Photo captured by Dylan Engel (Mankato MoonDogs)
By Jacob Toepfer
La Crosse, WI- The Mankato MoonDogs lost game one of their final series of the season to the La Crosse Loggers. The final score of the Northwoods league baseball was five to one, in a game that was played in just under three hours.
The MoonDogs with the loss have an overall 39-28 record, and have a second half record of 18- 12. With the loss Mankato’s road woes continue as they are now 14-17 in road games. La Crosse with the victory increase their second half record to 15-18, and the Loggers have an overall record to 31-36.
Dustin Crenshaw (Grand Canyon) had another fantastic day at the plate, being only a double shy of the cycle, going three for five in the game. Easton Fritcher (Minnesota) was the only other MoonDog with a hit, going two for five at the plate.
The MoonDogs broke out to a one to nothing lead in the top of the first. Fritcher singled and Crenshaw tripled him home later in the inning. It took until the top of the ninth till Mankato could muster up another run.
After that leadoff run in the first for Mankato it was all La Crosse until the ninth. They responded right away with one of their own in the first. Then proceeded to score two more in the third and one in the sixth. They also added what turned out to be a deciding run in the eighth off a solo home run.
Mikey Gottschalk (Minnesota State) got on in the ninth via a leadoff error. He later scored on another miscue from the Loggers. That blunder gave Crenshaw another at bat and he took full advantage. Hitting his second home run in the last three days. The MoonDogs couldn’t capitalize on the momentum as the next batter flied out to end the game.
Noah Meffert (Gustavos) made the start for Mankato having a solid outing going five innings, striking out three and giving up four earned runs. Owen Little (Southwest Tennessee) and Nate Schubert (Bethany Lutheran) relieved him going a combined three innings striking out five and giving up on earned run.
The final game of the season for Mankato will be Saturday night in La Crosse. First pitch will be at 6:35 as the MoonDogs look to get win number 40.
-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. Now in its’ 29th 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, 300 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 2019/2021 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 and on ESPN+. 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.