MANKATO, MINN. – The Mankato MoonDogs broke open a close game with a seven-run seventh inning to defeat the La Crosse Loggers 12-8 on Wednesday night at ISG Field.
Mankato struck first in the second inning when Preston Bonn (North Carolina State University) launched a two-run home run. The MoonDogs added three more runs in the third to build a 5-0 lead.
Anthony Pesci (University of Alabama) was sharp in his first start for Mankato, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing six hits and striking out six.
The Loggers answered with four runs in the fifth to cut the deficit to one, but the MoonDogs responded in a big way two innings later. Mankato sent 13 batters to the plate in the seventh, scoring seven runs on four hits while taking advantage of three walks and a pair of La Crosse errors to extend the lead to 12-4.
Caleb Barnett (University of Alabama) led the offense, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Bonn went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored, while Charlie Longmeier (University of Evansville) scored a game-high three runs and collected two hits. Marvin Montenegro (Florida State University) added two hits, including a double, and drove in two runs.
La Crosse mounted one final rally in the ninth, scoring four runs before Landon Dodge (San Diego State University) recorded the final two outs to secure the victory.
The MoonDogs finished with 13 hits, while their pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts in the win. They will face the Badlands Big Sticks on Thursday 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).