MANKATO, MINN – The Mankato MoonDogs dropped a 9-4 game to the Badlands Big Sticks on Tuesday night at ISG Field.
Badlands struck early with two runs in the first inning and added to its lead throughout the game, finishing with nine runs on nine hits.
The MoonDogs got on the board in the second when Danny Rollins (Southeastern (IA) CC) drove in a run. Mankato’s biggest inning came in the sixth, scoring three runs behind an RBI from Rollins, a run-scoring play from Noah Libed (Grossmont CC), and Landon Williams’ (University of Houston) first home run of the season.
Rollins led the MoonDogs offense, going 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while Anthony Avalos (Houston Christian University) finished 2-for-4. Williams, Charlie Buckles (Florida State University), Peyton Dickens (University of Houston), and Cole Clark (UC Irvine) each added a hit.
Nicholas Robb (Grand Canyon University) took the loss after working six innings, allowing six runs while striking out two. Ian Reid (Howard CC) added three strikeouts in two innings of relief.
The MoonDogs will look to even the series Wednesday night when they host the Big Sticks at ISG Field with the first pitch at 6:35 pm.
###
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in developing elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 32nd season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 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 410 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TOR), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (NYM).
