Written by Jacob Toepfer
WATERLOO, Iowa — The Mankato MoonDogs beat the Waterloo Bucks, 11-5, in a Northwoods League baseball game, Monday Night at Riverfront Stadium.
This was the first game of a four-game home-and-home series between the two teams. With the win, the MoonDogs improved to 15-14 on the season, while the Waterloo Bucks fell to 7-20.
The MoonDogs jumped out to a hot start in the first inning by scoring five runs. The MoonDogs loaded the bases before Sean Ross (Indiana State) hit a double to score the first two runs. The double was proceeded by a groundout from Brendan Hord (Evansville) and single from Orlando Salinas (Kanas State) to score the next three runs.
The MoonDogs spent the rest of the day in the driver’s seat, holding the Bucks, who never came within two runs of the Dogs, in check.
Notable days from the offensive output included Boston Merila (Minnesota), batting three-for-four while scoring three runs, and Ross, going two-for-three with three RBI. Brendan Hord (Evansville), Orlando Salinas (Kansas State) and Kai Roberts (Utah) each finished the game with two RBI. Roberts continued his hot hitting ways going two for five with two doubles, and two RBIS.
Miles Garrett (Vanderbilt) started for the MoonDogs going three innings and only allowing two runs. Jarrett Blunt (Nebraska-Omaha) got his first win of the year after reliving Garrett in the fourth inning. He pitched three innings and allowed two earned runs.
The MoonDogs are back in Waterloo tomorrow night at 6:35 at Riverfront Stadium to rematch the Bucks before the series heads to Mankato for the final two games. Drew Buhr (Bellarmine) will be on the bump for the MoonDogs, looking to get his third win of the season, Tuesday night.
-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.