Photo captured by Dylan Engel (Mankato MoonDogs)
Written by: Connor Wachtel
MANKATO, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs edged out the Eau Claire Express 1-0 in a Northwoods League baseball game played at ISG Field, Friday night.
Getting back into the win column, Mankato matched Eau Claire’s record by improving to 7-4 on the season.
Friday’s game at ISG Field concluded as the fourth-fastest game in Northwoods League baseball history at 1:47:01 of time eclipsed from the moment first pitch was thrown until the final out was recorded.
Orlando Salinas (Kansas State) launched his second home run of the season for the first and only run of the game during the second inning. It sailed over the fence in right and into the Dog House Suites at ISG Field to give the MoonDogs their 1-0 lead.
https://twitter.com/MankatoMoonDogs/status/1535415168720588801?s=20&t=Jn0HhgAqc0RsRufX2jh0hg
On the mound for the MoonDogs, Owen Boerema (Northwestern – St. Paul) shoved and improved to 2-0 on the season. He pitched his second eight-inning shutout of the season while allowing just three hits and striking out 10 opposing batters. Tyson Neighbors (Kansas State) pitched the ninth and final inning to pick up his third save of the summer.
Coming down with the loss was Express’ starting arm Ben Shepard (Minnesota Duluth), who now stands with a record of 1-1. Shepard surrendered the lone run, the home run to Salinas in the second inning, as well as four hits.
The MoonDogs and Express rematch Saturday at 6:35 p.m. back at ISG Field in Mankato before both sides head to Eau Claire for a pair of games at Carson Park, Sunday and Monday.
-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.