland College) who went three-for-three with three doubles and two RBI. Luke Napleton (Quincy) and Altermatt also finished the night with two RBI.
Kai Roberts (Utah) and Dominick McIntyre (North Alabama) also contributed to the run column, getting an RBI each.
The pitching staff was also solid, with starter John Lundgren (University Of North Alabama) going five strong and striking out three batters. He also worked particularly well under pressure, working out of jams on numerous occasions. He got his first win of the season to improve to 1-0 on the summer.
Thomas Bruss (Augustana) came in for relief work in the sixth and seventh and held the Loggers scoreless while striking out a pair.
Michael Gurka (Minnesota) and Timmy Reeve (San Joaquin Delta College) combined to pitch two innings to close out the game.
Russell Derbyshire (Mineral Area College) got the loss for the Loggers, only throwing three innings and giving up seven runs with five of them being earned, resulting in his first loss of the season.
The MoonDogs are back in La Crosse, Saturday night for the two-game series finale before finishing up their road trip in St. Cloud, Sunday night. The Dogs will start Donovan Schultz (Evansville) tomorrow on the hill for his Moondogs’ debut. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m. at Copeland Park.
-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’ 28th 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 280 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 (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist 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 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. 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.