The Mankato MoonDogs kept the good times rolling on Sunday afternoon, as they scored 11
unanswered runs in a 11-5 victory over the St. Cloud Rox at Joe Faber Field.
The MoonDogs got plenty of offense once again, as the NWL’s hottest offense has now scored
72 runs in their last seven contests, spanning the entire win streak. They also got solid pitching to
keep the Rox at bay on the afternoon.
St. Cloud got on the board first. After loading the bases, a sacrifice fly would score the game’s
first run and then an RBI single gave them a 2-0 lead. This was the first time in 10 games that the
MoonDogs have been scored on first.
However, that early lead for the Rox would not last. With two outs, Mikey Gottschalk (MSU-
Mankato) and James Agabedis (Tulane) would walk, and that was followed up with an eight
pitch at-bat in which Ty Rumsey (Evansville) was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Then, Dustin
Crenshaw (Grand Canyon) ripped a two-run single to tie the game. The line continued to move
as Kip Fougerousse (Evansville) ripped an RBI single to give Mankato the lead. Following a
pitching change, Ryan Nicholson (Cincinnati) looped a two-run single before Max Williams
Florida State capped off the incredible six-run inning with an RBI double that made the score 6-
2.
That two-run single was not the last that would be heard from Crenshaw, as he crushed a solo
home run to right field in the fifth inning, and then Hunter Faildo (Hawai’i) would make it an 8-2
game with an RBI knock an inning later.
Jack Anker (Fresno State) got the start for the black and orange, and after a tough first inning,
settled in and dominated. The right-hander would toss six innings, retiring eight batters in a row
at one point, allowing just two runs while striking out seven, and would earn his third victory of
the season.
The MoonDogs continued the offensive barrage in the eighth inning, as they scored a run on
another fielder’s choice by Faildo, then on an error, and finally a bases-loaded walk by Crenshaw
to extend the lead to 11-2. The Rox would get one in the eighth inning and two in the ninth
inning to keep it interesting, but it ultimately didn’t matter as Mankato won with ease, 11-5.
The MoonDogs will go for win number eight in a row tomorrow night at ISG field, once again
against the Rox. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.
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’ 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 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 Rockers as your favorite team.
