DICKINSON, ND — The Mankato MoonDogs picked up a 5-1 win over the Badlands Big Sticks on Monday night behind strong pitching and timely hitting.

After four scoreless innings, Evan Rolbiecki (University of Hawaii) put the MoonDogs on the board with a two-run double in the fifth. Evan Saunders (Oklahoma State University) added a solo home run in the sixth to make it 3-0.

Mankato then scored two insurance runs in the eighth. Cole Clark (UC Irvine) drove in a run before Rolbiecki collected his second RBI of the night.

Nick Johnson (Minnesota State University) earned the win, allowing one run over 6.1 innings while striking out eight. Sam Hall (Texas State University) closed out the final 2.2 innings without allowing a hit and picked up the save.

Rolbiecki led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Saunders and Clark each drove in a run in the victory.

The Mankato MoonDogs will look to dominate the Big Sticks again in Dickinson Tuesday, first pitch is at 7:35pm. 

###

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).