Photo captured by Dylan Engel
Written by: Jacob Toepfer
ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Mankato MoonDogs lost to the Rochester Honkers, 8-7, in a Northwoods League baseball game played at Mayo Field, Thursday night.
Suffering their third loss in the last four games, the MoonDogs now stand with a 6-4 record. The Honkers improved to 4-6 with the win.
The MoonDogs carried a 7-5 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning before the Honkers piled on three runs to take an 8-7 lead. In the ninth inning, the MoonDogs rallied with a runner in scoring position but ultimately had the tying run stranded at second to end the game.
The MoonDogs’ eighth-inning rally started with two runs off a Sean Ross’ (Indiana State) single. Ross scored Zach Stroh (Butler CC) and Charles McAdoo (San Jose State) who reached base off a walk and single with one out in the inning.
The Honkers rallied to score three runs in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead that ultimately handed them the win. Theo Hardy (San Jose State) put a ball in play that was botched by Mankato’s second baseman, allowing Sabastian Murillo (Cal State – Long Beach) to score from third. Three-run frame ended with Will Asby (Sacramento City) putting another batted ball in play that fought the MoonDogs’ shortstop to score a pair. After eight innings of play, the Honkers grasped an 8-7 lead over the MoonDogs.
The Dogs were paced offensively by Ross and Boston Merlia (Minnesota). Merlia went two-for-three on the night along with two RBI. He also had two stolen bases as well. Ross’ two RBI brought his season total to 11.
Drew Buhr (Bellarmine) started the game for the MoonDogs pitched five strong innings. He gave up his first run in the fourth before allowing two more in the fifth. He finished the day with a line of six hits, three earned runs and five strikeouts. The loss went to MoonDogs’ right-handed pitcher Thomas Bruss (Augustana), who is now 0-1, after he surrendered the lead in the eighth inning.
The MoonDogs return home Friday to host their first meeting with the Eau Claire Express of the season. The Express own a 7-3 record and are coming off a pair of victories over the Minnesota Mud Puppies. Owen Boerema (Northwestern – St. Paul) is scheduled to pitch to open the two-game series for the MoonDogs at 6:35 p.m., Friday night at ISG Field.
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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.
